International military digest, quarterly

September, 1915 The International Military Digest Quarterly 5
value to the success of the operations," says
Sir John in his despatch of Nov. 20 * * * "The
•development of their use and employment has
indeed been quite extraordinary, and I feel
sure that no effort should be spared to increase
their numbers and perfect their equipment
and efficiency."
The daring raid of three British aeroplanes
on the Zeppelin factory at Friedrichshafen is
reported to have resulted in the destruction of
the gasworks, and the serious damaging of one
Zeppelin. The machines were of British design,
being 80 h.p. Gnome-engined Avro biplanes,
built in Manchester. Incidentally, the
raid has brought into prominence a vexed
question of international law. As the British
airmen had passed over certain portions of
Swiss territory, the Swiss Government protested
that its neutrality had been violated by this
invasion of Swiss air. In reply, the British
Note stated that the aviators had had formal
instructions not to fly over Swiss territory, and
that their having done so must be attributed
to accident and the difficulty of recognizing
their position at a great height. The Note proceeds
; * * * "The British Government expresses
its deep regret," but "takes this opportunity
of stating that the orders given to the
aviators and the expression of regret are not
to be interpreted as a recognition by the
British Government of the existence of a sovereignty
of the air."
As to the serviceability of the aeroplane in
winter, observers are quoted as testifying to
the clearness with which troops, trenches, etc.
are outlined against a background of snow.
Wind is scarcely more troublesome than in
summer ; cold, though it increases the rigor of
the work and may lead to engine troubles, is
not an insuperable obstacle ; daylight hours are
shortened, but darkness is not necessarily a
drawback to aerial navigation. In short, nothing
less than a big storm can keep the aviators
from doing their work.
In regard to air-ships, it is maintained that
the true function of the dirigible is to operate,
not over the land, where it is vulnerable to
anti-aircraft guns and can expect only the
"moral effect" due to dropping bombs, but as
a sea-scout. With the great air endurance of
the Zeppelins, (about 40 hours) and given clear
weather, they should be able in this capacity
to cover effectively large areas of sea.
The question is raised as to the permanence
. of the hydro-plane, with its cumbersome attached
floats. Will not this additional load
disappear when the craft have attained an
air endurance of say 50 hours? And may not
this be facilitated by the development of an
aeroplane "mother-ship," with launching and
alighting platforms?
The "fléchette," or steel dart, used by the
French airmen, is described; about S inches
long and weighing less than an ounce, it will
"kill or seriously wound a man or horse when
dropped from as low an altitude as 600 feet.
Several thousand of these missiles can be
carried in an ordinary military aeroplane.
[Progress in Aeronautics. By Maj. H. Bannerman-Phillips.
United Service Mag. Feb.
' 'i5- 4SOO words.]
The aeroplane has demonstrated its great
value as an aid to the gunner. Before the
war, it was the policy of the French Minister
of War that each battery of artillery should
have its own avion. This, however, has not
yet been realized. At present, each army
corps has a certain number of squadrons of
aeroplanes as a part of its organization. The
aeroplane is a necessary complement of the
artillery for discovering the exact position of
the enemy's guns. The artillery commander
should have under him his own aeroplanes
so that they could be used at the proper moment
without delay. With the available aeroplanes
under the orders of the corps commander,
the request of the artillery commander
for the use of them has to be transmitted
usually a distance of twenty miles, and two or
three hours elapse before the aeroplanes are
at their new work of observing for the artillery.
The scheme of distributing to each
artillery commander his own quota of aeroplanes,
has the approval of practically all artillery
officers. _ This distribution could be accomplished
without disorganizing any of the
aeronautic services.
In the combined sea and air raid of Dec 25,
none of the British cruisers was damaged
by the bombs dropped by the German Zeppelins.
However, their work suggested a
means of protection against German naval
raids on the English coast. A half dozen rigid
dirigibles stationed within striking distance of
the coast would be a great aid to the coast
defense forces. They would be invaluable for
observation, and in pursuing the enemy would
not be subject to danger from mines strewn
in the wake of their ships. Such air-ships at
a height of 3000 feet and with a speed of 45
miles per hour could observe a large area and
send wireless messages 150 miles to British
war vessels. They could also operate at low
altitudes with trawlers in mine sweeping.
Their carrying capacity would be sufficient for
fuel for a voyage to the German coast and
return, besides carrying enough explosive to
do damage to an object of military importance.
Oversea possibilities have yet to be tested,
but judging from the progress in this respect
with aeroplanes, the_ immediate future may
have some surprises in store.
[The War in the Sky. By Aide-de-Camp
Xavier Sager, Special Correspondent of the
Scientific American. Jour. Military Service
Inst. U. S., Jan-Feb '15. 1500 words.]
Though the public is impressed by aerial
exploits the value of air craft on the offensive
is small, and their real worth is in reconnaissance.
But their importance is limited
even for this purpose, as it is very difficult to
get exact information of troops while flying
at a great height.
The aeroplane has proven its worth against
the dirigible, due to superior speed enabling
it to attack with bombs from above, and in a
fight between aeroplanes superior speed sometimes
counts, though while making an escape
the machine in front is at a great disadvantage.
For dropping bombs on troops and buildings