The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-10
AERO SUPREMACY
DEPENDS ON new
BOMBING SIGHTS
Science of Dropping ProjectiIes
Shows Loopholes BY
Iowa Test.
ny JOSEPH 5. EpGERroN.

I
Future success-of aviation as an
offensive arm of navies depends en-
tfrely upon the refinement OF bomb
ing sights and bombing methods
As scouting and observation
weapon IT is now soreiy needed a.
an integral part of our naval force-
The science of aerial bombing II
stfll In crude state and a long
period of intensive experimentation
and invention must come before the
bombing plane can be loked upon an
dependable offensive weapon
under all conditions.
The urgent need for Immediate
Improvement of bombing equipment
and procedure was empnatically
shown during the course Of at
tacks by bombers on the radio
controlled ex-battIeship Iowa sixty
miles off the middle Atlantic coast
This test was the second OF a series
Of five which began with the sink
ing. by bombing, OF an ex-German
destroyer. the destruction by gun
fre Of three sister ships, and the
bombing of two ex-German capital
ships. the cruiser Frankfort and
the dreadnaught Ostfriesland.
AEROs SCORED TRIUMPH
In the test the aviation force
scored its great triumph In scout
ing and concentration Of an ade-
quate bombing force. But in the
bombing operations II was weak.
or eighty dummy bombs dropped
during the course of the attack. but
two found the mark. though a fair
percentage fell within close range.
Both Of the direct hits were made .
on the forecasue, one by a 500
pound dummy bomb. Damage to the .
ship was said by the board Of OBJ
servers to have been negligible.
Both of the bombs, filled with
concrete. collapsed upon striking the
deck. after their fall Of nearly one
mile. htterfng IL for yards with
scraps of torn metal and powdered
concrete Reports of the observers
indicate that the deck armor was
scarcely denied, the bombs showing
no penetrativa qualities worthy of
consideration.
on the actual bombing. their scouting
and concentration performance was
decidedly impressive
The target vessel was given 10000
square miles of sea in which to
choose her starting point and 10000
square miles additional I'm which she
might hide The scouting forces de-
10000 square miles of ocean con-
sisted Of but twelve seaplanss and
four blimps.
LOCATED SHIP IN Two HOURS
with absolutely no indication as to
the whereabouts OF tho Iowa. the air ,
force located her within two hours
after the zero hour, at a distance of ,
approximately nifty miles from shore.
In fact, had the aircraft known
deffnftely the spot IN which she lay,
they would have been able to reach
her only twenty-one minutes before
they actually did. even by flying q
direct course from shore at maximum
speed " sr0-
Plotting no course BY Dad reckon
ing. having xtszagEed hack and forth ,
In their search. the observers of ths
airshtp locating the Iowa reported
ber true position With an error Of
but fifteen miles. q feat which 10 con-
adhered another triumph for tho afrs
craft ...H.a.
Tho tests wero witnessed by q
party OF 800. composed Of army. navy
and marine corps experts, military
and naval attaches Of various foreign
governments, members of tho Senate :
and Hoose Naval and Military Com
mitteas and representatives Of tia
presa This party was aboard che u
8. Henderson, marine transport shin.
and was within 1000 yards Of the
target vesssi while tho bombing was
In proEresx
PREDICT ~TURT1.E-nACKA-
Army and Navy onloers sbosra
tho Henderson expressed tho opin-
ton that with further refinement OF
No. ~ Ivuw ii
deck armor would DO required Soms
went 50 far as to predict turtle
backed veesefs, with q curved steal
shell covering tho upper works.
Rear Admiral w. y. Pullam. ons
OF the strongest advocates of the
-three-plans navy operating above
the sea- on the surface, and below
the surface was enthusiastic evAr
the possibility of aviation ~ Q
naval arm
He advocated construction of fleets
of arnphibious planes, which could
land on the lee side of the mother
ed aboard by tackle. thus avoiding
tho danger of trying to land on ro-
stricted deck space in a high wind
There are wonderful possibilities
for aircraft operation against capital
ships.~ be declared Some hold tho
opinion that an aerial attack fails
unless II sinks the ship. Disagree
II bomb went through the upper
decks II would work such havoc
among the ships vitals as to disable
her. even though she still remained
af1oat You don't have to bury a man
after you shoot his head off In order
to kill him.
FIRST TESTS or KIND.
Tia teafe ON the loura nre afb~ At
In which an carial attack has been
made In peace times on a moving tar
get at sea The Iowa was capable Of
being Unanswered as would hostile
vessel under attack though she hsd
not a man aboard In order to uss
the Iowa for a moving target the
Navy Department lifted her with APP
paratus permitting of control from, .
ship at n distsnce Changes In tbs
power plants were necessary In order
that she might run for a const6 rabbs
p<rtpd vfthout ATTENTION ThA hoilAr1