FRANCE'S NEW AERIAL FLEETS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12727, 22 December 1915, Page 6

FRANCE'S NEW AERIAL FLEETS.

NEW YORK, October 11. A dis|Mteh from Paris to the Associated Press recounts a visit paid by a party of American and British journalists to the great tenties of aircraft- organisation in France. The monster Kittleplane was the chief centre o! attention. It was explained that this was the first actual realisation of the battleplane, as other reported aerial Dreadnoughts had not proved practical. But this manster actually flew carrying a crew of twelve men with two cannon on the wings, throwing 3-inch steel projectiles Three trial flights had been made showing that the machine possessed the steadiness of an ordinary biplane, and the huge craft is now ready for the battle-line where the regular crew during fighting will he four men commanded by an officer. The battle cruisers are small biplanes ■•f high power, capable of rising almost vertically from the ground at a speed of ninety miles an hour. Many of these cruisers are now ready. Several of them recently executed a night bombardment at t'ne back of the enemy lines, and during the Champagne engagement one of the cruisers hit two German balloons, which exploded in a mass of flames. Tiie battleplanes and cruisers will soon begin movements in iarge squadrons, both defensive and offensive, attacking the enemy's lines of communication and railway "junctions, shutting off supplies, and demoralising the morale in the enemy's rear.

Each squadron consists of nine aeroplanes of all types, including one battleplane, two battle-cruisers, and sick scoutplanes, with a complement of upwards of fifty otKcers and men both for flight and transportation by lorries and trailers wherewith each squadron is equipped.—Reuter.