PRACTICE AERIAL WARFARE

Six Alumni interested in aviation, but with their primary object the furtherance of preparedness for defence of the United States, are learning how to fly at Marblehead, and there are now in process of construction two large hydroaeroplanes which they expect to use in practicing the various arts of aerial warfare, and in teaching these to others.

One of the machines is to be owned and operated by Gordon Balch '12; Norman Winslow Cabot '98, George Richmond Fearing '93, and Dr. John Charles Phillips '99; the other one will be the property of Godfrey Lowell Cabot '82, and will be operated by him and his son, James Jackson Cabot '13. The aeroplanes will be of the Burgess-Dunne type with no rudders. The wings will have a span of 46 feet and the machines will be equipped with 140 horse-power Sturtevant motors.

Mr. Cabot, in a special statement to a CRIMSON reporter, described the need and object of an aeroplane corps.

U. S. Has Only 20 Aeroplanes.

"The purpose of the gentlemen who are now learning the art of aviation is primarily military preparedness. According to figures given by the National Security League, the number of aeroplanes owned in the United States is about 20, of which not more than one-half are at present in condition. I was told by one of the aviators in the United States Navy that the aviators often sit around for days without opportunity to go into the air, while repairs are being made. On the other hand, at the outbreak of the present world war, France had 1500 aeroplanes, most of them up-to-date machines, organized into squadrons of six. Whether the 10 aeroplanes at present available in the United States service are any one of them up-to-date machines, I know not. But certain it is that the requirements of military service are very exacting, and quite different from the demands of aviation considered only as a sport.

10,000 Machines Sufficient.

"Most important, it seems to me, is this: the aeroplanes are the eyes of an army or navy, making it possible to discern movements of the enemy and to direct artillery fire. One man in the air is worth 100 on the ground. I believe that 100 aeroplanes would be sufficient for reasonable coast patrol and that 1000 would provide defense against any hostile fleet of aeroplanes. Yet 10,000 aeroplanes would cost less than 10 battleships.

"We are, therefore, very much interested in trying to induce others to take up this branch of the national defence, build aeroplanes, and be as expert as possible in handling them. I sincerely hope that the College will take up the teaching of aviation both from the theoretical and practical side, and perhaps the Aero Club of New England might be able to co-operate with the college authorities in the way of practical instruction."