Air Stories, April 1936 — page 63: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE WASP STINGS HE following day broke cloudless, and with a promise of heat. The special train conveying those members of the Government who had accepted the Admiralty’s invitation, together with their relations and friends, left town early. The party was on board the Admiralty yacht ‘‘ Witch’ by 11.30, and the Fieet Air Arm immediately got busy. But this was only a curtain- raiser. Then came lunch—the first item of real importance on the pro- gramme. There was something of a scramble for the saloon when the meal was announced, owing to a rumour that there would not be enough food to go round. The rumour proved false. There was plenty both to eat and to drink, and as soon as this fact was proved to their satisfaction, the party settled down to more leisurely enjoy- ment. The tension relaxed, and everyone was happy except Lord Maymyo, the War Minister, who was sadly out of temper. Sylvia Mandeville, the charming daughter of the Secretary of State for Air, was sitting next to him, and sensed that something was amiss. She was not accustomed to being neglected, and did not intend to be on this occasion. ‘‘What’s biting my lord ? ’’ she asked presently, in a shameless mixture of medieval English and modern American. His lordship jumped, and looked round in a startled way. ‘‘ What’s that? Nothing, I hope!’’ His eyes met Sylvia’s, and he _ relaxed—even smiled. ‘‘ Forgive me, my dear, for neglecting you in so shameful a manner. The truth is that I was annoyed and preoccupied. I was thinking that my coming here was a mistake.—More champagne, waiter, please.—It seems to lend support to the Admiralty in their demands—but you wouldn’t understand, my dear.’’ ‘“Please go on!’’ coaxed Sylvia. ‘I’m not quite as stupid as I look.’’ ‘I’m sure you’re not, dear lady ... I...tI mean you look a most intel- ligent young person. Well, you see, as I was saying, the Admiralty are going to demonstrate this afternoon that aeroplanes are powerless against warships. Then, supported by this demonstration, they will put in their claim for many more battleships and cruisers, and the claim will probably be granted by Parliament. ‘Now I’m a soldier, first and last ...’ Lord Maymyo instinctively sat up and squared his shoulders, ‘‘. . . and I know that aeroplanes are powerless also against efficient troops, trained to cover. But, unfortunately, the Army is now cut to the bone; to the very bone! Never in our history have we been so greatly in need of increases in our land forces... .’’ ADY Maymyo, sitting opposite, decided | bee time had cometomake her presence felt. She leant forward. ‘‘ Cecil, dear, I’ve been trying to convert the Italian Ambassador to our point of view, and I think I’ve succeeded, have I not, Count D’Antonio P ”’ ‘¢Damn Antonio |! ’’ muttered the War Minister. Meanwhile, Charles Mandeville, His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Air, next to the Prime Minister, was making the most of his opportunity. ‘‘... As a nation we’ve not yet begun to realise the meaning of air power, my dear Premier.’’ ‘‘T think you’re wrong there, Charles. Personally, I have a great regard for the Air Force. During the war they were of considerable assistance to the troops, and acquitted themselves well.’’ ‘¢ That’s exactly my point,’’ exclaimed the Air Minister vigorously. ‘‘ Our airmen then had to serve the Army, under whose orders they were placed. They were allowed no freedom of action, otherwise they might have been used as one mighty force with which to drive the enemy from the sky, to destroy his aerodromes and to force him, blinded, to sue for peace.’’ The Premier was getting bored. ‘¢ All that’s out of date, to-day, Charles, but this afternoon we are going to see how our modern Navy deals with the air menace.”’ The remark stung Mandeville to fury. ‘‘Are you going to be influenced by 349 GOMLGOOO SJ (C(O)