ABSTRACT
The Fighter Command means the Command was no longer confined to the defence of territory in the United Kingdom proper; henceforth it would assist the Navy and Coastal Command in protecting coastal shipping. The details of the defence of Scapa, like all air defence matters affecting more than one service, were referred to the ADGB sub-committee under Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding. Nevertheless he felt that there was no immediate danger of the government approving large Army and Navy air programmes at the expense of the Metropolitan Air Force, and there the matter appears to have temporarily rested. The War Office intended to expand the Field Force to its full strength within twelve months of the outbreak of war. Air Staff policy appeared to hold adequate safeguards for Fighter Command but, in fact, it was not difficult to visualise circumstances which would lead to an urgent and irresistible demand for the additional Field Force squadrons.
