GERMAN RESPECT FOR OUR AIRMEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2335, 17 December 1914, Page 7

GERMAN RESPECT FOR OUR AIRMEN

CONFESSIONS OF A GENERAL. German commanders in the field were last month instructed by a special order of the day issued from General Headquarters to take greater precautions against aeroplanes. A copy of this order came, into the possession of the ■French General Staff, and'makes very interesting reading. It is a full acknowledgment of the , wonderful work done by the c.ir service of the Allies, and it makes special mention of the "success of the French artillery, which. has caused us' such marked losses." The instructions throw light on some of the problems of modern warfare.

Here is. the text of this important German "order of the day" : According to the report of a squadron of aeroplane observers, our troops are very easy to mark in fighting, in spite or their grey uniform, because of tho density ot their formation, while the French know apparently how to protect themselves perfectly against aerial reconnaissances. During a fight it is necessary that our troops should mako tho task of aerial reconnaissance more difficult by more careful use of the country—making use of narrow files along trees, edges of villages, the shelter of houses, avoiding mass formation: above all, absolute stillness in exposed places. At the approach of an aeroplane all movement ought to cease. It is necessary to assimilate the coverings of artillery to tho surrounding ground, not only in front but also against the view from abovo. Avoid all movement of batteries as soon as an aeroplane surveys the position; a single man in movement will betray a battery. Upon the approach of an enemy aeroplane there should be no firing, for the flash of the gun. betrays the position from afar. ' To satisfy themselves regarding the visibility of their positions the commandants of brigades, regiments, or groups of artillery will find tho air squadrons willing to make flights for them_ of ten to twenty minutes' duration in order that they may survey their own positions. The fact should be noted that in a first flight an observor does not seo very much. The advice of the airmen nhould be taken as to the best-.manner in which to conceal positions. ' The success of the French artillery, which has caused us such marked losses, is, due, in tho first place, to the fact that the French are more often able than us to determine tho positions of batteries. To equal them it is necessary that our observations should be pushed, like theirs, far in advance of the lines, even if that should render it impossible to direct the fire of batteries by the voice. Abovo all, reconnaissances of tho enemy's batteries should be made at all cost by men of good courage, who will slip across the lines of the sharpshooters of the enemy to points which will permit of distant views.—Von Bergmann.