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Aviation History
1917
1917 - 1347.PDF
DECEMBER 20, 1917. WSMSmOMTiWMDS SIR WILLIAM WEIR'S appointment, by the Minister ofMunitions, as Director-General of Aircraft Production spells strength of purpose and organisation. On December 14th,both the President of the Air Board, Lord Rothermere, and Sir William Weir were received by the King at BuckinghamPalace. ALTHOUGH the new title of Sir William is somewhat differentto that of Controller of Aeronautical Supplies, under which he has hitherto carried out such effective national work,much the same work will remain with Sir William. It is the fact that he is able to remain, strengthened, under the newAir Ministry, that counts. His energy as seen as Director of Munitions in Scotland, will find an unlimited field fordevelopment with the Air Force. REAR-ADMIRAL ROBERT E. PEARY, of the United States, isoptimistic and emphatic upon the future, and particularly the carrying capacity of aeroplanes in the days to come. Hesays that perhaps before the war is over, but certainly in the next war, if we have another, aeroplanes will carry artilleryas heavy as the famous French 75's, and when that time comes the aeroplane will be invulnerable. It will be able to soarover any field, water, or mountainous country, carry enor- mous numbers of troops far behind the enemy lines, and dothe -work of cavalry, infantry, and artillery combined. Admiral Peary, who has been intimately concerned with the develop-ment of a great aerial programme for America, also predicts German attacks in the not far distant future, on Americancoast cities. MORE and more aeroplanes without question are needed for a successful issue to the war. Yet the waste and dissipation of man-poWer in the past for their construction must have been appalling, simply for Want of a little imagination in those Who have had the calling of the tune. Whilst the mere civilian has had the privilege of paying the piper. In this connection, by Way of instance, organ-builders have, it is stated, proved to be among the best aeroplane makers, yet the Federation of Master Organ-builders points out that the whole of the craft might have been secured for the Work if the Government had accepted their offer, made nearly three years ago, of factories, plant, and staffs for the duration of the war for the manu- facture of War material, including aeroplane parts. With the gradual stoppage of Work, * organ-builders, so states the Federation, have had to close down. Not only, therefore, has the opportunity been lost for making the best use of these skilled men, but also the task of restoring to its former pre-eminent position an; industry now plunged in ruin has been rendered exceedingly difficult. It would appear to have been about time a firm hand grappled with the all- important National Service problem. Under present-day conditions Sir Auckland Geddes' task is hardly an envious one, but he appears to be grasping the nettle With a pretty firm hand, and there is distinct promise of a drastic change in methods, whilst a proper sense of proportion in the nation's requirements is'not being lost sight of. BY way of further instance in this direction of official muddles, take the remarks only the other day of Sir Donald Maclean, chairman of the House of Commons Tribunal, upon the indifference with Which some Government Depart- ments regard offers of service by skilled men. The case referred to by Sir Donald, was that of a man named Bridgland, B 1. aged 40, an engineer and fitter. Several adjournments had been granted to enable him to obtain work in the R.F.C. His counsel, Mr. Frampton, related how Bridgland went to the local recruiting officer and was referred to the Polytechnic Then he was sent to Farnborough, and after the tribunal had granted another adjournment he was taken on at Kingston Barracks to undergo tests, and later sent to Woolwich for the same purpose. When he applied at the Board of Trade he Was told that they had no use for his services, and it was suggested that his employer might take him back. Eventually he Was put into khaki on December 1st, posted to the Mechanical Transport. A.S.C., as a learner, and put on washing floors and plates. AT this stage. Sir Donald said " I wish the Ministry of National Service could hear this recital. It gets more and more tragic as the war goes on. It is no longer a comedy ; it is just a tragedy. He is a skilled man, 40 years of age, and is now on fatigue duty washing plates. He has no right to be put into the Army, especially incidentally for the purpose of washing plates." TRULY it is indeed a tragedy, especially when taken in con- junction with the progress of German aviation'efforts as set out by Mr. G. H. Perris, the Daily Telegraph correspondent, who is in close touch with the French Armies at the front. " By the efforts of the past year which I recently reported," Mr. Perris writes, " General von Hoeppner has brought the strength of the German aviation services up to rather morethan 200 squadrillas, representing a total of about 2,500 machines. They are divided as follows : Bombarding squadrillas, 23 ; chasers, 40 ; protection squadrillas, 30 ; patrol squadrilla9, 80 ; artillery squadrillas, 100 ; total, 273. To these groups must be added the aeroplanes and hydroplanes of the Navy, a dozen or more garrison squadrillas, and about a dozen training groups." MR. PERRIS continues: " I have before me a detailed account of the fate of rather more than fifty Zeppelins, which explains in the most satisfactory manner why these prodigious vessels no longer frighten the world, and so far as land operations are concerned can no longer be seriously counted in the air services. Apart from two destroyed before the war, the list may be summarised as follows :—Destroyed in Germany. 5 ; destroyed in neutral countries or near the front, 5 ; de- stroyed in England, by the British Navy, or on their Way home from England, 15 ; others destroyed at sea, 2 ; out of use, 5 ; in use as training-schools, 4 ; in use chiefly in the North Sea, 9. Considering the millions of pounds spent and the un- limited hopes built upon these monsters, we may regard the result as one of the most conspicuous fiascos in the history of industrial and military science." * m A German single- seater fighting biplane of the F. F. (Flugzeug- bau Friedrichs- hafen) type. m mm m m 1347 I -
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