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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 1017.PDF
NOVEMBER 25, 1911. On the outbreak of war it was to be expected that the aeroplanes of both sides would endeavour to reconnoitre and to pick up all the information possible about the enemy's concentration areas. It was probable that the first day would see them in collision, as it was vital to success that the enemy should be deprived of the use of aeroplanes as early as possible in the campaign. It appeared probable that the passengers in the aeroplanes would carry weapons of precision, which they would use against their adversaries, and it might even be necessary to have recourse to wrecking the hostile aeroplane by the " back-wash " of the pro peller, although that was a very risky proceeding. There would be a struggle for the supremacy of the air, and we might assume that a commander, whose aeroplanes had defeated their adversaries, could hope for an extraordinary amount of clear and accurate information as to his enemy's dispositions for, and intentions of, battle. There were two schools of thought with regard to strategy and the areoplane would prove of greater benefit to what was known as the French system, which consists of preliminary manrvuvring, while retaining a large reserve to bring into action at the most propitious moment. In the German system—which consisted of a bold advance, with an enveloping attack—aeroplanes could only assist in the execution. One important result following the use of aeroplanes would be to release the advance guard from the duty of gaining information, thus making it available for other purposes. In a discussion which followed, Colonel Hunter Weston, of the War Office General Staff, said the attention of the General Staff was being most carefully engaged on the subject of aeroplanes. It was essential to employ only trained military observers, as the informa tion gathered by civilians was, generally speaking, valueless. He was inclined to believe that the aeroplane was not likely to effect a great revolution in methods of warfare. Rather, the result would be a slow modification of the method, as it would probably be found that the aerial forces of one army would more or less balance those of the opposing army. Lieut. Boothby, R.N., also took part in the discussion, and urged the use of airships with light artillery or pneumatic guns for offensive use against aeroplanes. AEROPLANES IN WAR. IN a very graphic word picture of the progress of hostilities at Tripoli, by the War Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, he makes striking reference to the importance of aeroplanes in war in the following passage :— « WANTED : AEROPLANES, &c. " There should not be any time lost either in the Army or the Navy of the United Kingdom in developing and improving the aeroplane. The yellow German model captive balloon has been sent up but thrice here, and, from what can be seen and judged, its usefulness is but that of a lame and blind man sent upon a mission requiring smart mobility and clear vision. The 16 aeroplanes here have been of the greatest service, and I am so thorough a believer in the qualities of our own people that I think, in their hands, still better results could have been obtained. I have seen them here, mono planes and biplanes, flying about freely and safely in breezes blowing well over 20 miles an hour. A jolly Jack of the Royal Navy, rushing along 60 to 80 miles an hour upon a Nieuport, at a height of 1,000 ft. to 2,000 ft., would surely prove a far better scout than the fleetest cruiser in the Royal Navy. The only needed public plea at the instant is that whilst this [fQGHf] Fischer upon his completion, on the Henry Farman biplane, of the final cross-country speed test In the French Military Competition, being welcomed by his wife, and personally congratulated upon his splendid performance by Mr. Henry Farman. business of aviation is still in its infancy, and the sense of sure balance has yet to come, all comers should be asked to help in the new corps of flying men. I mean, don't let the ' experts ' be those entered and born in the purple of the regular services, at least for some years to come. Train them to observe aright ; that any man can learn. " I saw yesterday—it was shown me by an Italian officer— one of the new aeroplane bombs—that is, the missiles to be thrown and which have been used by the aviators in Tripoli. It is of cylindrical construction, about 3-J ins. in diameter, and made of tough steel. The fuse is operated either by time or percussion. The missile is about the size and shape of a big orange, with a loading plug below and the fuse on top. Two side views of the Military Henry Farman biplanes which participated in the recent French Military Competitions at Rheims. 1019
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