The New York herald., 1921-08-20
ships BEST in WAR,
BOMB TEST FINDING
Airplaner Only Increases
Martial Complexity, Says
Joint Board.
DEVELOPMENT is VITAL
Flying Craft and Carriers
Necessary Adjuncts OF
Both Arms.
PERSHING SIGNS REPORT
Aviation Equipment Must Be
More Mobile for Longer
Ranges, Is Decision.
PERSHING SIGNS REPORT

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-Results OF
bombing tests off the Virginia Capes
from June 21 to July 81 have failed
to displace the battleship from its pre-
defence at sea.
This is the outstanding conclusion
of the joint board of the army and
navy. It's report was made public to-
day by Gen. Pershing, the senior
member, and approved by Secretary
Weeks and Acting Secretary Roose-
velt.
The tests, which resulted in tho
sinking of four ex-German warships
by aerial bombs, proved. however
that it has become imperative as 81
matter Of national defence to provide
for the maximum possible develop
ment of aviation in both the army and
navy"
The tests proved also. the board
agreed, the necessity for aircraft car
riers of maximum size and speed
as an effective adjunct of the feet," and
for the development Of effective anti
aircraft armament"
Instead OF furnishing an economical
instrument of war leading to the aboli-
tion of the battleship. the development
OF aircraft nas added to the complexity
OF naval warfare" the report said.
The tests, which were conducted by
the navy with the cooperation of the
Army Air Service. were reported upon
separately by army and naval boards
Of observers. These reports formed the
basis of the issued statement.
The joint board included Admiral r.
E. Coontz, chief of Naval Operations:
Major-Gen. w. G. Haan, assistant to the
Chief of Staff: Rear Admiral c. S.
williams, Naval Operations Brig Gen.
Henry Jervey, General STAFF. and Capt.
w. c.. Cole. Naval Operations.
The board found that military air
craft when used beyond the radius of
action OF shore bases possessed Tim
tied assistance to gunnery in the con-
troll of fire. limited assistance in the
service of information and security, and
important strategical and tactical quail
tiles in operations of coast Defence" but
might prove a decisive factor In coastal
operations If used In adequate numbers.
IF heavier than air craft are to be
effective in naval warfare the report
said, they must have great mobility,
and since their radius Of action Is not
great. additional mobility must be OBJ
tanned by providing mobile basis. l. e..
aircraft carriers.
$50 far as known no planes large
enough TO carry a bomb effective against
q major ship have been flown from or
landed on an airplane carrier at sea. 1t
is probable. however, that future devel-
opments will make such operations prac-
ticable."
in the present state of anti-aircraft
defence" the report continued. 'it is be-
lieved that. If an air force can obtain
the mastery of the air. an effective per-
centage of hits can be obtained against
surface vessels coming within the radius
OF action of bombing planes without an
undue percentage of loss of aircraft.
"Anti-aircraft armament is In an early
stage of development. The history of
war indicates that means of defence de-
velops rapidly to meet the development
of offensive weapons. The effectiveness
OF the bomb carried by aircraft empha-
sizes the necessity for the rapid devei-
opment of anti-aircraft armament and
for the provision OF pursuit planes as
a part OF the fleet.
Aircraft carrying high capacity high
explosive bombs of sufficient size have
adequate offensive power to sink or
seriously damage any naval vessel at
present constructed, provided such pro-
jectiles can be placed in the water close
alongside the vessel. Furthermore, 1t
will be difficult. II not impossible, TO
build any type of vessel OF sufficient
strength to Withstand the destructive
force that can be obtained with the
largest bombs that airplanes may be
able to carry from shore bases or shell
tered harbors."