"There is a revealing motto of one of our air squadrons—I spread my wings and keep my promise'—and hat undoubtedly was the spirit and rose of those brave men.
Full recognition too, should be given those, who, though they have had to stand by at their war stations in a state of instant readiness for action by day and night, have not yet been engaged in action with the Germans.
"Instant readiness is demanded, and the strain imposed has been as great, if not greater, than if active operations were in progress, The keeness and alertness of these officers and men are of the first order."
Referring to the coastal command, Sir Kingsley Wood said that its activities had been unremitting and strenuous in the extreme, from the first day of the war.
"The vastly greater range, speed and reliability of our aircraft," he concluded, "is being fully utilised, in cooperation with the Navy, in defeating submarines and in guiding ships to
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.