The New York herald., 1921-09-24
GAS SM0THERS ship
IN AERIAL ATTACK
Sensational and Astonishing
Results, Expert Says, in the
Bombing Of Alabama.
MITCHELL IN COMMAND
Observers Say Air Control De-
termining Factor in the
Next War.
MITCHELL IN COMMAND
ny WILLIAM r. TULLAM,
Rear Admirnl. U. s. N. (Retired).
Formerly Commandant of the
Annapolis Naval Academy.

Rear Admiral. U. s. N. {Retfred)
Formerly Commandment of the
Annapolis Naval Academy.
Special Despatch 10 THE -~s:w York HERALD
LANGLEY FIELD. Va. Sept. 22.--The
tests with chemical bombs by the First
Provisional Air Brigade from Langie,
Field under the command Of Brig,
Gen. William Mitchell with the oIt
battleship Alabama as target begar
to-day with an attack by two Martin
bombers dropping twelve 50-pount
smoke bombs to windward of the ship
anchored in Tangier Sound.
This experiment was to demonstrate
the ability OF airplanes to establish q
smoke screen around a ship or feet a,
anchor, behind which bombing and
torpedo planes can launch an attack
with little danger from the fire Of anti
aircraft guns.
This method of attack already has
been successfully used In the British
navy to prove that men of war. though
q
closed harbor. may be menaced by the
air forces OF an enemy attacking over
the land.
The second phase was the dropping OF
eight twenty-five pound phosphorus
bombs by two OH fours. One OF these
bombs struck the Alabama on the port
side forward and exploded. A dense
cloud of white smoke enveloped the shir
and particles of phosphorus burned
around the decks for several minutes
Although 1t Is possible that strons
! stream from a fire hose would wash
phosphorus of q ships deck, there would
be many points where water could not be
applied, and II cannot be denied that the
fire and smoke from such bombs would
seriously interfere with the work of the
anti-air craft battery.
The third phase was the dropping OF
several twenty-five pound bombs Of tear
gas. There were three hits on deck. and
notwithstanding that the gas used in
this case was OF the weakest variety the
members of the inspection board were
compelled to put on gas masks as soon
as they reached the deck. Those who
afterward ventured to remove their
masks put them on again very promptly.
This experiment sufflced to prove that
the whole crew OF ship will be forced
to protect itself by gas masks.
The fourth phase was an attack by
two Martin bombers dropping eight 100
pound phosphorus bombs. This 1ttacl,
furnished one II the most sational
and astonishing events IN connection
with modern naval warfare. The frs,
salvo of four bombs all struck the ship
One landed In the main top. where II
exploded violently, starting fierce fire
which unqucstionably would have killed
every man stationed there In the fire
control part OF tho ships battery. The
platform was no heated as TO blister the
paint on the underside of the floor plates.
The other three bombs struck at differ
en-, points around the deck and purs,
into flames. Particles OF burning phos-
phorus were spattered over the turrets
and bulkheads and the whole ship was
obscured BY dense cloud OF white
smoke which hung over tho water and
towered high above the masts. Bits OF
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