THE AIR DEFENCES OF GREAT BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2699, 19 February 1916, Page 5

THE AIR DEFENCES OF GREAT BRITAIN

STATEMENT BY LORD KITCHENER By feieerftsh—Presi ABSoelatton-Copyrijlit "(Rec. February 18, 5.25 p.m.) T London, February 17. . . to several questions in the House of Lords, with respect to Britain s preparedness for air defence, Lord Kitchener stated that one Zeppelin was lost at sea after the last raid, and it was believed that a second was put out of action. A public debate on the subject -would he fraught with the risk of giving information to the enemy. This also hampered' a detailed reply to tho questions which were tlie natural outcome of tho dnstardlv German 'outrages on helpless women and children. Up to the present the raids had no influenSb whatever on tho military situation. Three principles governed our air defence—firstly, Rood information of tho arrival and movements of hostile air-craft; secondly,"defence bv artillery from the land; thirdly, attacks by aeroplanes moving faster than Zeppelins. Tho construction of anti-aircraft guns was now given prioritv over otlie? ordnance. Tlie chase of Zeppelins by aeroplanes at night was attended with great difficulties. No order has ev er been sent to air pilots to inako such ascents at niglit, but notice was sent t 0 stations when it was considered possiblo to intercept Zeppelins. OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING FOKICER PLANES. (Rec. February 18, 9,50 p.m.) i . London, February 17. Mr. H. J. Tennant (Under-Secretary for War), in reply to a question in the House of Commons, stated that Fokkor offered tho War Office in 1913 aeroplanes, which were not accepted, they were inefficient and dangerous. Fokkor, since the war, produced two designs, but they wcro not offered to Britain. They wer'o purchased by Germany.