GREAT BRITAIN: A Matter of Life & Death

"The air defenses of this island," said Under Secretary for Air George Reginald Ward in the House of Commons last week, "would be woefully inadequate if we had not powerful allies . . ." It was hard talk to a nation whose political leaders, on both the Tory and Labor sides of the aisle, often act as if U.S. air bases in Britain are provocative to the Russians.

Black-mustached Group Captain George Ward, 44, a veteran R.A.F. staff officer, was presenting the R.A.F.'s $1,255,280,000 budget for 1952-53. It was his first parliamentary mission, but what he had to say sent R.A.F.-proud...

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