THE GERMAN CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 113, 12 May 1917, Page 13

THE GERMAN CLAIM.

NEW AIR BULLETS AND CAMERAS. A journalist has been permitted to inspect the aerodrome at Doberitz (Berlin). His published report says: — "That which escapes the observer's eye, especially when engaging enemy airpen, is recorded by the camera. A comparison between the French and English bplloon-cameras and our own shows that Germany's optical workshops are far ahead of all others. They have produced cameras in contrast to which those captured from the enemy are mere playthings. The various types range from hand-eamorae up to gigantic affaire weighing 4cwt; -rcelL over 6ft in length. They are built into the aircraft, and work by the pressure of a finger. Special stereoscopic photographs can be taken snowing the relief of the land, so that when enemy fortifications have been destroyed their absence is rendered conspicuous." AIRCRAFT WIRELESS. On subject of aircraft wireless the writer saye: — "At the beginning of the war airmen signalled with flags or coloured lights. To-day these methods are absolutely insufficient. By the end of November, 1910, we had succeeded in fitting all our observation aircraft with -wireless telegraphy, so that our observers could receive messages from the most advanced field stations. But improvements rapidly accumulated, and to-day our observers have combined sending and receiving apparatus with a sound intensincr, co that wireless communication can bo maintained in both directions." INCANDESCENT BULLET. lie goes on to state: "German ingenuity has improved aerial ammunition by the invention of the incandescent bullet. In an air fight it is impossible to see where the bullet strikes, and in this matter the incandescent bullet is of the greatest service. It pursues its course like a small comet, and enables the airman to correct his aim. Combined with a phosphorus bullet it becomes incendiary, with a devastating effect for balloons and aircraft. In training airmen to use the machine gun the incendiary bullet has performed excellent service, although registration by film photography is a. cheaper method. Another interesting section shows the development of bombs, from those weighing a few pounds up to bombs weighing 6cwt."