SEAPLANES' SUCCESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9601, 8 September 1921, Page 2

SEAPLANES' SUCCESS.

GERMAN U BOATS SMASHED.

MAY REVOLUTIONISE NAVAL WARFARE. NEW YORK, July 27. Two vivid flashes of flame, a huge column of spray 55 miles off the Virginian coast, and the former German submarine U-117 sank m four minutes. As the three naval air boats, their task swiftly, accomplished, flirted gaily homeward over the silent line of Americaai battleships, even the keenest advocate of the big ship policy must have wondered if the contrast symbolised a new era m naval warfare. The seaplanes' success ended the first of a series of United States battle tests, which hold profound significance for Australia and New Zealand. When Brigadier-General Mitchell, of the American air sea-vice, told a Congressional committee that the development of military aircraft was rapidly making even the super-dreadnought obsolete, he became the target for all advocates of a "three-plane navy" — by which is meant a combination of surface vessels, submarines, and air- : craft. Yet, so far General Mitchell has proved his case, or the navy has courteously done it for him. More valuable lessons, will be learned when the ancient battleship, lowa, obedient to the wireless control of the big warship, Ohio — exercised at a distance of six miles — plays hide and seek a hundred miles at sea with a swarm of aerial defenders until it is found and bombed with dummy "eggs." But the real verifications may come when eixplosives rain, down on the modern cruiser Frankfurt, and two days later on the heavily armoured Ostfriesland, which was one of the German first battle squadron at Jutland. The preliminary, the annihilation of a German destroyer, will merely whet the world's appetite. The bombs used against the large vessels will be gradually increased m size until finally 1,800 or 3,0001b*. projectiles will crash down from the giant Martin planes. Many examinations will be made by United States experts to determine the effects of each class of bomb, and the Ostfriesland may be kept afloat for a week. Opening Bombardment. Tho opening bombardment of the U boat was entrusted to the Navy, which had 24 planes m readiness, and 22 army machines stood by to complete the task if needed.. Three F5-L bombing planes, each carrying four 1631 b. bombs, smashed the submarine with ease. Concentric red, white and blue circles had been painted on the deck of the former enemy warship, and as she lay at anchor, washed by the waves, the target was clearly visible not only to the airmen, but to the assembled line of battleships and destroyers. Flying at between 70 and 80 miles an hour, at a height of 1,200 feet, the naval planes each flung a bomb. Spray rose nearly 200 feet, burying the target which was reeling but afloat as the planes swung round with the breeze', and, returning, dropped three more "eggs" each. The first salvo had fallen within a few feet of the submarine, but this time the navy's planes scored at least one direct hit, tearing open the ex-raider amidships. In 15 minutes from the first attack, and four minutes after the second, the ocean closed over the conning tower of a shattered foe. The light bombs used took about eight seconds from release to contact, and could be seen clearly against the sky as they fell. Whatever the effect of the huge missileß carried by 'planes like the Martin may be on the armoured warvessels, it has been conclusively proved that a very mild dose of 1171 b of TNT (tri-nitrotoluol) m a 1631 b aero bomb can put a submarine under water m about the time necessary to boil an egg. Australia will doubtless realise that the flame and spray off Cape Charles, Virginia, demonstrated the havoc which a handful of her fliers could create m midst of crowded transports 100 or 200 miles from Dartvin. As a defensive arm, the aeroplane offers infinite possibilities. Fine Naval Efficiency. Spectacular arid . magnificent m marksmanship, the subsequent sinking of two more U-boats by American destroyers did not heal the wounded pride of the blue water school, but as a gunnery lesson, the test was a superb illustration of naval efficiency. With only their conning towers and backbones showing, the former German ! ships awaited the destroyers, which raced past m line formation at a distance of 3000 yardsj the Dickerson leading four sister ships at a speed of 20 knots. Firing obliquely, the Dickersen sent bQ four-inch explosive shells m four minutes at the Ul4O, a fine type of 1916 submarine of 1930 tons surface displacement, and a surface cruising radius of 18,000 miles, with a speed of nearly 16 knots; she was 302 feet m length, and m the war carried a crew of 83. Nineteen of the 39 shots struck, some landing on the slightly _ exposed superstructure m direct hits, and others being ricochets. The Ul4O began slowly to settle astern, then listed to starboard ; finally she stood on her stern and slipped 70 fathoms down Jnto the Atlantic, an hour and 24 minutes from the first shell.