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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1393.PDF
FLIGHT, 16 October 1953 547 SERVICE AVIATION . . . fought out and won over Berlin. It was forgotten that the bombers had delayed the V.l and V.2 attacks for vital months and reduced them to an unpleasant nuisance. The bombers were the only antidote to the V.2. Lord Tedder said that he emphasized all this about the bomber — the offensive component of defence—because he felt it was absolutely essential to remember that purely passive defence with no offensive element was, in fact, no defence at all. In 1944 die Germans were producing more defensive fighters per month than the total British and American production, but they were, in fact, losing the air war and consequently the whole war. Lord Tedder then spoke of new develop ments in aircraft and weapons, but con cluded that all the indications were that in the immediate future it would be more true than ever that the bomber, and there fore the bomb, would get through. This brought him to the subject of the atomic weapon. There were very sincere people, he said, who would ban its manufacture or use. He believed the armoured knights of old wanted to ban the use of gunpowder. He could understand the Russians proposing that the atomic weapon should be banned, since it was the only effective counter- threat which the Western powers could wield as a deterrent. Lord Tedder believed that there were very few people in this country who had more than the vaguest idea as to the fearful potentialities of the atomic weapons now in sight. He regretted that we in this country were not given more of the facts. If our American friends could face up to them, surely we could, and if we were on an equal footing with them in public awareness of the subject we might be of value to one another in arriving at a balanced judgment as to what action to take. He had seen reports that the American authorities were seriously considering put ting the bulk of their defence effort into passive air defence against atomic attack. He himself believed such a policy would be a fatal mistake. He did not think such a defence could be really effective, even at a cost which would (or should) be prohibitive. To adopt such a policy would greatly increase the risk of war, since the deterrent afforded by an atomic bomber force would have been sacrificed. "I am CANADA'S CONTRIBUTION: The scene at the recently constructed NATO air base at Bad Soel- lingen, Germany, on September 26th when the station was officially handed over to the Royal Canadian Air Force for No. 4 Fighter Wing. This fourth fighter wing completes Canada's promised —and very generous—air contribution to NATO. one of those who believe that for some four to five years after the surrender in 1945, aggression was averted by the U.S. atomic bomber force," said Lord Tedder. He continued: "I do not think that the fact that the Russians have now developed their own atomic weapons really lessens that deterrent effect; the fearful counter- threat is still there." This seemed a gloomy picture, but a contest using the atomic weapon would be no duel but rather mutual suicide, and that was scarcely a prospect to encourage aggression. The development of the atomic weapon had brought the world face to face at last with the ultimate realities of war. One of the most remarkable developments since the last war had been the growth of a real sense of mutual responsibility among the free nations, and nowhere more remark able than in the case of the United States, ANTI-SUBMARINE PATROLS: Fairey Fireflies being catapulted from the carrier HM.S. "Theseus' during Exercise Weldfast, recently completed in the Eastern Mediterranean. despite their natural absorption in their own problems and their traditional dis trust of external commitments. Lord Tedder concluded by stating his conviction that this country had a vital part to play in the scientific, technical and political field of the atomic world. If we played our part we could show an example of courage and determination, patience and faith, which would help to inspire the free world and give time for the funda mental human rights of freedom of speech and thought to spread over the whole world—time for truth to prevail. On this issue Lord Tedder agreed with Cromwell: "Let us trust in God and keep our powder dry." The speeches were concluded by Lord Balfour of Inchrye who made an appeal on behalf of the Air League of the British Empire. "Weldfast" Concluded I N the final phase of Exercise "Weldfast," what was believed to be the largest NATO amphibious landing to date was made on die coast of Eastern Macedonia. An "enemy" force, driving down from the north, had pushed Greek defenders southwards and reached the coast at Kavalla. Here an enemy division was con centrated. To support a counter-offensive from the west, the amphibious forces, con sisting of Greek raiding forces, U.S. Marines and a Royal Marine Commando, were landed in Eleftherai Bay, 30 miles west of Kavalla, on October 6th. During the landing the use of "special atomic weapons" was simulated. The assault forces were brought to the beaches by more than 70 ships of the U.S. 6th Fleet, for whom the sea lanes had been kept clear during the preceding phases of the exercise. The convoys were protected by aircraft from H.M.S. Theseus, and long-range shore-based air craft of the U.S. Navy and the R.A.F. kept up constant anti-submarine patrols. Following successful operations on shore, the assault force was re-embarked, and naval forces were withdrawn from the Aegean, bringing the exercise to an end.
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