Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Paævaalebit. MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1915. AN ASHBURTON AEROPLANE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8206, 2 August 1915, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1915. AN ASHBURTON AEROPLANE.

Ashburton having- had the honour of inaugurating in. New Zealand a cafcipaign for the presentation of an aeroplane to the Home Government, fwe hope the ' residents of the County and the Borough) and the town of Hampstead will take up the project with I that enthusiavsm and generosity ] which have characterised their efforts in the various -patriotic schemes launched since-I;the war began. It is. becoming increasingly evident-/"that-: airships have become a-, weapon; of•■.'•'Considerable offensive value;', and - experts appear to be convinced that the recent suggestion that a fleet of 10,000 airships should be constructed for the purpose of making systematic raids into. Germany, is quite within the bounds ;ot' practicability. The Overseas Club has taken up the project, and through the efforts of this organisation a' number of aeroplanes have already been sent to the front. The club has circularised the Mayors of the chief centres of the v Dominion, on the subject, and has, notified that every district which provides can , have ;an aeroplane named after it. Here is an opportunity that Ashbur ton should

not miss. We already have a \ strong personal interest in tlie North Sea -, because of the presence their of our gift battleship, and an even more real connection with the military operations through our trops at the Dardanelles. We could therefore most appropriately make our representation complete by providing a unit of the air fleet. If by doing 1 this we Can assist in the early termination of the war, who can estimate the immense saving in human life? It is estimated, by Mr Blin Desleds, the capable writer!on aerial subjects, that in order.to re-victual the German army in France and Flanders, 2140 trains must daily cross .the 15 principal bridges over the Rhine, and he has suggested that it would be a comparatively easy matter for a big fleet of airships to destroy most.of these bridges. There would have to be sacrifices, of course,, but Mr Desleds has no i doubt that British airmen would be prepared to make them. The effect, of the destruction of the bridges \yould be .to reduce the German troops in the west to practical starvation. These trains also have to cross the Meuse, in France, over seven bridges, and it has often puzzled laymen to understand why :an attempt has never been made to cripple the German supply system by aerial attacks, at these points: This may come sooner than the uninitiated expect, and it would be a matter for great.pride if amongst the fleet that will accomplish it was an aeroplane representing this district. We confidently appeal to the residents of both town and country to aid this project, and would remind them that "he who. gives promptly gives twice." .. '