AVIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12776, 21 October 1919, Page 8

AVIATION.

NEWS AND NOTES, Admiral Jellicoe, in his work on the Grand Fleet, tells us that for gathering information about the strength and X>osition of the enemy one dirigible is equal lo two cruisers. Which, translated into dollars, means that for 1,000,000 expended on air scouting you get five times the value of 1,000,000 dollars spent on soa scouting. Nor docs the value of an adequate air service cease with the matter of scouting. Of equal, if not greater value, will be the use of fast airplanes in the matter of fire-control. In these days of longrange gunfire, the enemy will frequently he hull-down to the men in the turret. No longer will tho fall of the shells be determined solely bv a spotter at the tup of the mast. It will be observed by airplanes, dispatched from the tiring ship; and these, from a position above the enemy, will send in the corrections with an accurnry never dreamed of in tho pre-war days.— Scientific American.”

The one European nation apparently that is taking civil aviation with real earnestness is Germany, writes Ariel ” in the British journal :t Flying.” Last month I saw at Brussels various members of tho Reparation Commissions that are now exploring Germany in search of stolen French, and Belgian machinery. They all told the same talc—that Germany had completely turned her aircraft from war to peace and was from an air traffic point of view far in advance of tho rest of Europe. Under tho terms of the armistice Germany had to surrender a great deal of aircraft, and she is forbidden for ever to maintain war aeroplanes or war airships and for six months to manufacture any aircraft at all. But this seemingly has only stimulated her to a keener activity in peace development of aircraft. It would be a curious after-the-war position if tho world had to stand by and seo Germany recover more than her old weight in Europe by way of tho air! But to avoid tiiat there is one good way—that of a superior effort on our part. Wo have infinitely greater resources if only we use them with wis-’ dom and courage.

Both A.lcock and Brown, the heroes of the Atlantic flight, have had experience as prisoners of war. A friend of Alccok’s who was in the same camp with him writes: “ There is no place where the good and had points of a man’s character showed more plainly than in a concentration camp for ‘ prisoners of war.’ I was with John Alcock in 'lurkey for six months, and when J. tell you that ho was known as ‘ Honest Jo!m J it ought to convey a great deal. If any job of work had to bo done, John was always on the spot. tie helped build the stage for our ‘ revues/ the sun shelter and bandstand, made of reed mats, and the open-air bathroom. He was caterer and mess secretary for the largest mess, of twenty-four officers (the whole camp erf a hundred odd officers being divided into mosses varying in size). This ‘ office ’ he held for three months, and when ho resigned the standard of food went down with a bump, and finally the mess went to pieces, and we formed a small meas with only seven, in it, with 1 Honest John ’ back in his old post as caterer. With his careful management we were able to keep our health and strength. His triumph came when ho arranged and catered tor the dinner given to celebrate the inauguration of the Royal Air Force. Fifteen R.F.O. and R.N-A.S. and fifteen guests- 1 remember old John sitting on his bed beating: up the white of eggs to make meringues. And what a night that was! In between meals, John played a. good game of hockey at fullback, and never missed a game of baseball.”

The inquiry winch hag bc?Vi commenced in England into the dismissal from the Women’s Royal Air Force or tho Hon Violet Douglas-Pennant was only granted after a long-sustained agitation. In tier statement published m several daily newspapers. Miss DouglnsPonnant says she was ashed iu May, 1918, to take over tho post of Commandant of the W.R.A.F., and actually assumed command in tho following month. Her difficulties began early, for sho says; “Immediately I started on my duties as commandant I waa brought up against a particular officer, who told me he had promised five ladies high posts, and asked me to recommend them to tho Air Ministry tor those positions. I had nothing whatever personally, against these ladies, hut I could not honestly recommend them for those important duties- 1 pointed out the difficulties, and suggested that I should put them in positions where they would receive uie training necessary for the work. Lord AV eir and Sir Godfrey Paino agreed with my views, and tho ladies -were told that they were either to take the Jurnot posts or tho Air Ministry would not require their services.” These five ladies, however, refused to take tho junior posts, and Miss Douglas-Pennant states that from that time she became the subject of tjic moat bitter attacks. Shortly afterwards she tendered her resignation, which was declined, but some four or five days later she was, so she states, summarily dismissed on tho ground that she was unpopular.

HLs Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to signify his pleasure that an Air Force medal be granted to record the bringing of the war to aj successful conclusion, and the arduous services rendered by his Majesty’s forces. The medal, in silver, will, provided tho claims are approved by the competent Royal Air Force authorities, bo granted to the undermentioned classes who either entered a theatre of war on duty, or who left their places of residence and rendered approved service overseas, other than the waters dividing tho different parts of the United Kingdom, between August 5 1914, and November 11, 1918, both dates inclusive:—

(a) Officers, warrant officers, attested and enrolled non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Flying Corps or Royal Air Service. (b) Members of women formations employed under a direct contract of service with the Royal Air For™ Medical Service. (c) All who served on staffs of Royal Air Force hospitals and all members* of recognised organisations who actually handled sick and wounded. (d) Members of duly recognised or authorised organisations. The medal will also be granted to all officers, warrant officers, attested and enrolled non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Naval Air Service Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force who:—

(i) Have been actively engaged in the air against tho enemy whilst borne on the strength of an operational unit in Great Britain.

. (>i) Have been employed in flying neV aircraft to France.

(iii) Have formed part of the complement of an aircraft carrying ship The medal in bronze,' will be granted to all British subjects who were enrolled as followers or members of Native Labour Corps units and who served in theatres of war. The riband will be centre o/ange, watered, with stripes of white and black on each side and with borders of royal blue.