R.A.F.
How easy it is to take everything for granted. The existence of the great Royal Air Force seems self-evident today, and of course has been copied throughout the world, but Lord Templewood tells of what a tremendous struggle it was to bring it about, against the desires of the older Services, and the lack of imagination relative to air power in the older statesmen of the day.
Except for Lord Weir and Lord Hankey, both of whom played such a noble and distinguished part in the controversy, there is no one else still alive to tell the story of those critical days from the inside.
Empire of the Air for the first time lifts the veil. Lord Templewood, although an enthusiastic partisan, recounts it from both sides and as if he were a perfectly impartial historian.
That is, I suppose, as it should be, but there were others besides myself who were keen parti- sans and frankly I could never have omitted to tell of the interview between Lord Beatty and Bonar Law after Lord Rothermere's article in the Daily Mail. No one was there but the two. Quite right therefore; perhaps best left alone.
Curious to remember the real supporters in the House of Commons. I think they should be mentioned : Sueter, Wedgwood Benn, Hugh Cecil, Simon, Oscar Guest, Malone—not numerous but badly wanted at the time.
Trenchard is the hero of the book but until his life is written this is the finest tribute ever paid to him and the most complete story of his achievements. What 1 do hope, however, histor- ians will point out with force and clarity is the fact that, great commander as was Lord Tren- chard, his subsequent career in forming the Air Force, with all the wise and far-reaching subse- quent planning, could never have been brought into effect had it not been for Sam Hoare.
It was a national blessing that these two men, so entirely different from every point of view, got on so well together. Neither one nor the other alone could have done anything. Together they were irresistible. I think this wants saying, as Sam Hoare was never a 'Louis Armstrong.'
Some parts of the book, including a first flight by a Secretary of State to India, are out of date today, but so well written they are still absorbing.
In a kindly tribute to myself, he says Baldwin disliked me. Obviously a man of sound judge- ment! But I would not like the impression to be left that this was reciprocated. Certainly we had rows, certainly I never admired him, but I always bore him affection, for I knew him and liked him in the House of Commons, before he held high office.
The story of how the Empire of the Air was born wanted telling, and now it is well told. It will be read with interest and some astonishment by everyone even remotely interested (and who is not?) in the Royal Air Force.
BRABAZON OF TARA
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