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"EQUIP R.A.A.F.
WITH JETS"
Air Chief On Rocket
Weapons
MELBOURNE, Sept. 13.
Use of supersonic jet air- <*>
craft, most of which would
carry crews, hy the Royal
Australian Air Force was advo-
cated by the Chief of the Air
Staff (Air Marshal Jones) to
day.
He was speaking at the open
ing of the Battle of Britain ex
hibition in Melbourne.
'I may be committing
heresy." he said, "but in my
opinion the effectiveness of
i rockets has been greatly over-
!stated.
! "However, there is a field for
{use of small rockets fired both
from the ground and from the
air."
Air Marshal Jones added that
the function of the armed ser
vices was to prepare for war.
Six-Poinl Target
Aims to be achieved by she
RAAF. in order of importance,
were:—
1. A force of highly trained
and organised permanent per
sonnel as large as practicable
within the financial limits laid
down. -
2. An aircraft industry in
Australia, capable of producing
Australia's requirements in
peace and of expanding to meet
her requirements in war. This
must include adequate provi
sion for research and develop
ment.
3. Full-scale unit equipment
and reserves of the most up-to
date aircraft to meet an emer
gency and for training purposes.
4. Development and reten
tion of the technique of war
by constant practice and ex
ercise.
5. An adequate reserve of
trained personnel which
would include the Citizen Air
Force and suitable men em
ployed in civil aviation.
6. Organisation and estab
lishment of training and main
tenance facilities to back up
such a force.
'These principles have been
ever-observed in formulating a
plan for the RAAF." said Air
Marshal Jones.
"I do not believe that the
high explosive and fire bomb
will be discarded tor some
time."
The exhibition was opened by
the Minister for Air <Mr.
Drakefordl
$