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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 1130.PDF
[/yCHT] The facts that are available all go to show that little more has been done in this direction than to make good the wastage that has taken place. Even if the number of such dirigibles has been considerably increased, the probability of a successful attack would be but little strengthened. Writing on the subject in the Echo de Paris, General Cherfils, of the French Army, after pointing out that it is certain that the British authorities have taken steps to deal with any invasion, and that any attempts of the kind will not go unresisted, expresses the view that " victory will rest with the fighting instrument which is most mobile, most rapid, most invulnerable and most audacious. The Zeppelin is a delicate monster, fragile, and condemned to inability to ascend to a great height under penalty of a dangerous condensation, which may bring about a catas trophe." Although the General does not definitely say so, it is not difficult to draw a conclusion as to the arm on which, in his opinion, victory will rest in such a fight— with the aeroplane. an In this connection it may be worth American drawing attention to a similar view to that View of General Cherfils which is held by of Large General Scriven, the Chief Signal Officer Dirigibles. ofthe US. Armyt although it does not follow that one need necessarily agree with the views expressed. In an exhaustive report on aircraft which, ® ® AIRCRAFT WORK THE following reference to aircraft was made in the despatch dated November ioth from an "Eyewitness" present with the British Headquarters in France and issued by the Official Press Bureau on the 16th inst.:— " Along the rest of our line nothing of special interest occurred. Farther south our aeroplanes and those of the French scored a success by partially destroying two of the old forts of Lille. Fort Englos was blown up on the 4th, and Fort Carnot on the 5th. They were most probably used as magazines, and may have been of some tactical importance as points d'appui in the line of entrenchments." In connection with the great loss sustained by the nation in the death in France last week of Lord Roberts, who it may be recalled had been a Vice-President of the Royal Aero Club since 1910, and a member of the Council since 1906, the following extract from a state- ® ® The Late Mr. E. T. Busk. THE great interest which H.M. the King takes in the aircraft work of the army has again been shown by the following letter received by Mrs. Busk, the mother of the late Mr. E. T. Busk, who lost his life under the circumstances recorded in last week's FLIGHT, while flying over Laffans Plain :— Buckingham Palace, November nth. DEAR MRS. BUSK,—The King has heard with much concern of the tragic death of your son Mr. Busk. His Majesty well remembers meeting him at the Royal Aircraft Factory on the occasion of their Majesties' visit to Aldershot last summer, and was much struck by his ability and technical know ledge of the machinery of aeroplanes. The King also saw him give an exhibition of flying in a stable aeroplane of bis own invention. In offering you his sincere sympathy in your bereavement, the King feels that the country has lost the services of one who, by NOVEMBER 20, 1914. according to a special correspondent of The Times, he has just drawn up for the U.S. Secretary for War, General Scriven remarks that he is not prepared to recommend the American Army to seriously take up the question of constructing dirigibles, as they are not worth their cost as offensive machines, while for reconnaissance or defence they are of far less value than aeroplanes. The General adds that " dirigibles are seemingly useless in defence against the aeroplane or gunfire, and their attack may be safely left to the care of fire from the ground and to the aeroplane. These Dreadnoughts of the air can be used for offence as well as defence only in such infrequent and exceptional conditions that their construction under present conditions must be pro nounced undesirable. It may later be shown that aerial offensive flight, especially in conjunction with sea opera tions, may prove important, but it is useless to prophesy, and I believe that the only safe conclusion at this time regarding the value of aerial offensive, is a verdict of ' Not proven.'" Although the Admiralty, through the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, has deemed it wise to still continue the order for the lowering of all external lighting at night, these and other widely-expressed official opinions more than confirm and justify the views ex pressed by us that the public have no reason to fear the dire fatalities and destruction which the Germans and their spies so persistently foretell from the Zeppelin bogey. ® ® AT THE FRONT. ment issued by the Press Bureau on Monday, shows the interest which he took in the work of the Royal Flying Corps:— " He arrived in France on Wednesday, November nth, and motored to General Headquarters after inspecting an Indian hospital ship in port and the Royal Flying Corps on the way." In the official account of the funeral service of Lord Roberts in France, issued by the Press Bureau on Wednesday, there was the following record of a last tribute to the great soldier paid by the Royal Flying Corps :— " At this moment a fresh sound was heard above the roar of the artillery and the brassy music of the trumpets as a British aeroplane, one of the aerial guard that had been watching and protecting the procession, swooped up into sight, circled the square, and dipped in salute." ® ® experiment and research, contributed in no small measure to the science of flying. Yours very truly, CLIVK WIORAM. Mrs. Busk has been much touched by the numerous letters of sympathy which she has received. She is unable to answer these at present, and hopes that the writers will forgive her for expressing her gratitude through the Press. Promotion for Mr. H. E. Perrin. THE members of the Royal Aero Club, and his many friends outside the Club, will note with gratifi cation the official notification which is given on page 1132 that Mr. Harold E. Perrin, the popular Secretary, who obtained a Commission as Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in September last for duty in connection with the Royal Naval Air Service, has now been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. 1130
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