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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 0609.PDF
JUNE 6, 1918. ,£•:,,:: ~j.:::O::,r.,,u" ':.;.?.: 'r;:s:-z:'-' lls this, to a nation of thieves, murderers and ravishers, as the Huns have gloried in manifesting themselves, could have any other effect than that of making sport for those to whom it is addressed and giving further point to the German jest that we shall "always be fools," entirely passes comprehension. Really, we are at a loss to understand it. No worse piece of utter futility could be imagined than to address such an appeal to the Boche. >. ; . • 1 Siege The Daily Mail has from the very earliestdays °f tne aerial movement regarded the future and development of aircraft with a wider vision than most of its contemporary journals. Long before the war it took the lead among the great newspapers in urging the importance of the r61e to be played by aircraft in the wars of the future. Therefore, it has every justification now in adopting the attitude of: " We told you so ! " In a recent leading article under the heading quoted above, the Mail dwells on what it describes as the coming siege of Germany by air. As it very truly remarks, the world stands on the threshold of tre- mendous events, and the immense power of aircraft which hitherto was visible only to the eye of faith, is now to be demonstrated in the field. We are about to witness one of those transformations which come only once in centuries when a new order of weapon conclusively proves its power. Expressed differently, this is exactly what we ourselves said a few weeks ago when discussing the revolution in warlike method, which aircraft are certain to effect in the very near future and which we repeated only last week in speaking of the delay caused to the enemy's offensive by Allied operations in the air. When, over two years ago, the Daily Mail—and, incidentally, this journal—urged that if it was impossible to go through the enemy's front there was a way over if we would bend our energies to the pro- vision, of an overwhelming number of aeroplanes, the people who were supposed to know said it could not be done in this war. Not only can it be done, but we are, we are fully convinced, at the beginning of a real siege of Germany by air—a siege which will, as we hope and believe, prove to be the last decisive factor in the war. . - This "much may be said without any fear of giving useful information to the enemy—and he is very welcome to as much as we are going to say—that the Allied preparations, which have been made with a high degree of skill and foresight will astonish not only the enemy but even the Allied peoples when the time comes to open the great siege in real earnest. Not only is our own programme well under way—so well that we are able to definitely claim aerial superiority over the enemy—but at last, after admitted failures and disappointments, the American programme is beginning to make itself felt. It has been allowed to transpire that during the past month no fewer than 1,300 American aero- planes were sent to France and that is only the beginning. Such a number of machines is in itself a splendid reinforcement, but it has a deep significance far outweighing the material aid it represents. What it means is that all the difficulties have been success- fully surmounted and production in quantity has been achieved at last. By way of emphasis, the latest news is that one firm alone will shortly be turning out 100 complete aero engines a day. What that in its turn means we doubt not the Germans will realise as well, if not better, than ourselves. Indeed, there is good reason for the belief that they already realise the significance of the war in the air and are striving to force a decision of the war favourable to the German arms before the Allied air power puts its attainment out of the question. Air Raids on Paris. AN official report issued on May 28th stated :— " Yesterday evening about ten enemy aercplanes flyingin the direction of Paris were signalled by our observation posts. The warning was given at 10.34. Barrage fire wasopened by the anti-aircraft batteries. A number of bcmbs were dropped in the outlying districts, but no machinesucceeded in reaching Paris itself. The ' All clear' was given at 11.45." The following was issued on May 30th :— " Yesterday evening the enemy displayed great aerial activity, and dropped bombs in various places behind the front. Some aeroplanes were reported to be making for Paris. The warning was given at 11.24, an^ our means of defence were put into action. No enemy machine passed the violent artillery barrage or flew over Paris. Some bombs were dropped in the outskirts. " An enemy aeroplane was hit by our anti-aircraft batteries and fell in flames. The ' All-clear ' was given at 12.34." The following was issued on May 31st : " Some hostile aeroplanes crossed the lines yesterday evening and flew towards Paris. Signalled by our observa- tion posts, they were at once shelled by our defence batteries. The warning was given at 10.59, and the 'All clear' at midnight. Some bombs were dropped in the Paris region, but no victims have been reported. Thus once more can be seen Germany's contempt of the most sacred engagements for the least that could be expected was that the German Government should observe, with regard to Paris, on the occasion of Corpus Christi, the same reserve as had been solicited on behalf of Cologne." The following was issued on June 1st:— " Enemy aeroplanes having crossed the lines making for Paris, an alarm was sounded last night at 10.53, and the anti-aircraft defences opened fire. No bombs were dropped on Greater Paris. The ' All clear ' was given at 11.47. Fresh sounds of motors having been reported by our observation posts, a second alarm was given at 11.56. The second ' all clear' was given at 12.38. A certain number of bombs are reported to have been dropped on the Paris district." 1 PAPER-RATIONING. WARNING TO READERS As has been foreshadowed for some time, greater official restrictions upon the sale of papers have become necessary, and after June 24th newspapers will not be permitted to be distributed under the scheme known as "Sale or Return." This means that those readers who wish to receive "FLIGHT" regularly, must place a definite order with their bookstall or newsagent for a copy to be reserved, or, as the only alternative, send an order to the Publishing Office, 36, Great Queen Street, Kingsway, W.C. 2, for "FLIGHT" to be sent each week by post. The direct subscription, by P.O.O. or Cheque, is as follows :— -• ~.*; /. •-..i*. ... 3 months. 6 months. 12 months. .. ••::.•;• ;;^!^asTJ|3B?V> . ' - • •••' •• - s< d. s« rf< s. d, •;Ui ,*.-.-%?43 5<TsJPr United Kingdom.. '..•7 1 14 1 28 2 . .- • •±fH —7-^ Abroad .. .... 8 3 16 6 33 0 The above is imperative as from June 24tb if you wish to get " FLIGHT " each week. 607
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