ZEPPELIN LOSSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16157, 19 February 1916, Page 6

ZEPPELIN LOSSES.

The large number of Zeppelins already lost in the wai by the enemy must have caused great disappointment in German military circles. During the present month four of these powerful aircraft have been wrecked, bringing the total number destroyed since August, 1914, to approximately 26. In addition the German air fleet has been reduced by eight airships of other types. Immediately prior to the commencement of the war it was estimated that Germany had eight Zeppelins with another in course of construction, three Schutte-Lanz airships, and four Parsevals. Private persons owned four Zeppelins and two Parsevals. Taken in conjunction with the losses to date these figures show clearly that the output of Zeppelins must have been greatly increased since the war began. The continuance of air raids upon unfortified towns in England indicates that the enemy is still in possession of a large number of dirigibles, the majority of which have been constructed during the' past 18 months. The fact that aeroplanes have not proved so effective in defence against tne Zeppelin as was anticipated has drawn the attention of the British authorities to the need for the further improvement of the air service. It is now possible that Britain and her Allies may give more attention to the construction of airships. Whatever the decision of experts may be, however, it is evident from the steadily increasing number of Zeppelins which have been lost by the enemy that this particular branch of the service is proving a very costly undertaking, while the results achieved by the raiders, up to the present time, cannot in the slightest degree affect the naval or military situation.