Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1918. AERIAL SUPREMACY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1918, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1918. AERIAL SUPREMACY.

The importance of the Allies retaining- the supremacy of the air is becoming- more and more apparent ' as the war progresses. Jn the great battle that is now raging- on the Western Trout our aviators are playing a most important part, ‘ and the disaster that has over-

taken the Germans is in no small measure due to the valuable work done by English, French, and American aviators. When the history of the war is finally written, an important place must be occupied in recounting the deeds of the airmen. The inse of the alias a science is practically in its infancy, and yet most marvellous progress has already been made. For this the war is mainly responsible. In the piping times of peace no civilised people would take such risks as those which our aerial squadrons hourly face- The exigencies of modern warfare showed that a fourth arm of the service was absolutely essential, and so aviation came into its own. The place that it has secured will be retained and amplified and in a few short years it will revolu-* tionise all our present ideas of travelling. The laws that govern the air are being slowly revealed nt the cost of many valuable lives. In flying, more than in any other science, great importance

attaches fo 1 lie nerve ami presence of mind of fhe man alone. At the present lame it is impossible to rcyounl in detail the wonderful deeds of daring' that are being' performed by our aviators. In the hrst place, the publication would be of great importance to the enemy, but more important still, the science of aviation is advancing so rapidly that deeds that are regarded as marvellous the one day become mere common-place the next. We frequently read in our cable news: “Our air craft was very active and proved of assistance to our artillery" ; or again “Ten of or machines bombed an important dock Five failed to return.” Truth is stranger than fiction; but few of us realise the wonderful work that is summarised in the brief cable report. JS T ot only are our aircraft exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy’s anti-aircraft guns, but they have to ward off the attacks of hostile machines, and fly in very had weather when the conditions of the air make flying a perpetual menace to life. Our seaplanes are playing a most important part iu warding* off the submarine menace. ■ The seaplanes are skimming* over the sea in all weathers watching* for signs of a lurking* TT-hoat. Once these indications are observed, destroyers are promptly advised by wireless, and the unfortunate submarine is followed until its doom is assured. The dropping* of bombs is tlie popular idea of the use of aircraft in war. It is far from being* the most important use- The attacks on British towns by Zeppelins have caused intense excitement, but the loss of life by means of aerial attacks is not yet equal to the toll taken by the London traffic of the inhabitants of the great metropolis. Why have the Zeppelins ceased their visits to England? Simply because the Huns find that it does not pay. The loss of airships was greater and had a more depressing effect on the Germans than could he compensated by the damage and loss of life brought about in Loudon. To attack London, which is a considerable distance from the nearest German base, requires some skill and forethought. The defences of London are now particularly strong. The Germans find it increasingly difficult to discover really good pilots. Hence it is that they do not care to risk an attack on a city that can hit back so heavily as London. The improvement in the class of bombing machines in use has given the Allies’ airmen opportunity to visit several important German cities, and Coblenz, iu particular, lias good reason to remember the attack made upon it. When the Germans made tbeir first night raids, there was considerable discussion regarding* the advisability of aeroplanes flying* in the dark. The problem received special consideration, and the result has been that night flying has become an important part of the aviator’s duties. When the Germans first used the Eokker machines they were considered marvellous, and it was considered that they had deprived the Allies of. the mastery of the air. The Allies succeeded in capturing one of the Fokkers intact, and then it was found that it was very little different from those used by the French and British. The pilot is, after all, more important than even the machine, dust as in the navy it is the “man behind the guns” who counts for everything, so in aerial warfare it is the pilot who wins the game- Our pilots have done wonderful work since the war began, and they have been admirably supported by their French confreres. The Americans have not yet been long* at the work, hut they have already established a reputation. They are cool and resourceful, and they are to he found aloft in all weathers. The short reports sent out from American headquarters speak in clear terms of the splendid work that is being done. It is generally believed that when the weather becomes more settled a raid on a gigantic scale will be undertaken by the Allies. What fhe objective will he is of course unknown, but the Americans are very anxious to attack the German Fleet lying within the Iviel Canal. It lias also been suggested that fhe Allies should wait uytil the enemy’s grain crops are ripening and then fly across the territory of the Central Powers dropping incendiary bombs and firing the crops. If either of these raids proved at all successful, it 1 would he iu the shape of an irretrievable disaster to fhe enemy. ■g.MTTWTTiMii tmuuammuMaat