FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0072.PDF
[/JJGHT] more effectual methods of protection to London can be evolved we think there is little doubt, and for that reason possibly some good would result from air interests having a real live man sitting in the House who would handle all questions in a practical way as they arose, and endeavour to initiate and force progress towards that ultimate goal which we all hope for—supremacy in the air. With the present spring we shall probably see activity in the air in every direction, such as even hitherto few have pictured. This will, however, be but a tiny step forward in the stride of this great world revolutioniser, and it is up to this country to take heed and see that in every stride made it shall be Britain who sets the pace and the length of the stride until she has outdistanced in the air all others as she has done on the seas. «. * <*• During the contest for representing the _e Mile End constituency which ended on "Air-Ticket" Election Tuesday last with the defeat of Mr. Pemberton-Billing, who took his stand on air, a good deal of ill-feeling was created by the accusa tion that in forcing a contest in the borough Mr. Billing was violating the truce which had been come to, to avoid all political party conflict. From the politician's point of view no doubt this was a perfectly legitimate attitude to take up, but as Mr. Pemberton-Billing did not put himself forward in the slightest sense as a politician—in fact quite the reverse, as we had occasion to point out last week—it was hardly reasonable to attempt to nail his ear down to an understanding with which he had no concern or quarrel. His one avowed object was to further the interests of his country in attaining that supremacy in the air which there are very few in the whole community who will not agree must be ours in the days to come. That the " air ticket" was intensely popular there is no question of doubt, and if sheer popularity counted for votes, " P.-B." would have sailed in miles ahead of his opponent. But although "politics" were taboo, not a single channel or device was left unused of both the Unionist and Liberal organisations to assisting the political -candidate in getting to the top of the poll on Tuesday. That Mr. Pemberton-Billing scored as much as he did is rather to be wondered at under the circumstances, and this should give him encouragement to persist in his ambition to lead the Aviation interests in Parliament ® -8 The Fokker and its Ways. SOME details as to the way in which Fokker machines are being used by the Germans were given in the House of Commons on the 20th inst. by Mr. Tennant in replying to Sir E. Cornwall who asked whether the British aeroplanes now at the front were equal in efficiency to the new German Fokker machines, and whether he could make any statement as to the results of the aerial fighting on the British front in Flanders during the last month. Mr. Tennant said : In order that the present position as regards aerial fighting on the Western front may be correctly under stood the defensive nature of the German method of fight ing in tbe air must be kept in mind. It is to this kind of fighting only that the Fokker aeroplane, which is incapable of pro longed flights away from its own lines and over the British lines, is appropriate, though for this limited purpose its suitability is not JANUARY 27, 1916. until they reach the level of Navy importance. The one great tactical mistake made by Mr. Billing was his allegation of there being a disregard in Government circles for the air raids so long as their operations were confined to the East End. Directly the raiders got a bit nearer the official districts, said the air candidate, a more serious view was taken of the dangers which might accrue to those living in the more affluent portions of London, and " the Government woke up and then England went mad. Why should you discriminate between men and women being blown up in the East End and the West End ? " asked Mr. Pemberton-Billing. And it was this very ill-judged statement which brought a communication from the First Lord of the Admiralty, by means of which every party effort was made to prejudice Mr. Billing's chances. It was a grave pity that such an opening should have been afforded the opposition, especially as Mr. Billing was so very emphatic in making it clear that he was no politician and did not aspire to be one. It rather strikes us that by this slip he somewhat prematurely disclosed his hand, giving reason for thought that, although neither Liberal or Unionist, he might have concealed somewhere about him political ambitions in other directions, which in time might displace Aviation from premier position in his Parliamentary propaganda. However, this is by the way. His unquestionable earnest ness of purpose in promoting the good of aircraft, primarily as a help in ending the war a little earlier, and ultimately as an industry worthy of the most generous fostering, entitles him to the support of those having faith in the future of this Empire in commanding the air. In advocating the support of Mr. Pemberton-Billing we have not the slightest personal objection to his late opponent, Mr. Warwick Brookes, or to any other candidate against whom he may be pitted. " P.-B." is out for the whole hearted pushing of Aviation first and last, and that is sufficient for us, whilst the orthodox " official " candidate is simply, as a rule, a puppet vote, to walk in and out of lobbies under stress of the " whip," Aviation being but the thinnest of laths in the platform of his parliamentary convictions. In offering Mr. Pemberton-Billing our sympathy in his defeat, we shall venture to hope that the elected candidate will not forget the very strong views he has expressed in regard to upholding all that makes for supremacy in the air, and that we shall find in him a helpful supporter of any measures which are likely to bring about this much-to-be-desired position. ® ® disputed. The main duties of aeroplanes, however, are reconnais sance and artillery work, and, in our case, offensive fighting, and it is with reference to these duties that the suitability of our types of machine must be judged mainly. I may say, however, that if the Germans adopted the offensive and came behind our lines we have machines quite equal in efficiency and speed to the Fokker aeroplanes which they employ defensively behind their lines. " In reply to the second part of the question, I would point out that, for the reasons I have mentioned, nearly every fight in the air takes place on the German side of the trenches. As a result, casualties to our aeroplanes and pilots, when they occur, tend to appear excessive by comparison, because the Germans can hide their own whilst advertising ours. But my military advisers are satisfied that our Flying Service has given a good account of itself in recent fighting. 72
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
