Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-03-11
Lack ofAirports Seen
As Limiting Defense
In an Emergency
Same Shortage Regarded
As Factor Curling Nuzi
Attacks on England
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERTON.

| oil dIGdChS VII EllS AdlAu-HldS pC-
come the factor limiting the amount
of air defense the United States
can provide for critical areas in
this country and throughout the
hemisphere in case of emergency.
Although Germany last August
and September had an air force
which has been estimated as rang
ing in strength from $4,000 all the
way up to 10000 airplanes, it it not
believed the NaZis ever were able
to put more than 5000 planes into
the air at one time in the attacks
on England.
The problem was primarily one
of traffic congestion. An airport
can handle only a certain limited
number of planes per hour, depend
| ing on its size and the extent of
/ its runway system in the case of
heavy bombers. At night or in bad
weather the number that may be
handled decreases considerably. Had
the Germans had additional air
ports available the vigor of their
blow against England undoubtedly
could have been increased very
greatly, and the blitzkrieg and in
vasion might have come off as
scheduled.
Continuous Traffic Stream.
A blitzkrieg, however, calls for
sustained effort on the part of an
air force, and this calls for a con-
tinuous stream of traffic-outgoing
bombers with bomb bays and gaso-
line tanks full, fuel drums filled,
crews fresh: outgoing pursuits with
| tanks and ammunition drums full;
incoming bomberS and pursuits with
supplies exhausted, loading ramps
choked with airplaneS taking on
| fuel, oil, bombs and ammunition,
| the changing of crews.
Such a continuous, heavy traffic
flow calls for airports in great num-
bers-airportS stocked and ready in
advance to play their part either in
| offenSe or defense. There must be
many reserve airdromeS, since many
will be located by the enemy and
| subjected to bombing and gunnery
which will damage them and pos
sibly put them out of commission
temporarily if not permanently.
| The United States now is engaged
/ in the construction of air bases in
a number of Strategically impor-
tant areas. Their number, how
! ;-
ing and is far short of requirements
in case Of a concentrated enemy
attack on any important area in
/ the hemisphere. Many vital areas
are almost wholly lacking in proper
airdrome facilities.
Is Much More Than an Airport.
An "air base" is much more than
an airport. 1t comprises a very
large area, the central feature of
which will be a central airdrome.
but which also will include many
scattered dispersion" airdromes, to
which airplanes may be sent in case
of attack. In actual warfare it is
unlikely that force of more than
squadron ever would occupy a
single threatened airdrome, and
even the individual airplanes would
be as widely scattered as possible
around the field, under the shelter
of trees, hills or barns for conceal
ment and to limit the effects of
bombing.
The outlying dispersion fields
might be as far distant as so miles
from the central airdrome, in all
directions, and the "air base" area
might be 100 miles or more across.
1t might include bombing and gun
merry ranges, night flying practice
areas, radio stations for commune
cations and guiding the flight of
planes in and out by radio ranges
or "homing" devices, underground
gasoline and bomb storage facilities.
possibly underground repair facili-
ties and living quarters and other
installations and equipment neces-
sary to the operation of combat
squadrons and their personnel.
The flying fields themselves must
be camouf1aged or concealed. Once
spotted by an enemy air force they
become primary objects of attack,
and their value is at once impaired
or destroyed. This means that con-
crete or paved runways are "out"
unless they can be perfectly camou-
tagged.
Fields Are Disguised.
The British and Germans are dis
guising their flying fields in many
artful ways. Although hard-sur-
faced runWays may not be used,
heavy bombers cannot be operated
! from ordinary earth or turf sur
| faces except under the most favor
able conditions. Metal grids,
something like exaggerated door,
mats, frequently are used. Grass
| grows up through the openings and
conceals them.
A permanent air base may be as
elaborate as a small city. In addi-
ton to the flying facilities, hangers,
shops, fueling and ammunition stor-
age and loading facilities there will
be Photographic laboratories, para
chute overhaul and packing facili-
ties, warehouses, technical buildings
of many kinds, garages for the
many vehicles which must supply
and aid in the operation of an air
force, averaging so or more trucks
and cars to group; quarters for
personnel, school buildings, post ex-
changes, laundries, post office,
guard buildings, barber shops, heat
ing plants, firehouses and recrea-
tional facilities. There will be hos
pital facilities on an extensive scale.
The Air Corps has had to under
take the construction of a number
of temporary air bases to house its
growing air force. The 1910 Air
Corps of 60 squadrons required II
permanent bases. Congress now has
authorized a total of so groups, or
nearly 300 squadrons, and it has
been decided to construct 80 or
more temporary air bases, some of
which will be based on existing civil
airports, making use of housing
facilities in the nearby towns or
cities which they serve.