BALLOON v. GUNFIRE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 336, 24 October 1908, Page 5

BALLOON v. GUNFIRE.

AIRSHIPS BEWARE! QUICK-FIRERS AT WORK. 1 ■ • A RANGE OF NEARLY TWO MILES.— (BY TKLSGBiPn—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTKIBHt.) St. Petersburg, October 22, Trials in Russia show that quick-firers, trained at an angle of 40 degrees* would be an excellent defence against airships. Projectiles aimed at a dirigible balloon rose to a height of nearly two milest GERMAN-TESTS; Tests of artillery attack on a free balloon were carried out by a machine-gun section at Augsbury, Germany, in July. It is Etated that within a short time the balloon was hit, and was compelled to descend. The subjects of airships in war was discussed at tha recent Peace Congress in London, Professor Ouiddo protesting against airships being regarded onlj- from a military standpoint. M. Vanderpol, of Ljons, held that the use of the balloon iu war need not cause any great anxiety. They could not carry a great quantity of explosives, and besides, the ;snells would be very carefully dropped upon members of general staffs perhaps. They might succeed in blowifag ti{> a few generals and destroying a few-strategic points, but he did not think more people would be killed, although the killing would be more appropriate. A resolution was adopted declaring that the Convention prohibiting the throwing of projeotiles from balloons, should be adhered to by the 22 States who refused to re-sign it at the Hague Congress of 1907.