AIR TORPEDOES FOR GERMANY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 302, 15 September 1908, Page 2

AIR TORPEDOES FOR GERMANY.

Messrs. Krupp, of Essen, have acquired all the patent rights in the new air torpedo invented by Colonel Tinge, a Swede, subject to one reservation; that the Swedish Government shall have the right to make full use of the latest weapon in every form. Colonel Uiige, while satisfying his patriotic scruples, has done an excellent stroke of business, as Messrs. Krupp paid a very large sum for the purchase of the patents. The air torpedo (says a Berlin message in a London journal) which is one of the deadliest instruments of destruction yet invented, will be shortly introduced into the German army and navy, which will thereby possess a more effective equipment than any other 'army and navy in the world, with the single exception of Sweden. Colonel Unge's torpedo can bo fired without producing any recoil, hence the torpedo tube is light, and easy to move quickly from place to place. The air topedo tube is conveyed on a motor-ear, and can be speedily unmounted, and fired without any elaborate preparations—much more rapidly than field artillery can be brought into position for firing. The air torpedo can be used in every kind of warfare. In the bombardment of fortresses the new weapon will exercise a destructive effect on tho most formidable works of defence. In field operation! the torpedo can .be hurled against bodies of troops as well as against troops in covered positions. In view of the fact that tho torpedo can bo fired without the least noise it will be difficult for tho enemy to locate tho position of the torpedo battery by which it is being attacked. In coast defence tho air torpedo could bo fired in such a way as to drop on' the deck of hostile battleships. Colonel Unge lias invented an air torpedo of greater-calibre for uso in naval wartarc, so that henceforth warships will be liable to ho torpedoed from abovo as well as beneath the water line. A smaller air torpedo is to be constructed for use in mountain warfare, whore it could be employed in terrains quite iuaccessiblo to mountain artillery'of the present type. Military exports declare that the air torpedo is a truly epoch-making invention, which adds one moro horror to modern warfare.