Evening star., 1933-08-27

was fired at that time for the benefit of news
reel camera men. The total time from the
take-of from France Field to the firing of the
salvo was hour and IL minutes.
Two trips were made by the planes during
the experiment. the first carried the guns and
reduced crews, and the second trip brought the
remainder of men and supplies. The 20 officers
and men plus several additional officers who
were not essential for the functioning of the
battery were also carried as passengers, to wit
ness the demonstration. It was estimated that
the excess carrying capacity Of the planes was
sufilcient to have carried six more men and $50
rounds of ammunition Had more planes been
used, it would have been possible to have car
ried the entire battery, crew and supplies in
one trip.
It may be interesting to note that the return
Of the battery was made by air from Rio Hato
to France Field, using the same airplanes. M
attempt was made toward speed on the return
trip and no time other than the time of flight
was recorded. No difhculty was encountered on
any flight made in connection with the move
ment.
THE success of this venture inspired the Army
authorities to extend the experiment - .
larger scale. This was done during recent
maneuvers Of the Panama Canal military de-
partment when similar problem was involved.
An enemy force had landed on the Pacific Coast
and was marching toward the interior OF
Panama. Then it was to swing around and
capture the south entrance Of the canal. Troops
were dispatched to the scene and orders for
reinforcements were sent to the Atlantic side.
Most Of the reinforcing troops were sent by
railroad to the Pacific entrance, but an entire
battalion of artillery was moved by air from
France Field.
This larger air movement used 10 bombers,
% transports and 81 fighting pursuit planes.
Success was encountered in the demonstration
and it is believed that the results have revo-
lutionized this phase Of modern warfare. Gen.
Preston Brown, who was in charge of the
Panama operations, stated that he was very
pleased with the results" He went on further
to say that light artillery can be successfully
transported by air in order to repel surprise
attacks
It is believed that opportunities to transport
artillery, as was done under the conditions given
above, viii be afforded over terrain such as
exists in the vicinity Of Panama, although
landing fields capable of accommodating large
airplanes are scarce Also, 1t Is believed that
where control of the air Is obtained, such move
ments can be made without seriously interfering
with the functions Of the Air Corps, which are
observing enemy movements. Kidding the sky
of enemy aircraft and bombing behind enemy
Nnes It has been shown that movements Of
artillery by air can be made in Q very rapid
manner, not only Of material, but also Of sum-
cient personnel in order for it to perform in IN
enicient manner.
In 1923 . battery Of Field Artillery equipped
with the old-style mountain guns marched
across the isthmus and required 13 days for the
trip. It may be compared with the time made
by the air transports, and it can be easily seen
that military transportation has had much
progress.
This article Is not intended to give the i'm
preston that guns will always travel by air.
The artilleryman win continue to sing LAS the
Caissons Go Rolling Along" as it is improbable
that conditions would always favor this mode Of
transportation. The experiment does prove,
however, that in cases where . landing field is
available. such q movement Is feasible and en-
tirely worth the knowledge and experience
gained.
The reduced condition of the United States
Army makes this knowledge very valuable. It
enables speedy concentration Of artillery to
lombard an enemy force This is especially
true in Panama, because the canal in enemy
hands could prevent the Atlantic Fleet from
joining the Pacific Fleet. or vice versa, in time
to be of much effect.
Mi II