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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0446.PDF
1/llGHT Capt. Craig asked for an assurance that the clause allowed for the taking over of all appurtenances, spare parts, aerodromes, and patents necessary for each particular class of machine. Though the Secretary for War always took a very smiling view of aviation, the experts, who were in the best position to know, had denied the accuracy of the right hon. gentleman's figures. The Secretary for War was such an optimist that he could gloss over everything of this sort, but those outside the House, who really knew what was going on, were gravely concerned with regard to this branch of the service. He also wanted to know whether the new type of machine, which was used largely for skimming over the surface of water, but which made short rather than prolonged flights, was to lie included under the term aeroplane. Col. Seely said with regard to the latter point the term aeroplane covered all types of flying machine, including hydroplanes. He did not think the Committee would wish him to deal with the question of how many aeroplanes the Army had in its possession, except to say that the Secretary of State naturally had to rely on the state ments made to him by the distinguished officers who supervised the arrangements. He had himself special knowledge of the case, and he had no reason to doubt the accuracy of the information given him by those officers. He did not think its accuracy was doubted in any responsible quarter. He would always bs glad to give the House any information regarding the aircraft in the possession of the Department, so far as was consistent with the public interest, but a great deal of the aeronautical service must bj regarded as confidential ; it was almost entirely so regarded in other countries. He would be veiy glad to give all the information he had, except as to the types of the machines. He was advised that the War Depart ment would have power under this section to obtain the necessary appurtenances for aeroplanes. The powers which they sought were not asked for because they wished to perform high-handed acts, but because such powers were a universal rule fn time of extreme danger to the State ; as the House of Commons had given such powers in all other respects, it would naturally wish to do the same in regard to aircraft. With regard to securing co-operation for building aerodromes, they had gone some way in that direction, and were now, he hoped, in a position to go much further. The Royal Aero Club had given them the greatest assistance in this as in many other matters, and had now appointed a special committee, on which the War Department were represented, with a view to securing complete co-operation between that department and the different civilian aerodromes, which would enable the department to have the advantage of using those aerodromes on suitable payment. He would be glad to make a further statement when this special committee had made a report. So far they had only made an interim report, and were further considering the matter. The bill passed through Committee, was reported to the House, and was afterwards read a third time. On the following day it was considered in the House of Lords, and Lord Lovat slid : The subject of the command of the air was not treated as he would like it to be treated by the Government. The position was most serious. What were the numbers of "Zeppelins" and semi-rigid dirigibles here and in Germany? How long did the Government think it would be before we could compete with Germany on equal terms in regard to this new science ? The dirigible had much more offensive and defensive power at sea than on land. At present there were between 20 and 27 dirigibles in Germany able to fly to this country, and to drop dynamite into our harbours, dockyards, and arsenals. We had nothing but two semi-rigids to meet the danger which threatened in that respect. We were unable to send wireless messages by aeroplanes. On the other hand, should war break out, their aircraft would be able to follow our great vessels as they steamed about, and to communicate by wireless with their submarines, and thus they would have every opportunity of reporting the movements of our fleets. When they considered the damage which might be done, and at the same time the strain imposed on the crews of our ships, by the knowledge that they might be watched while having no corresponding means of watching the enemy's vessels, it would easily be seen that the dice had been more and more loaded against us. Everyone who read the recent speech of Col. Seely would go away with the idea that Germany had only 150 aeroplanes compared with our 101. Germany had 6DO aeroplanes, and probibly considerably more. Was it right to the taxpayers, who maintained officers at the War Office to make enquiries, that Col. Seely should quote the figures of 150 from the Morning Post in order to bamboozle the country, instead of asking his military advisers what were the facts ? Lord Herschell said that with regard to aeroplanes the statement made by Col. Seely in the House of Commons was perfectly accurate. At the same time, it was important to realise that, though we might have a certain number of aeroplanes, it was inevitable that a certain proportion should be under repair owing to APRIL 26, 1913- the damage which occurred from time to time. This damage took anything from three days to a month to repair. It was also worth, pointing out that the fact of the damage arising was only a proof that these machines were being used as they should be—for practice. It was perfect4y true if they had a flotilla of torpedo destroyers, and kept them in harbour, they were quite safe from casualties, but it was essential they should be used and that practice should-be undertaken. Then, again, a certain number of instructional machines, though adapted admirably for their purposes, could not, owing to their lack of speed, be said to be entirely suitable in time of war. There was also a certain number of monoplanes which, owing to the fact that they did not meet all the requirements which had been laid down by the War Office Committee on Monoplane Accidents, it had been decided not to use in time of peace until certain alterations had been made. At the same time, they had pilots capable of flying these machines. At present the War Office had no intention of ordering any more aeroplanes which did not meet the requirements of the Committee on Monoplane Accidents so as to permit of their being used in time of peace for practice. The qualities which had been shown by the biplanes recently constructed had proved that in every essential' particular they were capable of achieving good results, comparable with monoplanes, and in respect of range of speed, which was the most vital point of any war machine, they had shown a marked superiority. The programme of construction was being considerably accelerated, but it was important to bear in mind that in carrying out that programme it was not only necessary to get aeroplanes or pilots, but they had to provide transport. There had been considerable difficulty found in providing the transport for the military Wing, but in this matter a satisfactory decision had now been arrived at, and large orders had already been placed. In the meantime arrangements had been made for providing the necessary transport, prior to purchase, of those squadrons which were so far complete in other respects as to be able to take their place with the Expeditionary Force on mobilisation. Naturally, these arrange ments were constantly subject to a revision as the growth of the Flying Corps made a larger contingent possible. It was no use having aeroplanes unless they had sheds to house them and barracks- for the officers and men. Arrangements were in progress, and some had already been completed, for stations specially adapted for ex perimental work. Repair sheds and tools were also necessary. It would be detrimental to the efficiency of the Flying Corps if all these things were not provided. With regard to airships there were two points of view : (1) The Expeditionary Force, and (2) home defence. With regard to the former, from the very first they were met with a very serious diffi culty that airships, and especially large airships, and, above all, large rigid airships, required large airsheds, which took a con siderable time to build. Our Expeditionary Force being designed for service to all parts of the world, we were in a different position from countries with co-terminous frontiers, who were able to erect in time of peace large sheds at various strategic points. The Government had, therefore, concentrated their attention upon small portable airships which could be transpsrted to any place overseas, and would be housed in sheds which were themselves portable and could be erected in a short time. With regard to home defence, as to" which our policy to a large extent was one of passive defence so far as the Army was concerned, we required over seas reconnaissance. That, in the opinion of the Government, would be the function of the Admiralty. With reference to the preparation being made against aerial attack by airships, he could only say this was a matter which had been engaging the attention of all those concerned for many months past, and that they had devised various steps to meet this danger. He hardly thought their Lordships would expect him to go into details on this particular point, because it was obviously contrary to policy to state what preparations were being made. But this he could say, that not only the War Office, but the Admiralty, were taking every passible step to meet the dangers which might arise from the visit of the hostile airship. At the same time it must be remembered that the whole problem changed from day to day, and that the flying machine at present was only in its- infancy, but the Government were doing all in their power to make use of the best brains and the best scientific thought in the country. Turning to the broad principles of aerial construction, the air service both naval and military was one, but the Government had decided that there should be a broad line of revision, and that the- lighter than air service should be undertaken by the Admiralty, and the heavier than air by the War Office. The rule, however, had its exceptions. The Army had decided to retain for the present, at any rate, the small airships for the Expeditionary Force. The Navy, on the other hand, would make use of such portions of the hydro-aeroplane service as might be required to meet every point of view which they had to consider. But the main principle to which • he would draw attention, was that the Navy and Army would co-operate completely in any problem of aeronautics. 468
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