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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0662.PDF
lA§£J SEPTEMBER IO, 1915. Zeppelin fetish—which in the past has been worked te such advantage by those whose interests were best served by maintaining its existence. The general sup pression of glaring lights we have every sympathy with, as there is no reason why the aerial pirates should be guided by such easy landmarks—especially at coast-line towns—as strong fixed lights would convey; whilst powerful headlights on motor cars are also to be strongly deprecated. But there is a big gap between that and the total extinction of lights upon moving vehicles, even on the coast-line, let alone on country roads, or in towns and inland spots. The recent letter of Mr. A. J. Balfour, in which he laid the bogey out in all its nakedness, should go far to neutralise the would-be scare effects which it is sought to create in certain directions. In saying this we are not forgetting the latest raid announced on the morning of our writing this week, when we are with out any knowledge of either material damage or casualties incurred. We still hold to the opinion that, relatively, the danger is a negligible one—from a military point of view it is nil—and should not be allowed to lead to an evil which may easily result in very disastrous consequences. The very slight assistance which dimmed lights can give to aircraft high up in the heavens, and the infinitesimal amount, comparatively, of damage which might, therefore, accrue from the use of such lights, are so inappreciable in comparison to the possibilities of mischief to the public by complete extinction, that the remedy would appear as if it were far worse than the disease, leaving out of consideration the enormous amount of trading and commercial loss which has been brought about by the lighting order—most people preferring to ® ® ® ® REORGANISATION OF THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE. remain indoors after dark, there being, therefore, no inducement for traders to cater for customers. On the whole, therefore, we think that steps should certainly be taken by the proper authorities to let it be known that to prohibit altogether the use of lights upon vehicles is an unnecessary proceeding, having regard to any help faint lights might afford to air-raiders. In fact, we have in our mind that consequences following the obeying of such an order might bring with it very serious legal liabilities to the actual individuals responsible for its issue. It is quite evident that the Germans have been altogether wrong in their estimates of what they could effect by means of their Zeppelins, and in a great measure the continued bomb attacks are more for home effect— especially since the confirmed failure of the submarine blockade—than with the expectancy of doing any real harm to this country. Fortunately our authorities have not lost their head in any way over these unwieldy mammoths, and we venture to think that the very effective work of our own unpretentious two-seater scouts, at com paratively small outlay, will in good time be found to have made a most remunerative return. It may well be asked at what cost to the enemy, but the answer to that is once again " Wait and see." In the meantime, in this connection, just put your thinking-cap on and refer to Mr. Balfour's second letter published in the daily press, in which the First Lord of the Admiralty makes mention of the very material losses of submarines by the Germans, and take comfort in the thought that aviation has not been entirely out of the tracking down of the enemy under-water craft. THE Secretary of the Admiralty on Wednesday evening issued the following important communication :— " The rapid expansion of the Royal Naval Air Service, both in respect of personnel and mati'riel, has rendered necessary a reorganisation of the Admiralty Air Depart ment, and their Lordships have decided to place it for the future under the direction of a Flag officer, with the title of Director of Air Services. Rear-Admiral C. L. Vaughan-Lee has been selected for this appointment. "The present Director of the Air Department, Commodore M. F. Sueter, C.B., has been promoted to the rank of Commodore, rst Class, and will be in charge of the materiel side of naval aeronautical work, with the new title of Superintendent of Aircraft Construction." » ® ® ® The Roll of Honour. THE Secretary of the Admiralty has announced the following casualties:— Under date August 19th (from the Dardanelles): Killed. Captain Charles H. Collet, D.S.O., R.M.A. (Klight-Commander, R.N.A.S.). Under date September 3rd : Injured. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Stanley A. Turpin, R.N. Undated : Previously reported Missing, now reported a Prisoner of War In Germany. Lieutenant John M. D'A. Levy, R.N. The following casualties in the Expeditionary Force have been reported from General Headquarters:— Under date August a 1st: Killed. Sergeant B. Barnard. Under date August 23rd : Missing. Second Lieutenant C. Gallie, Royal Scots Fusilier?, attached R.F.C. Second Lieutenant W. M. Wallace, 5th Rifle Brigade, attached R.F.C. Under date August 28th : Previously Officially reported Missing, now Unofficially reported Killed. Captain R. M. Pike, Royal Flying Corps. Undated: Previously Officially reported Missing, now Unofficially reported Prisoner of war. Second Lieutenant D. D. Drury, Intelligence Corps, attached R.F.C. It was unofficially announced on Wednesday that Lieutenant G. Hobbs, R.F.C., had been killed on the previous morning at Martin Mill, near Dover. 662
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