THE FACE FOR AIR SUPREMACY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2630, 27 November 1915, Page 4

THE FACE FOR AIR SUPREMACY

When the present war began all ;he belligerents realised that aircraft were bound to play an important part in the struggle, but there was much disagreement among experts as to the offensive and defensive capabilities of this new weapon. Some predicted that it would have a revolutionary effect on existing methods of warfare, while others were of opinion that its sphere of usefulness would be very limited. Nothing but the test of actual experience could reveal the true value of aircraft_ as a factor in the conflict of nations. In the early stages of the war the use made of the new arm was in a large measure experimental. The strong and weak points of the various types of machine were ascertained. Our enemies borrowed some of our ideas, and we got some useful hints by watching their successes and tboir failures. The highest inventive skill in the world has been engaged in the task of producing the most formidable fighbing airships and aeroplanes. Modifications and improvements are being' continually made, and the air fleets of all the belligerent Powerß are more efficient to a surprising degree, to-day than they were a year ago. A great battle of brains has been going on for mastery in the air. New ideas are constantly finding embodiment in new types of flying 9 machines. A few days ago it was announced in our cable columns that the Germans were boasting that a wonderful new machinp—a combined Zeppelin and aeroplan&—was being constructed in Berlin. As against this, the ■French, have pAdqced a machine which promises to be a terror to Zeppelins and all other aircraft, and the British also liave new models whioh have accomplished great things- Russia's giant aeroplanes apparently have been a- sucoess, for Germany is now copying them. Modern scienco and invention has achieved such marvels that one hardly dares to say that_ anything is impossible in aeronautics. The Zeppelin has fallen far short of German expectations, but there is nothing to Ijo gained by under-rating its offensive capacities. Those who talk about the "Zeppelin gafe'co" should bo reminded that the British Government has thought it necessary to ask Sir Pehcy Scott to take charge of the gunnery defences of London against attack by enemy aircraft. In commending this step, a writer who has made a special study of the use of aircraft in war remarks that "presently it will appear that in the ding-dong race of mechanical progress in this war our anti-aircraft gunnery will spring a surprise on the Zeppelins _ such as will make them give us a wide berth for a period." France lias enormously incroased her air power during the progress of the war. Some British and Ameri can journalists who recently paid a visit to one of the aircraft centres in Franco were deeply impressed by what they saw. _ No words could give such a vivid idea of the meaning of a great modern war as was conveyed by that great fleet of aeroplanes. Stretched out before the visitors was "an aerial army, formed in divisions and squadrons, with battle aeroplanes, cruiser aeroplanes, scouts, and torpedo planes, all heavily armoured and carrying three-inch cannon and rapid-firing mitrailleuses." It was not a romantic dream, but a real and visible proof of the progress _ France_ has made in military aviation. Britain is building aircraft at a tremendous rata. Ono authority tells us that smuetliiug new is being attempted evooißwatK and new# all tJw ax-J

periments have been fruitful. The obvious necessity for secrccy makes it impossible to give anything like detailed information regarding the constructional work \yiiich is being done. The experiences of the present struggle indicate that in future the fate of nations will large'y depend on tho results of battles fought by mighty aerial fleets. Why should not air battles of this magnitude take place now 1 An answer to Una very natural question is given by AE3IAN in an instructive article _ in Blackwood's Magazine. Ho points out that unless the pre; sent hostilities continue much longer than is generally expected, it would bo impossible to. construct the immenso air fleets or to train the necessary number of pilots and assistants to enable aircraft to assume tlw role of paramount importance it is destined, to play in the futuiv:. Me. I) arman things it possible, however, that if the war goes on for another year or more, a really formidable aerial fleet, . independent of the auxiliary aerial forces indispensable to tho army, will bo organised by one or more of tho belligerent States, and he is convinced that tho Power whioh first accomplishes this feat will thereby acquire a very substantial advantage over its adversaries. When the war began Germany's air power was superior to that of her adversaries, but supremacy in this department of the conflict has passed into tho hands of tho Allies, and there is good reason to believe that as time goes on their margin of superiority Is more likely to be increased than diminished.