The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-07-04
TRANSATLANTIC AIR ROUTE
MAJOR GEN. BIsANCkER IN WASH
INGTON TO FIX PROGRAMME.
Airmen to Bomb AL of Germany.
Big Machines Able to Carry Tons
of Bombs Will Cross Atlantic.

Washington, June 21.-Establish-
ment of an air route to Europe from
the United States in order to bring
the full force of American effort in
the air to bear against Germany has
been decided upon as a definite pro-
ject by the British air council.
This was disclosed today by Major
Gen. William Brancker, controller of
equipment of the council, who is in
Washington to discuss this and other
projects relating to air warfare.
Plans for an initial fight across
the Atlantic in August, September or
October of this year already are we'll
advanced. American cooperation is
sought and Gen. Brancker hopes the
first machines to make the crossing
will carry both British and American
pilots. At least three British pilots
regarded as qualified for the trip are
now here and several types of ma
chimes produced in England have am
pie fuel capacity for the forty hour
of flying it is estimated the trip would
take.
TO Blaze Trail.
The attitude of the American Gov
ernment toward the project has not
been disclosed, although Gen. Branck-
er laid stress on the fact that the
sole purpose of the trip was to blaze
a new trail to Europe over which
aircraft can be delivered
next year without taxing shipping.
Presumably it arises from the fixed
purpose of the British air ministry
to carry the bombing warfare into
Germany on a steadily increasing
scale until not a vital spot in the
German Empire is safe from Allied
raiders.
After Gen. Brancker had made pub
lie his plans Secretary Baker said no
army aviation officers had yet been
assigned to work in conjunction with
the British on the subject.
Laid Before Officials. .
There is little doubt, however, that
the strong advocacy of the air road
to the front plan brought by Gen.
Brancker already has had consider
able effect. The general laid it be-
fore officers of the army general staff
today as an achievement that could
be realized in the immediate future.
Many officers believe it would be
wise to inject an element of friendly
rivalry into the effort to be the first
to make the flight They argue, since
the real value of the plan depends
upon the ability of American-buit
night bombers and American pilots to
cross the ocean, the initial effort
should be partially, at least, an Ameri-
can enterprise.
Reliable Engines.
The point made by Gen. Brancker
favoring the employment of British
for the venture is that the
new Rolla-Royce 375 horsepower en-
gines have proved valuable enough
practically to insure no difficulty from
this source. The American Liberty :.
motors, he said, are admittedly better
in performance than this Rolls-Royce,
being of lighter weight and giving
greater power, but they have not yet
reached the status of reliability Of
the Rolls-Royce.
Under any consideration, a sea-
plane carrying at least $50 horsepow-
er will be the first craft to attempt
the flight.
Route Proposed.
AS now projected, the trip would
start from New Foundland, touch at
the Azores and in Portugal and con-
clude in Ireland, probably to be re-
sumed after overhaul, to France.
The governing factors of the fight
were given by the British officer as
engine reliability, navigation and
forecasts. The probable loss
of machines en- route is minimized,
he believed, when the weather fore
cast had been fully worked out and
flights started only when it was es-
tablished that good weather would
prevail.
Weight Carrying.
The use of weight carrying ma
chins such as night bombers is essen
tial as the carrying capacity later to