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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 1824.PDF
JUNE 27, 1940 The EMPIRE AIR ROUTES Effect of Italy1 s Declaration of War ITALY'S declaration of war prevents the Empire airservice following its usual route. In fact, at first itdid more than that—it prevented the Empire air service running. A glance at the accompanying map shows the proximity of Italian territory to the Empire route and it was well known that this route would be abandoned as soon as Mussolini made an " axis " decision. Accordingly, the morning after the declaration the Post- master-General announced that the Empire air mail services had been temporarily suspended. The principal countries affected were Malta, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, India, Ceylon, Burma, Hong Kong, Malaya, Australia, New Zealand, Sudan, East Africa, and South Africa. The Empire boats were taken off the route, and even the link from Hong Kong connecting with the Empire route and K.L.M. at Bangkok ceased operation. The severing of this link cut Europe off from any air communication, even indirect, with Australia, as no use could be made of the Pan- American routes across the Atlantic and Pacific. K.L.M. Arrangements Italy's decision was not, of course, unexpected, and suitable precautions had been taken beforehand. British Overseas Airways have now recommenced a once-weekly operation of the flying boat route between Durban and Sydney via Kenya, Alexandria, Palestine, India and the East Indies. Qantas as usual will look after the Australian end. The New Zealand service, too, continues to run regularly across the Tasman. The regular London-Lisbon sendee via Bordeaux has been suspended since June 18, but contact is maintained by non-stop flights when required. K.L.M. too, were not caught napping and several weeks ago shifted their maintenance depot from Naples to Lydda in Palestine. For three weeks prior to the declaration they had alterejd their time-table to eliminate the overnight stop in Naples and aircralt got in at 12.30 p.m. and were away again by 1.30 p.m. Their service will now run once weekly from Alexandria to Batavia and thence to Sydney, also once weekly, by K.N.I.L.M. Another Way In addition to the Durban-Sydney route, there is another possibility which would be a speedier route between England and Australia. This is the Indian Ocean crossing. Obviously there are several ways which may be taken to reach Mombasa, and once there, the long ocean crossing may be made to Austra'.'.a, landing at Port Hedland on the coast of WerJ :rn Australia or at Darwin in the north. If the Indian Ocean route is to be used later, we must be thankful that it has already been surveyed, and the credit is due in the main to Captain P. G. Taylor for his foresight, energy and perseverance in continually pushing AFRICA D I A. N OCEAN PORTEDI. AND 'AUSTRALIA (RUSSIA FRENCH=WEST=AFRICA: Mombasa The Indian Ocean route This map shows how Italian territories threaten our normalEmpire air route this idea against the usual deadening inertia which is foundblocking the way of every progressive activity. After years of advocating that ths last big ocean of the worldshould be surveyed, he was presented last year with a mag- nificent opportunity when it was found possible to charterthe Archbold Expedition's Consolidated flying boat Guba. The boat was secured after the completion of its work forthis natural history expedition in New Guinea and the cost -vas shared between the Australian and British Govern-ments. The Indian Ocean Route With Captain Taylor in charge for the Australian Government and with an Australian newspaper man aboard, the Guba was navigated and flown by her Ameri- can crew and Captain Taylor from Port Hedland to Mombasa in four stages during June, 1939. The first stage to Cocos Islands was the only one on which everything did not go according to plan, but it was accomplished under complete control and with perfect safety. Weather pre- vented the f-nal location of these small islands even though astronomical navigation had brought the Guba to their vicinity, and the crew wisely decided to fly to Batavia. With better weather, the flight to Cocos was made later with no trouble and the remaining three stages to Chagos, the Seychelles and Mombasa were completed subsequently. The approximate distances involved in the Indian Ocean crossing are : Hedland to Cocos, 1,550 land miles ; Cocos to Chagos, 1,760; Chagos to the Seychelles, 1,190; and the Seychelles to Mombasa, 1,060. The Empire boats are not capable of doing these great distances, but we have other craft available. And, if it is necessary, we have refuelling in the air which, thanks to Sir Alan Cobham and Mr. Langley, has been developed to a very efficient state and can be trans- ferred readily anywhere in the world. Italy's declaration has not caught us unprepared and no day has passed since the beginning of the war without British air liners being in the air. It is of interest that recently the Guba has been offered for sale in U.S.A. complete with all its equipment (which is magnificent) and two spare engines. This seems to be a wonderful opportunity for British Overseas Air- ways to increase its depleted fleet with a very efficient boat.
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