New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-14
AEROPLANES PROVE
THEIR WAR VALUE
BcCkwith Ravens, Ameri.
can Aviator. Shows
How This Is SO.
CASUALTIES FEWER
THAN ON THE LAND
Success Shown by Present
Activity of All Makers
of Planes.

London, Dec. 3.-Aviators and those
connected with aviation seem greatly
pleased with the recognition accorded
the aerial branch of the military ser
vice in tho report Of Sir John French:
The work performed by the Royal
Flying Corps has continued 20 prove OF
the utmost value 90 the success OF the
operations Almost every day
new methods for employing them, both
strategicslly and tactically. are discoy-
cred and put into practice. The de-
velopment Of their use and employ
ment has indeed been quite eNtraordi-
nary. and / feel sure that no effort
should be spared 20 increase their num-
bers and perfect their equipment and
efficiency"
This, coming in the face OF occa-
sional assertions that aircraft have
disappointed their supporters, restores
the belief that the flying machine
would prove one Of the most vital fac
tors in the conflict
BecHwth Hayens, the American flyer,
az present in London, speaking OF the
matter recently. said:
"Sir John Franch's report on the
work Of the Royal Flying Corps will be
nected with the aviation movement.
Just because II has not seemed de-
sirsble 20 publish detailed reports Of
this work many people in America, ~
well as here. have drawn the idea that
the aeroplanes were accomplishing
nothing worthy OF record. ! was cured
of that idea the day J arrived here by
a friend Just back from the front. lie
had been wounded and was just out Of
the hospital As he knew something
OF aviation, my first general question
was regarding the work OF the aero
planes.
"'lt's simply marvellous, he said.
Almost unbelievable. You're safe and
snug, you think, IN your trench, with
the enemy dropping their shells miles
away. OF a sudden the whir of an
aeroplanc motor attracts your atten-
ton, and far overhead YOU see black
spock moving among the clouds. An
almost iniiuitesimal signal rs dropped
perhaps string Of stars attached to
tiny parachute signal 10 a bat
terry miles away and indicating TO II
the presence below the aeroplane of
trenches, Of troops, of q battery. In
another minute or two shells are drop
ping into your trench. and all hopes
"The reliability Of the aeroplane.'
continues Mr.. Hayens, "has been ques-
toned By many unfamiliar with modern
developments. and It's usefulness for
aggressive purposes has been doubted
by many Of its ardent supporters.
Both these ideas have been put to rout
by the events OF the last few weeks
No great attention has been paid by
the press to the raids on Cologne. Dus-
seldorf and Friedrichshafen, but they
have been very significant TO the cog
noscenti. In each case very long
fights over strange country have been
made by small squadrons Of machines;
in each case material damage that
could have been accomplished in no
other way has been done; in no case |
have heard Of have any OF the ma
chimes failed the pilots. The Friedrichs-
hefen affair took three machines near
~ 300 miles over strange and mostly
wild country. forests and mountain
ranges. They we're under fire for
hours. flying eighty miles an hour
with the thermometer near zero, Fab
renheit Despite these handicaps all
three machines safely reached their
destination. where in the face OF the
fire Of hiCh-angle guns they swOoped
low enough 70 make sure OF dropping
their bombs into the Zeppelin factory,
and two Of the three machines safely
found their way back to their own
lines. One pilot was wounded AMI
forced TO descend.
80 far as mere scout duty is con
cerned ! think the fact that in spite
Of a battle line hundreds Of miles long
and millions of men for the work. there
has not been a single great coup re-
corded. That big surprises are UNI
heard OF speaks for itself.
These months of work have only
begun 10 teach military men the pos
sibilitics OF the aeroplane. II the war
continues until next spring ] look TO
sec immense profit made Of present eX-
periences. and things attempted and
accomplished that will establish the
status OF the aerial vehicle for all
time.
zone thing not expected by any Of
us has proved the case, and that is the
pilot officer is safer from personal
harm than the officer Of any other
branch Of the service The percentage
Of killed and wounded among the Off
GERS Of the flying corps, despite their
almost continuous service since the be-
ginning Of the war. is said 10 be lower
than that Of any other branch. II any
one doubts the appreciation accorded
the aeroplane by the armies and nayies
involved in this war. the fact that
every aeroplane and motor factory OF
anv standing throughout the world is
working full force day and Night should
,...--tt,a hi m "