Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-14
STRONGER AIR FORCE
FOR PANAMA NEEDED

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 "a. PD-Va-
rious means of strengthening the de-
lenses of the Panama Canal are sug
gested in an official Navy Depart
ment critique. prepared as a result
of a study of last springs maneuvers
in Panama Bay.
The weaknesses of the present
canal Notifications, the memorandum
said. include the improper grouping
of defense artillery, the lack of a
sufficient air force in the Canal
Zone, and the susceptibility of GER
tain vital parts of the waterway to
air bombs. 1t is suggested also that
the defending feet should be
balanced by the addition of scout
cruisers. and that a study should be
made of the possibility of obtaining
by treaty the right to establish air.
craft bases at certain unnamed
points on foreign soil nearby.
In the spring maneuvers, the
enemy" fleet from across the Pacific
discarded any plan to attack the
canal directly, but succeeded in
Rica, from which it was in a position
to send out an air fleet against the
little strip of United States territory.
. In drawing up their estimates"
says the critique. both command
crs considered the possibility of
blocking the canal by an attack in
force on the Pacific side defenses
and locks. Blue Ghe United States
defense fleet cOmmander) rejected
this idea as improbable on the part
of Black (the enemy fleet COM
, mandCr) because the heavy forth
fications would keep his ships at
bay and even should he reduce these
which is unlikely he would still
have. in all probability, mine field.
submarine entrance guard, and an
air attack to overcome"
"Black rejected this course be-
cause, to destroy the closest locks by
bombardment, or by torpedoes. ships
would first have to destroy the
enemy sea forces. run the gauntlet of
the mines and submarines in Pana-
ma Bay and even otter this were
done, shore batteries would still
keep our forces at a range of $4,000
yards at which distance destruction
of the locks by bombardment is
hardly possible.
Both the Black and Blue Com
manders estimated that the best
chance for Black to accomplish his
mission was to bomb the vital parts
by means of airplancs."
This situation, coupled with other
facts developed during the maneu-
vers. led the naval experts to reach
rather definite decisions as to the
future needs of national defense in
that quarter. The official critique
concludes as follows.
Some of the benefits to be gained
from this problem can he summar-
lied in certain conclusions as fol-
lows:
There are certain well defined
weaknesses in the Panama Canal
defenses-these are:
susceptibility of certain vital
parts to damage, by bombs carried
by aircraft
Grouping of the coast defense ar
tillery too close together to prevent
attacking vessels which have once
gained control of the sea and air
from reaching positions that will
permit firing on the Miraf1ores locks.
Lack of sufficient aircraft in
canal defenses to insure immunity
from attack by enemy bombers
should base be obtained within
striking distance.
The necessity for more complete
liaison between the army and navy
forces. especially in communica lions.
information concerning enemy forces.
and means for recognizing same
The necessity for dissemination
or information to our own forces.
where information is necessary or
desirable in > order that our own
forces may act 'intelligently this in