Evening star., 1933-05-21

reallZdLlOn UI1dC IL Is a ScIlOuS
found in equipment and methods
those which have been used for t
There should be no necessity to point
out that this equipment and the meth
DDS of its employment probably will be
unsuited to, and different from, those
which are to be employed against higher
altitude targets; emphasis must, how
ever, be placed upon this fact, for 1t is
in danger Of being constantly over
looked.
The effectiveness of such equipment
and methods as are devised, should be
proven by test and not by conjecture.
These tests must embody the time ele-
ment and the surprise element. for
these are essential in determining the
requisite quality of fexibility. This
matter of test Is q problem of its own,
for it will require the devising Of a
target which will simulate the action
of the attack plane. 1t will do us no
good to conduct firing tests against the
type of target which we have been
using habitually for training in the past,
for outside of the fact that the target
which we have been using Is moving
and in the air, 1t Is totally dissimilar
in speed, altitude, and course flown to
that which the attack plane will pre-
sent"
The need for q target for actual fir
ing purposes is confined to test, Maj.
Hibbs said, pointing out that 1t would
seem more reasonable to conduct the
majo portion Of training by simulated
fire or use Of blank ammunition against
q plane or planes actually stimulating
attack. This would afford training not
only to personnel of the attack squad
rons, but also to animals, drivers and
other personnel Of ground columns.
This" he continued, would provide
us, In addition, the opportunity for de-
veloping, under actual conditions, meas
ures for reducing the casualties which
may be incident to the varying situa-
tions under which attacks may be made
upon U.S."
Speed Of Attack L. Problem.
The dificulty Of organizing a defense
against attack planes Is caused by the
lack Of warning and the exceedingly
brief duration of the attack, Mai. Hibbs
explained. The attack planes, ap-
preaching behind cover of hills, trees
and other obstacles, will come into view
OF the ground troops destined for attack
at ranges as short as 100 to 500 yards
in all but the flattest and most open
country and will seek cover over the
next hill orr grove beyond the target
Immediately.
If it Is attacking a concentrated
target" Maj. Hibbs said, these as
sumptions give 1000 yards As the
maximum length of travel Of the plane
while 1t is susceptible Of being fired
upon by our guns. This distance, in
fho of fnr - Il
being enflladed, will be increased by the
length so attacked, about 400 yards as
maximum"
A plane flying at 200 miles per hour,
which speed is being Appropriated by
experimental types now on trial by the
Army Air Corps, moves at Q rate Of
nearly 100 yards second, so that the
maximum time that the attack plane
will be under the fire Of ground weap-
ons will vary from 10 TO II seconds
This time probably will be the maxi
mum; In cases where cover exists close
to the target. the time may average only
from to 10 seconds.
THE extremely short time during
which the attack plane will be under
fire arises from its high speed and its
method Of attack and is the governing
factor which will control the design of
the weapon for defense; its mount. its
rate OF fire and its system Of fire con-
troll Maj. Hibbs said.
Scattering Column Useless.
This time element shows how use
less will be any attempt to scatter q
column, or even personnel, after the
attack Is perceived, in order to reduce
the effectiveness of enemy fire. Ma
chine gun fire may be expected to come
and, even II 1t does not, the bombs will
be dropped not later than seconds
thereafter; small progress toward scat
tering could be made by vehicles in
this time, even where terrain condi-
tions were favorable. The seeking Of
cover by personnel of battery in posi-
ton, when pits are Immediately avail
able, is a different matter and good ad-
vantage could probabaly be taken Of
them in the time available"
The primary and basic requirement
of a weapon to be used against attack
planes Is that 1t be capable OF going
into action without seconds delay
and that 1t be capable Of following the
plane continuously during the au-too-
few seconds the plane Is within sight.
TT win do us little good" he said,
''to have o weapon with so little hex
ibility that 1t cannot be trained upon
the plane and begin to fire in, say, less
than two seconds, fou we may many
times be attacked By plane which
will be over our heads and dropping its
bombs In q matter Of or 4 seconds
after its initial appearance. The plac-
ing of fire upon the plane as early as
possible during these first few seconds
Is Of vital importance"
Other requirements of anti-attack
plane guns must be extreme rapidity
of fire for short bursts and fire con-
troll system permitting the placing Of a
cone Of fire on the plane quickly and
the holding of IRE upon 1t while 1t Is
In view, Maj. Hibhs said, expressing the
opinion that here b . requirement
v,f4iHh In oAfaaR 30 sSn,~ 1sks ~ $yas,- -