The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

| DcTilhs SeptemOer lzs-tCOrreSpOnd- ence of the Associated ss.)-Ger- man aeroplanes accomplished great
 work in plotting the onrushing armies through Belgium into France, French md English reports to the contrary. This is the contention of Corporal Fritz Werner of the German aero he who flew over Paris. dropping
 bombs and bulletins of German vic- tories, and escaped after thrilling
 battle in midair with n British and a Preach bird-man. 5sf
 I Fritz Werner. society favorite and crack tennis player at the exclusive Bad Hom-
 burg tournaments, was one of the nota- bles of the fashionable spas who disap- pcared when the order for mobilization l was issued and who has returned to Ser l lin-not in his old role Of polished gentle
 man of leisure, but to replace the flying
 machine he used so successfully in the | invasion of France.
 ] Werners criticism of German and
 French aeroplanes are interesting from
 the point of view of an actual expert. He has been using a Taube monoplane.
 a type which, he complained Is under
 sized. rises too slowly and hasn't suf-
 ficient carrying power. They cannot get
 off the ground with less than 15O yards
 run, cannot shoot up in the air quickly
 to avoid hostile fire when scouting or
 to get above lighter, faster French
 aeroplane in a. conflict in the air, and with aviator and observer on board, can
 carry only two or three of the five
 pound nitroglycerine bombs. Werner pro
 poses to secure a biplane, machine he
 thinks best adapted for war purposes. French Machines Too Light
 l The French machines, Werner declared.
 are too lightly built for war purposes,
 smash too easily. and. If left out in the
 rain, lacking a hangar. become useless. | This accounted, he thought. for the
 failure of the French aeropIane corps to
 accomplish what had been expected of 1t. | It was in describing his flight mid-air over Paris that the aviator brought out | the fact that both the English and French | flying machines can soar above the Ger | man type. It was because neither of his foes carried bombs that Werner ascribed his escape after the occupants
 of the three machines had cxha usted their
 ammunition in pistol battle.
 Werner made light of the reported uni | form victories of the allies aero corps | over the German airman. Casualties among the air scouts, he said had been | remarkably light considering the risks. Little danger was experienced from hos tile firing. One of his comrades, in the
 habit of going out without observer. in order to carry more bombs. failed to return. Later 1t was learned that his
 motor had stopped while he was within
 the Belgian lines. In attempting to smash his aeroplane on landing, as instructed by regulations, he was thrown out and both of his thighs were broken. but he escaped with his life.
 Corporal Werner's estimate of the fight ing qualities of the allfes' tallies with that of officers of the general staff who
 have returned from the front. Except at first" said the aviator. especially at Liege, the Belgians ran away almost without fighting. The practice of the French artillery Is excellent. But the British were the best soldiers we met. Before their morale became shaken by repeated defeats and heavy losses they stuck to their trenches doggedy. Our neavy artillery and the way our men kept coming regardless of losses finally
 got them and they ran, too
 Great at Minor Tactics
 He said he heard the British also were great at mlnor tactics. such as laying traps for advance guards III villages and marrying outposts, but that their feats in this, line were absolutely without ef- feet in altering the final outcome.
 According to Werner. the four factors largely responsible for the Germans sue cesses in the first months operations were the heavy field artillery. the travelling field kitchens, the soldiers sturdy legs and the aviation corps. The inclusion of his own branch of the service. boastful though it may seem, Is confirmed by the opinion of other officers. They agree with him as to the av.ator's great service in locating hostile forces, establishing their strength. following the movement of hostile columns and marking the positions of the enemy's artillery with such pre- cision that the German fire could be di- rected upon them without wasting a shot.
 The sturdy legs of the infantrymen have made possible the fianking move ments which, officers say. have aver aged 25 miles and more day. The trav- hA