WAR IN THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2267, 29 September 1914, Page 7

WAR IN THE AIR

: -O . .. M. GUILLAUX'S VIEWS. . Discussing in Sydney recently the 6ubiect of the aeroplane in war, M. Guillaux, the well-known aviator, expressed the view that aerial machines would prove perhaps tho greatest factor in the present' struggle. "Airmen will crowd to the theatre of the war from all quarters of. the -earth, and there will be some thrilling incidents," ho said. "In the night time the dirigible balloon 'will rise for reconnoitring purposee. But if perchance one is sighted by the enemy's aeroplanes it will quickly be destroyed. The engines of the military aircraft, of course, will be silenced just in the same .manner as a- motor-engine. The whistling of the wind over the planes will be the only indication of their headlong progress through the night. The 'planes, in such circumstances will prove- to be impossible targets for the gunners underneath, while their crews unobserved, can wreak vengeance- with explosives on the crowded trenches, or on the bulky and almost helpless airships. Germany, lays great forto in her dirigiblo airships, and possesses more of both the rigid and semi-rigid types than any other nation. The German 'planes are heavy and slow." Tho airmen of France, according to M. Guillaux, are equipped " with . quick-rising 'planes, which are also very fast.. "With one of the latest type," M. Guillaux remarked, "1 could locate any army within an area of 2CO miles fiom my base without I firmly believe, the eneniy being any the wiser. To hide themselves from the eyes of the airman they must be undor cover of a roof. _ Groat as is Germany's strength in dirigibles, she would not remain in the field long against these fast-Hying 'planes. While the heavy German biplanes were rising 3000 ft. a French squadron could have risen 6000 ft., and then," M. Guillaux added significantly, "thero would ho the bombs!"