§ Mr. Radfordasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the aerodrome on which four boys recently damaged certain Royal Air Force aeroplanes is the same aerodrome as the one on which two Nazi prisoners recently secured an aeroplane; and what disciplinary action has been taken to place the aerodrome or aerodromes in question under proper protection and to prevent such happenings?
§ Captain BalfourYes, Sir. The facts of this incident which occurred the day before that of the escaped prisoners are that the boys were observed in the vicinity of some dispersed aircraft and made off as soon as an airman approached them. In the meantime, they had done slight damage to an aircraft and had pilfered some first-aid equipment. The matter was reported to the civil police, the culprits were identified, and on proceedings being taken, were fined. Measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in future.
§ Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to say how it was possible for two German airmen who escaped from a North of England prison camp to obtain possession of a Royal Air Force aeroplane as a means of escape from this country; how did they gain access to the aerodrome; and is it customary to leave, in time of war, aeroplanes unguarded and in condition fit to take off?
§ Captain BalfourThe incident to which the hon. Member refers occurred on 24th November last. A Royal Air Force court 229W of inquiry was ordered the next day. The report of proceedings reached the Air Ministry on 26th December and revealed these facts:
The two prisoners-of-war gained access to an aerodrome operated on behalf of the Royal Air Force by a civilian concern, where Allied personnel were under training. The court could not establish exactly how and where entry was effected, but the two men succeeded in evading the Royal Air Force guard and the defence patrol on duty at the time. They then got into a training aircraft and were allowed to take off under the eyes of a civilian mechanic who mistook them for Allied personnel. His suspicions were aroused when he realised that neither was carrying a parachute, but by this time the aircraft had already taxied away and was taking off. He reported at once to the Station Commander, a general warning was thereupon issued to all Royal Air Force Stations and the aircraft was tracked by the Royal Observer Corps. When later it landed through lack of fuel, the prisoners were apprehended.
The court of inquiry found that, while there was no evidence of individual negligence, the patrol system for guarding the aerodrome was inadequate and the procedure for authorising flights was not satisfactory. Measures have been taken to prevent recurrence of a similar incident at this or any other civil-operated aerodrome. The suggestion that the fugitives were given flying suits is unfounded.