The New York herald., 1921-07-15
AIR DEFENCE OF us.
GETS KEEN IMPETUS
Congress Observers of Sea
Bomb Tests Pledge Their
Support.
SUPREMACY is AIM
Are Convinced Aerial Com
bat Will Determine
Future War.
Sc PLANES IN REVIEW
Men Who Sunk German De-
stroyer Are Seen in Air
EvolutiOns.
Sc PLANES IN REVIEW

Special Despatch to THE NEw YORK HERALD
LANGLEY FIELD. Va, July 14.-Air-
craft development on a much broader
scale as a policy for the national de-
fence took decided step forward to-
day with the visit to this post Of a
large party from the marine trans
port Henderson carrying Congressional
and other observers during the bomb
ing tests now being conducted jointly
by the Army and the Navy off the
Virginia Capes.
Upward of 125. representing virtually
all the leaders in the determination Of
programme of American preparedness.
passed the day at Langley Field re-
viewing the array Of airplanes and
dirigibles, which had come back to
base after sinking the one time Ger
man destroyer G-102, pledging their
belief that aerial combat will deter
mine any future war and intending 10
advance programme that would give
the United States complete air su-
premacy IN the future.
Meantime Brig. Gen. William Mitchell,
assistant chief of the army air service,
who has been in charge Of the bombing
tests for the army, travelled to Wash
ington by airplane to fight for more
funds for air craft operations. Hs and
officers associated with him were quick
to capitalize the spectacular demonstra-
ton staged yesterday sixty miles at sea
when a bombardment wing Of airplanes
sanlS ths warship in twenty minutes
with 300 pound bombs.
All the pilots and bombardiers who
participated in the sinking OF the de-
stroyer were on the lins to-day when
the party arrived from the Henderson.
although three of the airplanes out Of
the fifty that were in the operations
were undergoing repairs. Three of the
airplanes were compelled to make
forced landings on the way back from
the scene of the sinking. but those
aboard escaped.
Thrilling Experience.
Lieut.. Fonda B. Johnson. plotting a
Thomas Morse single scatter. one of the
newly developed types. had thrilling
experience. He ran out of gasolene. but
managed to get to the shore of Chesa-
peake Bay. where a wave sent him into
the water again. Within few minutes
Martin bomber arrived with one OF
the motors cut out but abba to get to
the beach. Lieut.. Johnson swan to tho
Martin, took off part Of the gasolene,
refilled his tank and with help got back
~ rh> r. Wi
two hours later. after causing much
worry.
officers at the field said the total dis
tance from base to the scene of the sink
Ing was ninety-seven miles. At this rate
all of the airplanes had to fly, counting
the time required for the bombing, a
total of not less than 800 miles over the
water. The Martin bombers, with a gas
olene capacity of four and a half hours
with bombs. were in the air three hours
and forty minutes. That there were no
accidents in view of so severe a test is
held by aviation authorities as nothing
short OF remarkable.
Never before have army airplanes been
required to attempt a performance of
this character. In time of war, officers
of the service declared, there would be
no hesitancy about going out an even
greater distance up to the limit OF the
gasolene capacity to get TO position and
return, Present development permits
the flying Of land airplanes to a distance
of $50 miles at sea, but gasolene carry
ing will hE-e to be increased IL greater
Instance is to be covered AS 1t was,
some OF the machines got to the field
with less than gallon in the tanks.
enough for only twelve miles of flight.
one day lapse between the tests at
sea permitted the party from the Hem
derson to anchor In Hampton Roads and
visit Langley Field. The members Of
the Senate and House Military and
Naval Affairs Committee. together with
some of the highest ranking officers Of
the army and navy. went ashore for the
review of the aerial forces. constituting
the largest concentration of air craft
ever attempted in the United States.
Fifty-six Planes In Review.
While there are 103 airplanes of all
typ's and sizes ut the post, only flfty-six
participated In the review, but 1t was
enough to stimulate the imagination OF
what such an array would be able to do
against an enemy when loaded with
bombs.
These airplanes were in formation.
hrst, on the ground for an inspection by
the party. led by Major 7. ]. Milling,
acting commandant at the field. The
rilots stood at attention in front OF their
airplanes. single seaters. two seatcrs and
several types of large bombers. most
notable of which were he Martins and
Handley- Pages, until the order came to
take of.
In flights of three and FIVE these cir
planes. their motors warmed up. went
into the air for review. circling and re-
circling tbs field. coming low to the
ground as they passed the Congressional
delegation Many OF the members of tho
Senate and House never had seen such
a battle array before. They were almost
unanimous in their belief that aircraft