"ARCHIES" RECORD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 217, 7 June 1919, Page 9

"ARCHIES" RECORD

ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNNERS IN WARTIME TOTAL BAG OF THE GUNS While tho anti-aircraft guns of home defences have figured largely in the public Press, few people probably realise (says the "Manchester Guardian") the valuable work done by similar guns in the various theatres of War in which our. ramies have been engaged. Tho public hear a great deal about the R.A.1 1 ., the number of hostile aircraft brought down by our 'planes, aerial battles, etc., ibu.t probably do not understand the extent to which "Archie" (as tho anti-aircraft gun is popularly termed), together with its kindred and indispensable adjuncts, the anti-aircraft searchlights and antiaircraft machine-gun companies, has assisted in the limitation of hostile bomV mg and reconnaissance. Although tho facts and figures given below refer to tho work of tho antiaircraft artillery, searchlights, and ma-chine-guns in France, equally valuable results havo been achieved in other theatres of war. The total bag of the guns from January 1, 1918, up to tho signing of the armistice was as follows:— Hostile 'planes , definitely "crashed" or forced to land in our lines ... 171 Planes forced down out of control ... 73 Total 2« During the same period tho bag of tho special A.A. machine-guns and machineguns_ fitted with special sights for use by the infantry was:— 'Planes "crashed" 27 Making a grand total in 10i months, of ...... 271 Now these figures may not appear largo in comparison with tho number of 'planes .brought down in o like period by the R.A.F., but it must bo remembered that the effect of A.A. guns and searchlights is defensive rather thanf offensive, and that over and above any physical effect there remains the moral effect' of these weapons which produces results of no little value. No-'plane is able to make good reconnaissance, take photographs, or direct artillery fire, when it is compelled to remain at considerable heights (often over 16,000 feet) or continually to dodge about to avoid shells. Moreover, by a system of placing shell bursts in the direction of and at tho same height as onerny 'planes, the latter have often been pointed out to our aircraft, even when out of 'rango of tho guns. Observation balloons, which tho enemy constantly attack, have always been under the watchful supervision of A.A. guns, which, in addition to firing barrages for their defence, warn them by telephone of impending attacks. Although it can never bo possible to render a balloon absolutely immune against sudden attacks from behind low clouds, or against largo numbers of ''planes approaching simultaneously fromi all' directions, yet many balloons and the lives of their' occupants have been saved by the aid of "Archie."