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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 1070.PDF
aircraft, any advantage in this direction is more than out weighed by the increased likelihood of accident to pedestrians and other road-users. While there is, doubtless, much to be said against the order, we can hardly imagine that it would have been issued by the authorities except after careful consideration of all the points involved, and, in view of the fact that one or more of our military dirigibles made many night flights for observation purposes under varying conditions, it is fairly obvious that much more is known of things, as from above, by those responsible for the protection and safety of the public than the latter are aware of. It has even been suggested that the reason for reducing the street and shop lighting in London has nothing to do with reported visits of enemy airships at all, but has been enforced as an assistance in ferreting out the spies who have been, and maybe still are, making use of various means of transmitting information abroad. Whatever the facts really are, the public may rest assured that the protection of London is being very care fully looked after, and that, should any Zeppelins venture across the North Sea, their crews will meet with a very warm reception. • • * "A I B b" RePorts fr°m tne City, however, show that Insurance underwriters are still busily engaged on the issue of special policies to cover the risks of any damage that may ensue from a visit of German aircraft to this country. We have already ex pressed the opinion that the modesty of the premiums charged, ranging as they do from 25. 6d. per cent, in the case of private residences to 5*. for business establish ments and public buildings, is in itself a measure of the small probability of an effective invasion. The fact that Lloyd's underwriters, who are no better placed than the general public as to the extent of the risk, should be willing to accept it at such a low rate ought to carry con- ® ® "MENTIONED IN THE following memorandum by the Director of the Air Department, Admiralty, regarding the work of the Royal Naval Air Service was issued in a supplement to the London Gazette on the 22nd insl.:— " Commander Charles R. Samson, R.N., was in com mand of the Aeroplane and Armoured Motor Support of the Royal Naval Air Service (Naval Wing) at Dunkerque between the dates September 1st to October 5th. " During this period several notable air reconnaissances were made, and skirmishes took place. Of these particular mention may be made of the aeroplane attack on September 4th on four enemy cars and forty men, on which occasion several bombs were dropped; and of the successful skirmishes at Cassel on September 4th, Savy on September iath, Aniche on September 22nd. Orchies on September 23rd. "On September 22nd Flight Lieut. C. H. Collet, of the Royal NaVal Air Service (Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps), flying a Sopwith tractor biplane, made a long flight and a successful attack on the German Zeppelin airship shed at Diisseldorf. Lieut. Collet's feat is notable—gliding down from 6,000 ft., the last 1,500 ft. in mist, he finally came in sight of the airship shed at a height of 400 ft., only a quarter of a mile away from it. " Flight Lieut. Marix, acting under the orders of Squadron Commander Spenser Grey, carried out a successful attack on the Diisseldorf airship shed during the afternoon of October 8th. From a height of 600 ft. viction in the public mind. Indeed, it has been facetiously suggested to us that all such reports as that of Westminster Abbey having been insured for a quarter of a million sterling, more or less, and other public buildings for correspondingly large amounts, emanate from those who see in the public scare an opportunity for bringing in a grand total of premiums, very much under velvet cushion conditions. For ourselves, our view of the matter, as we have already stated in a previous issue* is that, if there is any real prospect of an attempted invasion, it should be a matter for serious consideration whether the Government —which, through its various channels of information, is likely to be best informed on the subject—should not be called upon to accept responsibility for any damage that might result from such an invasion. Obviously such damage would be the direct outcome of the national conflict, and as such ought, as far as possible, to be made good by the Government. The amount of damage likely to eventuate is in any case likely to be comparatively negligible, and the moral effect upon the general public of such an effect would undoubtedly be to inspire complete confidence, and put the little army of scare mongers into the gloomy obscurity which they deserve. Even if such a suggestion does not commend itself to the authorities, there is still another proposal they might consider, and that is, seeing that they have already taken many excellent safeguards in the public interest, notably in connection with marine insurance, in the fixing of maximum food prices, the prevention of a " corner " in sugar, &c, they should undertake the issue of war-risk policies, covering also damage from hostile aircraft, s© that the many thousands of half-crowns which are now being paid over to underwriters could be diverted to the public funds as a provision against a national risk. The whole business is a national question, and not one to be left to afewcute business men out of which to make capital. ® ® DESPATCHES." he dropped two bombs on the shed, and flames 500 ft. high were seen within 30 sees. The roof of the shed was also observed to collapse. Lieut. Marix's machine was under heavy fire from rifles and mitrailleuse, and was five times hit whilst making the attack. "Squadron Commander Spenser Grey, whilst in charge of a flight of naval aeroplanes at Antwerp, penetrated during a three and three-quarter hours' flight into the enemy's country as far as Cologne on October 8th. He circled the city under fire at 600 feet, and discharged his bombs on the military railway station. Considerable damage was done. "Oct. nth, 1914." In the same Supplement was the following official announcement:— "Admiralty, October 21st, 1914. " The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order in respect of the undermentioned officers in recognition of their services mentioned in the fore going despatches:— "To BE COMPANIONS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. " Commander Charles Rumney Samson. Squadron Commander Spenser Douglas Adair Grey. Flight Lieutenant Reginald Lennox George Marix. Lieutenant Charles Herbert Collet, Royal Marine Artillery."
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