GERMANY'S ATR CHIEF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 117, 4 February 1918, Page 6

GERMANY'S ATR CHIEF

THE MAN WHO DIRECTS THE RAIDS ON BRITAIN. The German authorities realised after the Battle of the Somme, said Reuter's special correspondent at French Headquarters recently, that their defeat was due to the Allies' superiority in the air, and steps were immediately taken to reform the whole air service. The task was entrusted to General von Hoeppner, a young cavalry officer, who had been Chief of General von Below's staff, Colonel Thomson, the former chief, being appointed as his chief assistant, and the Kaiser invested them with the fullest powers. His first step was to increase the outnut of aeroplanes lj. an almost unlimited commandeering of factories with appropriate plant, and by a comprehensive scheme of standardisation. Next an energetic Press campaign was inaugurated, with the object of increasing the number of recruits for the air service and attracting the best type of men.

General von Hqeprmer realised that the side which can keep its machines in the air iho largest number of hours, is the most likely to win. Hβ set to work to reorcanise and increase the staffs of mechanics to repair the machines as quickly as possible, so that the intervals of idleness between rach flight are reduced to a minimum. TCach squadron of six aeroplanes now Ims a staff of 100 to 120 men, and each machine has three or four mechanics. Finallv it is tho new chief who lias orcranisecl the Gntha raids on England, and is responsible for tho now strategy and tactic 3 in Uie air.