WAR IN THE AIR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17096, 19 February 1916, Page 9

WAR IN THE AIR.

USE OF AEROPLANES. FIGHTING LINES COME FIRST. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. By Tele^r&pk—Prcß* Aisociation—Copyright LONDON. February 17. The “Daily Telegraph” and the “Daily Chronicle” declare that the needs of tho fighting services in the matter of aeroplanes must come first, and deprecate civilian clamour which is weakening the military effort. The “Daily Mail,” while doubting that all sources of supply are being properly utilised, says:—-“If civilian claims mean the withdrawal of machines and aircraft guns from the front, then civilians must go undcfeaided.”

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN.

LORD KITCHENER SPEAKS. PUBLIC DEBATE DANGEROUS. (Received February 18, 5.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. In the House of Lords several questions were asked as to Britain s preparedness in air defence. Lord Kitchener stated that one Zeppelin was lost at sea in the last raid, and it was believed that a second was out of action. A public debate was fraught with the risk of giving information to the enemy. This hanmpercd any detailed reply to the questions, which were tho natural outcome of the dastardly Gorman outrages on helpless women and children. Up to the present the raids had had no influence whatever on the military situation. Three principles governed Britain's air defence,:—First, good information of tho arrival and movements of the hostile aircraft; second, defence by artil-, lory from land : third, attacks by aeroplanes moving faster than the Zeppelins. Tho construction of anti-aircraft guns had now a priority over other ordnance. The chase of Zeppelins by might he attended with great difficulties. No order was ever sent to air pilots to make, such ascents at night, but notice was sent to stations when it was considered possible to intercept Zeppelins.

INSURED AGAINST RAIDS.

• OYER A MILLION PEOPLE COVERED. (Received February 18, 5.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. Replying to a question with reference to tho Government scheme for insurance against air raids. Lord Newton said that oveyr a million persons had been insured, of whom 650.000 had acted through the Post Office. The sum for which they were assured amounted to £3,800,000.

FOKKER’S AEROPLANES,

FAULTY DESIGN REFUSED BY WAR. OFFICE. (Received February 18, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. Mr Tennant, replying to :i question, said that Fokker offered his aeroplanes to the War Office in 1913, but they were not accepted, because they were inefficient and dangerous. Fokker since the war had produced two designs which he had nor offered to Britain, but had been purchased by Germany.

THE RAID ON PARIS.

WHY ZEPPELINS SUCCEED. USE COLD LIGHT RAYS IX SEARCHLIGHTS. PARIS, February 17. A sensation has been caused by the announcement that tho success of the recent, air raids was due to tho Zeppelin searchlights. Tho raiders were using Dussaud’s cold light rays, which were so blinding that they pierced the mist like the sun, whereas the French searchlights were lost in the mist. Dussaud’s invention uses the whole electric current for illumination instead of losing SO per cent from heat.

Dussand in 1911 offered tho invention to the Freneh Government, but was a victim to officialdom and sold the patent to Germany.

ZEPPELIN WRECKED.

CREW INTERNED IN HOLLAND. AMSTERDAM, February 17. A storm in Belgium carried a Zeppelin adrift. The airship landed at 1 onto and was wrecked. Tho crew were interned.