New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-30
Invasion by Airplanes
The Impossibility of Securing a
Decision m Such a Way

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: | see that it is proposed 10 vote SIX
hundred million dollars to build a feet of
aeroplanes for the invasion Of Germany, and
much has been said and written Of the con-
quest of that country in this way. am
not an expert on aeroplsne construction, but
have lived on the English coast since the
beginning Of hostlities until few months
ago and have had many friends among the
aviators and young officers, who in the long
summer evenings OF last year often flew 10
France and back within the hour. | have
learnt things from them which the general
public do not seem to understand.
For instance, do not suppose it is general
ly known that no aeroplanes have been con-
structed in this country which would be
of any value for fighting purposes on the
Western 'front.' although they might be OF
use in the Orient, where there are no big
anti-arcraft guns in any number.
| suppose that the method of construction,
if the undertaking is begun, will be, OF
course, under the supervision OF those con-
structors who have had thorough knowl-
edge of the requirements since the begin
ming of the war. One type of British aero
plane generally used in the beginning of the
war was death trap for those who began
learning to fly in them, let alone their practi-
cal use elsewhere; the Sopwith was not gen.
orally adopted for months. The French had
many hastily designed machines at first
which cost many lives. The German was
then the superior craft as far as construction
was concerned the British are now TO the
fore. and to be successful we should closely
follow their lead.
With regard to the generally confident ex-
pectation that an aerial invasion would cause
the conquest of Germany, it is not worth
while considering the absurdity OF 1t, but
il may said that no fleet of aeroplanes
could invade that country for any distance
without meeting with disaster; the invasions
of England from short distance, such as
from Belgium Gin German possession, have
never done any military damage, while the
deaths caused are pure chance owing TO the
densely populated suburbs; these raids
were practicable, if not successful, l. e. pro-
ductive of any military result. Such would
not be the cases with the Allies, whose bases
are at great distances But even admitting,
could be accomplished and number of
bombs dropped OIL, say, Cologne and Frank
fort-Berln is too far and out Of the ques-
tion-how could damaging any one of these
cities bring the German military power TO
its knees? If any headquarters were reached
the seat of government would be quickly
transferred elsewhere.
Any such raid in numbers would result
in the loss of the greater part OF the ma
chimes, if not all of them; they would be met
by enemy squadrons which would certainly
pet many of them over long course. not
taking into consideration the antl-alrcraft
guns.
In conclusion, let the enthusiasts ask them
selves why the city of Paris, the seat of the
French government and the heart OF France,
containing priceless treasures and the most
! .gnifcent buildings and monuments of any
modern city in the worlds why, within fifty
minutes flight Of the consolidated German
lines, it has not been attacked without I'M
m ediatc disaster to the raiders and with 10
serious consequences; in fact, these raids
are no longer attempted This would be the
kest possible illustration of how France
could be conquered by an invasion of aero
planes. Apply the same idea to an invasion
of the Prussian capital from base ten
hours away and the absurdty OF it will be
seen.
The exigencies Of the front might require
six hundred million dollars worth of aero
planes, but bringing Germany TO terms by
such means is an impossibility apparent TO
any one having an elementary knowledge OF
the CAPABILITIES of aeroplanes F. T.
Lenox, Mass, June 25, 1877.