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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1561.PDF
THE strength of a nation's fighting force is its insurance premium against wars. When false economists scream against a strong aircraft fleet and preparedness generally, let them bear in mind one of Lord Jellicoe's most recent utterances in Canada : " Despite the remoteness of future wars, Britain should be prepared, just as any man prepared against fire They appreciated the necessity for economy but, appreciating that, they should not forget the cost of one day of the Great War." FROM the story and statistics compiled by the Navy League and published in their official journal, regarding the sinking of submarines in the War, the figures, at' given, for the work of seaplanes are somewhat striking. It has hitherto been popularly accepted that quite a big batch of these pests was actually sent to " kingdom come " by aircraft. The actual number credited as destroyed by bombs from seaplanes is five, and by airships one. The five accounted for by sea planes were despatched between May 20 and September 28, 1917. This is getting down to earth, so far as actual de struction is concerned, although there are instances which appear to have been overlooked in the League's summary, by way of. example, the sinking of a submarine off Ostend on August 26, 1915, by bombs from an aeroplane piloted by Comdr. Bigsworth. But where the real strength and value of aircraft came in in our forces countering the Hun submarine menace, was in the " spotting" carried out, enabling many a one to receive the coup de grdce by co-operating methods. THAT it is necessary and expedient for the Government to close down the National Aircraft Factory at Waddon may well be. But it would appear to be inviting trouble in the long-run for the Croydon Council to suggest that the Government shou'd start manufacturing useful wood and metal goods there. Surely it is due to private enterprise to take on the task in that or some other industrial form. With scarcity of factory buildings, there should be no necessity §Hi :;X::»!::':t ':- i'2:'''':'-:-[ '•*UVAv.*v**;V ':vX;*':'-*.v.V;V; ££vyS£% $&£&$ $P$% «i •>.v>::«:::: • MOST ANNOYING !—II. When you've left your cigarette case in your hip pocket and you've got your sidcot on. 1563
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