AIRSHIPS IN WAR TIME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 66, 8 September 1911, Page 7

AIRSHIPS IN WAR TIME.

BRITISH ARMY COUNCIL'S INSTRUCTIONS.

Provisional regulations for the organisation and employment of the new air battalion recently rtised at Aldershot, a portion of which is now on Salisbury Plain, have been issued by the Army Council.

The Army Council regard the new unit as one of the most valuable means of obtaining information at the disposal ot the commander of an army. It. will not, however, displace other means of, acquiring information, such as cavalry ajid agents, but will be used in conjunction with such services. The air 'battalion is to be so distributed that the units may not only be placed in the best positions to obtain information, .but to co-operate with the otli-er arms, and especially with the cavalry, in this all-important service.

The maimer in which reconnaissance is to be carried out is to be left generally to the discretion of those who will actually undertake the duty. It is considered that there is less risk from positions behind rather than in front or on the llank of the enemy when seeking information, us the enemy's dispositions will proimbly have been made with a view to concealment from observation the front and Hanks rather than from the rear, whilst for fear of damaging his own troops he may heart-ate to tire' on vessels sailing over the rear of his columns. Vessels, also, when so placed may escape fire through being mistaken for friendly aircraft. The presence of troops if in the open, can be observed in clear wesi.ther at an altitude of 5000 to 6000 feet, within a radius of four to six miles from the aeroplane or dirigible. When nearer the earth objects will be rather more ea-il.v distinguished, but are a shorter time in view, and the area is restricted.

HOW HIGH TO GO. , Dirigibles, it is stated, will he exposed to considerable danger from artillery fire wWeh lower'than 4500 ft, or within a range of 5000 yards, and from rifle or machine-gun fire when at a height of less than 3500 feet, or at ranges under 2000 yards. Against aeroplanes it is thought that the fire of field artillery will rarely .lit; effective at. 4500 ft, or at a range of -KfoO "yawls and upwards, whilst reasonable security from the fire of small arms irtity'lie fcxpeeted when 3000 ft from the etlrth or.at ranges of 2000 yards and over.

High speed, movements in curves, and fre,(pent changes of direction and elevation are suggested as means to reduce the jHisjsibility of .being shot. Concealment in the clouds, if possible, when opprojiching. the. enemy is another useful hint.

For transmission of intelligence from dirigibles wireless telegraphy, signalling, or .carrier pigeons can he used. There are difficulties in conveying messages from I aeroplanes ky signal, which can be over- | came, ljy the use of a motor car procecd- | ing to some suitable locality where it packet caiijie, dropped at tiie machine passes overhead, and this can be convcded to the coinmarider. Captive balloons and kites are warned not to he used for any length of time within 5000 yards of the enemy's artillery, and good cover is necessary.£or-t,he balloons' descent. PKteLEMS OF ATTACK. , , ; ,In conditions of ground and he held uitder observation from a captive: fialJooij, oV,,kjt(K:whilst the ffl'ect of ar't"fl|ter'v .(ire <jan : ..)><j observed at a distance of SOOO yards, or even further in the case' of heavy artillery. _ I In decidiygi w.hetller it is advisable to I open 'fire nil airships, the possibility of I "I?V , fl i ,«B !^r r - if fire is reserved is Special «bservation ipicijlwl in distinguishing 'between ' friendly. ;i)'nd hostile craft .ifiye. information to ■ jn»ach,i«;-giin '.('Oiniiiafi , ' I Y'l/o\,')^'li prepared to fire much s:(.iiie against moving