ANTI-AIRCRAFT DEFENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16025, 17 September 1915, Page 7

ANTI-AIRCRAFT DEFENCES.

LONDON WELL WATCHED.

SIR PERCY SCOTT'S TASK.

London, September 15.

Replying in the House of Commons to questions, Mr. A. J. Balfour, First Lord of the Admiralty, said that the naval air service was now an immense force, and the number of fliers was very great. The defence of London was in process of development, and with the assistance of Admiral Sir Percy Scott he hoped that it would be completed in reasonable time. He was unable to promise immunity from attack, but everything was beimx dorm to diminish the dangers.

GERMAN SOPHISTRY.

WHITEWASHING A CRIME.

Times and Sydney Sun Services.

London, September 15.

A German, who seeks to justify the Zeppelin attack on London, writes in the Lokal Anzeiger: "The only reason why English airships have not destroyed the Royal Castle at Berlin and killed thousands of peaceful citizens in disregard of international laws is that it is impossible to reach the capital."

The Vossische Zeitung, in an imaginative account of the Zeppelin laid, comments on the failure of preventive gunnery. The paper says it must be extraordinarily difficult to hit airships at night, but even when seriously injured by gunfire Zeppelins are able to cover long distances.

now lacked the element of. surprise, and failed in their object. Thev had lost most of their offensive value owing to the steps of the allies to counteract the effect of these pernicious methodsConsiderable reinforcements of the new armies had joined Sir John French who reported that the units appeared to be thoroughly well officered and commanded, while their equipment was good. Several of the units of artillery had been tested behind the firing line. Their shooting was extremely good, and they were quite fit to take their place m the line. These reinforcements, amounting to 11 divisions, had enabled Sir John French to make the extension in his line Throughout the summer the French fully held their own along then- extended front., and substantial progress was made at some places, notably Arras and Alsace. They had secured an area of great tactical importance, in view of future operations, in the heights of Notre Dame de Lorette. One particularly commanding summit, overlooking the left bank of the Rhine, was held in the face of formidable counter-attacks. The French trenches along the entire front were now a network of almost impregnable fortifications. When he visited the army, at General Joffre's invitation, he was profoundly impressed by the high state of efficiency and morale exhibited. It was evident that the officers and men recognised that the only possible termination of the war was to inflict on the enemy thorough defeat. The French aircraft had been particularly active, and had carried out numerous effective raids on a large scale. OBJECTIVES OF THE GERMANS IN THE EAST.

The eastern theatre was next the subject of Earl Kitchener's speech. He said that since June the Germans, taking advantage of their central position, had employed a very large proportion of their forces in strenuous efforts to crush Russia. Great numerical superiority and vastly-preponderating artillery enabled them to force the Russians from their defences. The German objective was to destroy the army as a force in being, and thus free a large number of men for action elsewhere. The plan had been a signal failure, like the other plans arranged by the German staff.

" Few episodes," said Earl Kitchener, "stand out more prominmently and creditably than the masterly manner in which the Russians were distributed along a front of 750 miles, and were handled while facing the violent assaults of a greatly-superior enemy. The success of the great rearguard action was possible owing to the really splendid fighting qualities of the Russian soldier, who, in every case were in actual contact, has shown himself infinitely superior to his adversary '• The Russian Army to-day is intact. It has doubtless suffered severely from the hard fighting, but the Germans have also paid a heavy toll. Who will venture to say, until the present grip is relaxed, which army has suffered more ? Russia, with her vast territory, has always been able to ultimately envelop and annihilate the largest, invading armies. The Germans, at enormous sacrifice, have captured certain fortresses, but experience shows that the onlv fortifications capable of effectively resisting the new machinery of "war are those which can quickly be dug deep in the soil.

" The Germans appear to have almost shot their bolt. Their advance at one time was carried out on an average of five miles daily, but it is now less than a mile. The forces which the Germans boastingly describe as broken troops are still doggedly fighting along the whole line, and at some places turning and inflicting heavy losses. Thus German strategy has clearly failed, and the victories thev claim may only prove defeats in disguise."

BRILLIANCE OF THE ITALIAN OPERATIONS.

Earl Kitchener also had a word of praise for the Italians, who, he said, by a series of rapid and brilliant infantry operations, had obtained control of all the principal passes in tie Carnic Alps and on the Trentino frontier- The occupation of Monte Nero was a most brilliant achievement. The feats of the Italian artillery were truly remarkable, and the manner in which the heavy pieces were : hauled into almost inaccessible positions on lofty mountain peaks evoked universal admiration.

Detailing the operations in Mesopotamia, Earl Kitchener said the climatic conditions rendered the operations extremely arduous. The heat was intense, and the country consisted of almost impassable swamps and marshes. The highly-successful issue of the expedition was due to the consummate gallantry and dogged determination of the force.

Genera] Botha's capture on July 9 of the German force in Southwest Africa was a fitting conclusion to a brief but brilliant campaign. British patrols in East Africa had shown considerable" enterprise in carrying out reconnaissances all along the frontier, and various successful encounters had been reported -