The Whale Has Wings Vol 2 - Taranto to Singapore (40 page)

Bristol Beaufort
. While the performance, even with the Hercules engines, is inferior to the Beafighter, the shortage of adequate Coastal Command patrol aircraft means we should keep it in production for at least the next year. It is superior to the Beaufighter as a patrol aircraft, as the extra crew are useful in the observer role, and its primary target, submarines, means the difference in performance is not relevant.

Bristol Blenhiem
. This light bomber has been tried in a fighter role, but is inadequate at this except against 3rd-rate opposition. Its bomb load and durability are now inadequate for the bombing role, and we need to replace it as soon as possible. Due to a shortage of suitable UK-designed aircraft, this may have to be done by using a US import, but in any case the aircraft should be assigned to lower-threat theatres as soon as possible, not to waste pilots in an inadequate aircraft, and production phased out once a suitable replacement has been developed.

DeHaviland Mosquito.
The initial flight reports of the prototype show an excellent performance. The testing program is expected to finish in a few months, but we suggest initial work be done of arranging manufacturing; due to the nature of this aircraft, it will need a differing arrangement than normal aircraft. While the bomber does not mount any defensive armament, it would seem ideal for the role of Pathfinder to the main bomber force. Once production allows it could also replace the Blenheim in the light bomber role. While its unusual construction minimises the use of many strategic materials, it also requires a specialised production line. We suggest a factory be set up in Canada to build the aircraft.

Westland Whirlwind
.
This is currently being produced as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, but as these come into service in numbers some will be produced as a long range fighter . Before we commit to large numbers in this configuration, we should use a small number to evaluate their performance against the current Luftwaffe fighters.

Vickers Wellington.
This is currently our best medium bomber. In addition to its use as a bomber, it is also in demand from Coastal Command for anti-submarine duties. We recommend that production of this plane continues at the maximum rate for at least the next year.

Avro Manchester
bomber.
The first of these are in use, but the performance is not as good as expected. There are continual and ongoing issues with the Vulture engine, and our recommendation is that it is cancelled - we have other engines in production in the power range if needed. A version using four Merlin engines (designated the Lancaster) has just flown before Xmas, and looks very promising, but the flight trials will not be finished for some time. Preliminary indications is that changing to four engines and a redesign may solve the problems, but this cannot be determined yet

Short Stirling
bomber. This will be introduced into service in 1941. While superior to the older generation of bombers, there are issues which indicate it will be inferior to the Manchester and Halifax. These are its short range with a heavy bomb load, and its low ceiling which will make it very vulnerable to AA fire.

Shorts have offered two suggestions for versions. The first would be a high-altitude version with different engines and wings. The second using the Centaurus engine.

Since we have the superior Halifax in production, and a 4-engine version of the Manchester will be available soon, we recommend that we allocate the Stirling to Coastal command at present. This will fill their need for a long range patrol aircraft, the low ceiling not being a problem, and the load carried is adequate for the AS load carried. In addition, it can be produced in a second version without a number of the turrets, as many of the patrol areas envisaged will not encounter enemy fighters (in particular aircraft . Shorts should produce options on the re-engined low altitude bomber, and a high altitude version for evaluation and possible production alongside or instead of the Supermarine 318.

Handley Page Halifax
bomber. This has now entered service in limited numbers, and is a considerable improvement on the existing bomber aircraft. It's one limitation is the size of the bomb bay which limits the size of bombs that can be carried; raids by the Luftwaffe have shown that heavy bombs have different effects to light bombs, and that the types of bombs need to be suited to the type of damage required by the raid. We recommend production to continue in order to build up a sizeable force of heavy bombers

Supemarine 318 (Coventry)
bomber. This high-altitude bomber has undergone some trials, but a rework is necessary in order to achieve the high altitude envisioned in the original design. Data is now coming in from the high-altitude Wellington project, and this will be used to modify the aircraft. As Supermarine are heavily loaded with Spitfire work, the project has been passed over to Vickers, and development will continue under Mr Wallis. They expect to have a new prototype flying with all necessary modifications in the summer.

We currently see this aircraft as supplementing the lower altitude bombers. It will fly above the current German AA, and will be difficult for fighters to intercept, but is not ready yet and will be expensive. Until it is available in numbers, it will not be feasible to conduct raids using only this aircraft.

Use of our air assets.

(1) Air Defence of the United Kingdom.

While at the moment the threat of the day bomber seems to have been solved (or at least made it too expensive for the Luftwaffe), it is possible that at any time some new tactic or equipment may make this viable again. Given this, it is necessary to keep Fighter Command at its operational strength of around 1,000 planes. In addition the Navy needs some 2-4 squadrons to defend Scapa Flow and its convoy ports such as Loch Ewe in the extreme north of Scotland. These can either be flown by the RAF or Navy. The Spitfire is the best available fighter for daytime air defence, and we will shortly have the required strength available. There is also a need for a limited number of Spitfires specifically modified for high altitude to counter Luftwaffe high-level reconnaissance aircraft.

(2) Air Operations (North Africa and the Mediterranean)

In general, the nature of the airstrips and the size of the theatre makes it difficult to use the Spitfire (which find the general conditions too poor). We recommend a mix of Spitfires (for defence of higher value targets in the rear), and Sparrowhawks in their fighter role (these are much better suited for rough strips). The Hurricane is also more suitable for rough airstrips, and will be used until Sparrowhawk production builds up.

There are already Whirlwind and Wellingtons operating in theatre for reconnaissance and bombing, and these are proving suitable. We recommend that these retain the role for at least the next year, and that additional numbers are made available. Maritime strike by the RAF will either be by Beaufighter or Wellington (which can be modified to carry two torpedoes)

The role of army support will be by Sparrowhawk or Beaufighter in their fighter-bomber role. For heavier support, the Wellington is suitable, but we need a better light bomber than the Blenheim, although this is currently still usable in this theatre (unless Luftwaffe fighters are assigned there in numbers)

(3) Air Operations SE Asia

The air threat is much lower in this theatre, and we consider that any of the Sparrowhawk, Hurricane or Beaufighter will be suitable (depending on availability of the aircraft). Given the long ranges normal in this theatre, the Beaufighter and the Sparrowhawk are the better choice. Beaufighters would also be suitable for the maritime role in theatre, but until sufficient aircraft become available we can use older models as they are replaced in Europe. There also exists a need for limited numbers of long and very long range reconnaissance aircraft. The Navy has suggested that the SeaLance would cover the medium/long range need, and as it is currently only in use by the FAA it would be possible to provide the small numbers needed. For the very long range needs a number of Whirlwinds needs to be made available. Since this theatre is currently only at risk, we suggest a small number of squadrons of the different types needed will be useful to allow training and doctrine to be established in case there is need to counter Japan in this theatre. While this will complicate logistical support, we consider it a sensible precaution.

(4) Convoy defence

It was seen in the last war that the best defence of a convoy is a combination of air and light surface forces. Our analysis of the situation so far indicates this has not changed. The Navy is building light anti-submarine escorts as fast as possible, and we recommend no change to this priority. In order to maximise their effectiveness, we also need to provide air cover.

Air cover can be provided either from a carrier or by land based aircraft. Again, the escort carrier program currently ongoing is at about the maximum resources allow, but we recommend that it continues to be resourced at this level (there are indications that competing claims for shipbuilding may reduce the effort on the escort carriers). Ideally we need one per convoy, plus some additional ships, and the current building program will not provide these within 2-3 years. If possible, consideration should be given to building more ships in Canada, and if possible getting a number of the escort carriers built in the USA.

With respect to the land-based air support of Coastal Command, this currently is being given a very low priority by the RAF, with the suitable aircraft going to Bomber Command. We recommend that this policy is changed, and that Coastal Command is given a much higher priority for the aircraft it needs, especially over the next year which we see as the critical period in the North Atlantic. There is a specific need by Coastal Command for a long range four engine aircraft to supplement the Sunderland; production difficulties and costs mean the seaplane cannot be produced in the numbers needed. The US-produced Catalina flying boat is a useful supplement for the Sunderland, and it is recommended that purchases of it are increased.

(5) Operations over the North Sea and coastal regions.

The best planes available are the Hudson (US import) and the Beaufort. The Beaufighter will also be used once production permits. These are seen as adequate for the strike, reconnaissance and anti-submarine roles, the problem is that there are currently insufficient planes available and many of the existing planes are obsolete. We can see no quick solution except to increase production of the relevant planes. The Catalina is also suitable for the reconnaissance role.

Both the Beaufort and Wellington are suitable for minelaying, and in addition this low-risk mission can be supplemented by older, obsolescent models of bomber until the modern aircraft are available in sufficient numbers.

There are issues with providing protection to coastal convoys on the East Coast against aircraft. We do not have enough carriers to provide cover, and it has always been expected that the RAF would cover these convoys. The problem is (1) detecting enemy attack in time to allow interception, and (2) the range of the fighters. Detection is being addressed by fitting selected merchant ships with radar and communications to act as fighter control ships. This is currently slow due to availability of the needed equipment. The problem of the range of the fighters can be eased by using the Goshawk or the Reaper as the fighter, or a fighter version of the Whirlwind. It is recommended that the RAF and Navy undertake a specific analysis of this to work out an optimal solution.

(6) Operations in support of the Army

During the last year this has been the role of light bombers such as the Battle, which have proved unable to deliver the needed support. We have looked at the idea of providing a dive bomber (which has been used to great effect by Germany), either based on the Henly or the Cormorant, but are worried about the vulnerability of the dive bomber against fighters ( we realise the Navy has specific requirements for which this limitation is accepted). We propose support be based on (1) a fighter-bomber which can defend itself after an attack - currently this is the Hurricane, but this will be superseded by the Sparrowhawk, and (2) a light bomber - again, we have no suitable British aircraft for this role. There is also the possibility of using the Beaufighter in this role, although it is only an adequate fighter, its range and load carrying capability makes it a good choice for overseas theatres.

(7) Attacks on Germany

After looking in detail at the possibilities open to us, bearing in mind the types and number of aircraft we have available, and the state of the German defences, we consider that the types of operation we can undertake fall into three broad categories

(a) Mine laying (also known as 'Gardening').

This is a low risk operation which nonetheless causes significant damage and disruption to German industry. Used coastally, it damages and sinks both naval vessels and coastal shipping, and requires a great deal of effort in sweeping the mines. In addition, as the Beaufighter becomes available it would be suitable for attacking or disrupting the minesweeping efforts, rendering the mine laying even more effective.

In addition, it is very feasible to mine the major German inland waterways, canals and rivers. these are used heavily for industrial transport (far more heavily that we use them in the UK)

Finally the lower level of risk involved means it can have the new, green crews assigned, allowing them to gain useful operational experience and perform a useful role while becoming seasoned crews.