1927-12-24 — Page 12

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1927.

FLYING DAY BY DAY.

POINT COOK.

IST MILITARY PILOTS IN

AUSTRALIA.

1

STORY OF EARLY DAYS.

hg for his subject, "Early

THE ZEPPELINS.

VALUE OF DIRIGIBLES FOR RECONNAISSANCES.

THE CHINA MAIL,

preparations, but they must have s make the test. I did not see the been bungled somewhere. When the airship had reached a sufficient height Strasser got into the little AIR-CAPTAIN'S NARRATIVE.

car and gave the algnal which would lower it a half mile below the About the beginning of 1916,

"The oceans will not stop the ship. About 300 feet down, while said the lecturer, applications were huge military airship-the aerial the winch was allowing the cable to called for the second school of leviathan of the near future." unwind slowly but steadily, the tall instruction, which started on March 1, and in which there were eight

That is the considered bellef of of the car became entangled with members selected from officers of Air-Captain (retired) Ernest Leh- the wireless norial. It caught the the Citizen Forces. Mr. Gallaway mann, the officer whose woudsyful} car.and tilted it upside down. The was a member of that school, experiences in શઋત with the cable meanwhile continued unwind- and he mentioned that, for the Zeppelins during the War have beening from the winch above and was taken up by Merz, and occasion-"Saturday Evening Post," and ex- below Strasser, who only saved him- first few weeks, they were merely appearing in the columns of the beginning to dangle in a slack loop | of Point Cook, Mr. R. Jally by Harrison, for joy-rides, but tracts from which have been made self from being tipped out by cling- way recounted some interest by leaning forward and placing in previous issues of "The Queens- ing to the sides of the car with a miniscences of the introdue their hands on the "stick" they of military aviation in Aus-

lander." 'He were able to gain some experience;

observes that deathlike grip. Suddenly the aerial at the Australian Aero Club elevating and deflecting the "people were never well-informed gave way, sending the car and sland branch) recently.

machine. Before they had reached concerning the real nature of the Strasser plunging down until it Callaway, who is a Fellow of the stage of flying solo it was an important services rendered by the brought up at the end of its own nstitute of Aeronautical Enounced that an Expeditionary Fly-Zeppelins. Hardly anything at all cable with a sickening jolt. It was rs, was R member of the ing Force was to be sent immedi- was told about their reconnaissance not a propitious introduction for d flying school at Point Cook ately to Mesopotamia, Petre had and patrol activities, and only a few the new device. Still had it been ecalled that just before the been instigating the Defence De-of the raids found their way into more quickly, developed it might the Defence Department im-

partment to do this for some time.print abroad. I know it will sur- have saved considerable trouble and It was decided that only a half-prise the majority to learn that as several disasters. Strasser himself Bight could be sent. The officer selected were. Fetre, Morz, White, early as 1916 the naval Zeppelins might have survived. He let noth- and Treloar, the last named being made thirty raida during that one ing interfere with his programime of a man from Bailarat who had been year, though then there were no participating at least once a month through one of the private schools more than fifteen ships in commis- in a raid on England. On August in England. They also took with sion at any one time.

5, 1918, while approaching the them a batch of mechanics, who "During the first six months of English coast shortly before night- were principally drawn from the war the German navy had five auch fall, the L-70, with Strasser aboard, motor trade. They were not equipped with aeroplanes. When craft. Six months later ten more was shot down in flames by a Bri- had been commissioned in that | lish aeroplanes. This happened on a they reached Mesopotamia they were attached to one of the British branch of the service. But remem- comparatively clear evening. The units operating there, and they did ber, this was in the early stages, use of the observation car would good work. Mertz was killed by Had it not been a period of great have permitted operations in cloudy some wandering tribesmen after national anxiety the Zeppelins of weather and tactics calculated to making a forced landing in the those days would have been turned | avoid discovery by the enemy." desert, and White was captured by more or less experimental, As it the Turks, and held prisoner. for was, they operated as warships, and two years. Treloar came back to the personnel, from the comman- Australia, but Petre went to Eng-dors to the newest recruita amony land, and never came back to Aus- tralia. He was evidently disgusted the mechanics, were compelled to with the policy of the Australian gain their experience from actuni Defence Department. He was a operations against the enemy. And fine man, and would have been a that could not be done without ac- great asset to Australia.

cepting very severe losses.” First Squadron Formed.

Beginning of Bad Luck. Ultimately the whole of the eight Captain Lehmann points out that members of the Seeand School of the German Navy, first acquired a Instruction passed their examina-Zeppelin branch, or service, as far tions, and in May, 1915, they re-back as 1912, when the first naval ceived their certificates as pilots, airship-the L1-was commissioned after doing their flights on the at Hamburg, and the Navy had to Bristol box kite. Then they re- ceiver notice that No. 1 Squadron use the commercial aerodrome be was to be formed shortly, and Mr. cnuse it had not one of its own any- Gallaway was appointed assistant where. A year later, on September instructor, under Harrison. While 13, the L1 was lost in the North | Baltic hefore the new year. As a that camp was being formed, No.

UNDERWOOD INDLAWOOD, 1, V,

fra. Anker, of Denmark, who wAN finance the flight of Mrs. Gray-

to Copenhagen.

ted two pilots, Harrison and

3 Instructional School for Flying e, from Eugland, Harrison WAR

Officers was held. Among its mem- inally employed by the Bristolbers were "Billy" Hart, the dentist oplane Co. After being seven of Sydney, who had previously Ight months in Australia these bought a box kite and taught him- men selected Point Cook, near self to fly at Penrith (New South bourne, as suitable site, and Wates): a man called Hammond,

that time it has been the who also had had a maching of his] dquarters of the Royal Aus- own; and a pilul numed Jones, who' Ihn Air Force, When war came from Queensland. Most of ke out the only flying machines these men, after their course of Paint Cook were a Bristul box; training, were drafted into No. 1 which was even then an old- Squadron. the command of which aloned style of biplane, a Bleriot was assamed by Lieul-Col. J. F. chine, and two BEZA machines. Reynolds, who at That time. ouple of temporary hangars had Director of Military Operations on is.omgated. ...

the General Staff." After, No. 1 Squadron sailed the fourth and fifth schools, of instruction, were hek, and among the members were Wing Commander Wackelt; Mac- namara, the only Australian Air Force winner of the Victoria Cross: and Lieut. Macnaughton, a son of his Honour, Mr. Justice Mac- naughton.

FIFE Expeditionary Force.

To days after war was de- Ted Karrison sailed for German w Guines with the First New th Wales Naval and Military peditionary Force, taking with two mechanics named Chester Carter, together with ane uf HEA machines. The nero- ne was landed at Rabaul, but

Australian Aero Club.

WES

yer unpacked. That how- At this stage Mr. Gallaway gave Va actually the first Aus- some interesting particulars of Flying Corps expedition. the birth of the Australian Aero

hon Harrison got back to Aus-Club, the parent of the Queensland

Alla the Defence Department de-organisation. He said the club

Invaluable for Naval Scouting.

the energetic naval authorities had A month after the War broke out, got their two lost airships replaced. For some

months they were em- ployed only on patrol and observa- tion work. The L3 made 141 flights over the North Sea during the Inst inonths of 1914, her longest tour of duty keeping her out 34 hours. That was a good performance for the early ships. The L4, too, made 50 flights in the latter part of the same period, often staying out for a day and a night. The L5, which had been turned over to the navy after it left the immediately Zeppelin factory in October, mado 50 successful patrol flights over the

UNI

Bert Acosta (left), companion of Clarence Chamberlin in a previous endurance flight, is out to break the record recently estab lished by a German flier. This time Acosta will make the attempt with Ed Burgin, and they will fly in a Fokker Universal 'plane.

led to establish the first military was originally formed in Melbourne Seu, drowning most of its crew and present that first Christmas of the lag school.

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selves in case their ship is lost, even in a most violent winter anowatorm. "I knew, when we finally turned homeward, shortly after noon," said Fritz, "that we would be up against some trouble. A southerly breeze had sprung up and was now steadily increasing. The horizon in the south held dark and ugly- looking cloud banks. On top of this jour No. 2 engine had been bucking several times, and could not be trusted to hold out. Soon, while crossing the Skager Rack, we met a stiff head wind, which began to kick up the sea below us. When the first rain aquails came on with violent gust I realised that in the event of further trouble we could not, hope to land and float on the aca until assistance should arrive. For a moment I thought of crossing over eastward to the Baltic through the Cattegat and Belts with the wind abeam, but the distance to German soll would be at least thrice ns for that way. We might have better weather there, but we could not know how much better.

It was decided to by Petre, on the lines of the Royal the able first Chief of Naval Air- war, the high command had given "I decided to run straight south, Aero Club of England, and a meet- ships, Captain Metzing. By strange the navy three new Zeppelins-L6, following the Danish coast, so as to ing was held at which Mr. Shelion coincidence, on this very day, the L2 L7, and L8. That was the begin- land when it should become un- was appointed honorary secretary.

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clamber down on the handling lines which I had paid out everywhere from the cars,

of their weight, but they all jumped at once and none was hurt.

11.

SUNRISE AND, SUNSET.

Date.

Sunrise, Sunset, A.1, p.r. 24...7.00, 5.45 # 25.7.00 5.46 m.

26 ...:7.00,,

5.46,,

27...7.01 5.47 #

lots, and the successful applicants entrance to the first school

avoidable. Shortly after 2 o'clock ere Blaut. Williams, Capt. White, Just before No. 1 Squadron sailed was commissioned for service, and aut. Manuel, and Dr. Merz. The for the front, the second meeting thirty days later, on October 13, "The following year, 1915, the our No. 2 engine failed us. I had ree months' course was concluded was held in the Cafe Francaise in this airship was burned in the air navy had many more Zeppelins, long ago given up the idea of the end of 1914, and Dr. Merz, Melbourne, and the books were at Johannisthal. Captain Lehmann; though the maximum in commission making our station at Hamburg, ha obtained Brst place in the handed over to Mr. Gallaway. At adds pithily:-

at one time was not more than 16 but still had hopes of reaching amination, was appointed assist the same meeting it was decided to "It was difficult to explain to the because of the losses. Yet those Northern Schleswig, where I could it Instructor.. To get their pilot write to the Royal Aero Club ask-public, and, in fact, to the average naval airships made 389 long-possibly have some assistance at the rtificates they had to pass the ing that the club should be given naval officer, that poor ventilation distance patrol flights during the Tondern airship station, then under oyal Aero. Club conditions, which power to issue pilot certificates in in the engine gondalas had ignited 12 months' period, besides the 30 construction. aalated at that time of a series Australia. This permission was

Decision to Land on Neutral Soil. faro eight flights, and also an subsequently granted. During the some overflowing hydrogen gas, raide against England,

"Four of them were lost in action titude test, in which they had next school of instruction Mr. and that correction of the ventilat

"After 5 o'clock the wind began lae to a height of 800 metres Gallaway called the third meeting ing system would prevent accident with the enemy. The L3 and L4 blowing with gale force and violent nd descend with the engine shut of the club, and enrolled the whole from that source in future. In and were wrecked in a gale on February snow squalls set in. At times, landing within 20 yards of a school as members. When. Mr. out of the navy the safety of the 17, 1916, both landing in Denmark, looking down on the foaming and hite sheet spread on the ground. Gallaway left Australia for the Zeppelin remained largely a matter where their crews were interned. hissing sea, we seemed to be mak "On a signal from my hand out December hey also received lecturee on air Frent ho handed over the books of of grave doubt. Nearly all of our The two ships had been sent north ing no headway at all. I realised of the control-car window as they ynamics and instruction in rigging the Aero Club to Mr. Sleeman, who best airship personnel had been to the Norwegian coast to check a that we would never survive that approached the ground they let go orodjane,

became the first general secretary. killed. But Metzing's successor a report by a merant vessel which night in the air, and since we and jumped down. I valved hydro- chief happened to be a firm be suggested the presence of a large would have to land somewhere in gen sometline before and during Never in airships. He was Captain British force in those waters. They strange country, anyway, I decided this period to prevent the ship from Peter Strasser, a brave and talented | found the sea deserted, however. to land right then, before the dark rising too suddenly when relieved officer, destined to be the genius When they turned back for their winter night should make it more responsible for the war operations long homeward flight they had just difficult. I selected the Danish of the naval Zeppelins and the enough fuel left to make port under island of Fano, which is flat and

"With this ground crew of eight leader who established them in the best of normal weather con-smooth, without any tall trees or lasting position as important units ditions. A strong southerly wind other obstacles. Approaching it I the second landing, or the real land- of a modern fleet."

aprang up unexpectedly. It soon had all the ship's papers bundled in, as I must call it, was fairly easy: I dropped both anchor ropes A Thrilling Escape,

increased in velocity until it became together, including the secret code from the nose of the ship, and they Captain Strasser the von a gale. The ships could not make signal book with its lead covers, took them apart, hauling to the Tirpitz of the Naval Zeppelin ser-enough speed against it. In later and dropped them in deep water `slack as they could get it. At this vice. Energetic, able, well-inform- periods they would not have been "When we brought the ship op

moment another vicious-looking ed, aggressive, and courageous, he sent so far out without being pre into the wind toward a great flat

snow squall was approaching, so I was indeed a foeman worthy of the pared to receive timely radio warn and smooth expanse of land on the ordered all men to the forward car, we would not be able to hold her British airmen's steel. He was the ings of adverse weather. Both island, we had to use our two os- responsible officer appointed by commanders, Fritz, of the L3, and gines almost fall out to make any opening all hydrogen valves at the very long, and if we did she would same time. I had other men to remain in Denmark anyway. Hor Lehmann, which was awung down Count Platen-Hallermund, of the speed at all. What followed was a stand ready and jump immediately frame had broken in the middle, on a steel wire rope half-a-mile from L4, had been anxious to make a nice and precise landing manoeuvre, when a gust of wind brought the "Still I hesitated a moment. She the airship, through the cloud belt, thorough job of their search, so just as in the days when we were ship close to the ground. After was my first ship. I could hardly for observation purposes. The Ger had remained over the doubtful area practising at Hamburg You ro man army authorities were slow long enough to scan the surface in member, that one atlif storm in that the effect of the valving made steel myself to let her go. The Itself felt, the ship became heavy, snow squal! was now upon us.' It and sceptical as to its value; they all directions."

which we experimented, mooring dawdled and delayed for a full year In Dire Peril Over the North Sea, our ship on the three heavy anchor with the war in full birst, too! Captain Lehmann narrates how chains laid out on the field? We Captain Lehmann says: "It was dif- Captain Frite, of the LS, managed could hold the ship in the air in ferent with the navy, however, to escape the vigilant cruisers and any place we wanted. Well, this Strasser had Immediately decided: destroyers of the British Fleet in was just about the same situation. to experiment with the car built by the North Sea. They met Men Used As Ballast. the Zeppelin company according to Friedrichshafen after the war and I went close to the ground, per my plans. As was his custom, he he gave the details of his fight. haps thirty feet over the surface, declined to send any of his sub- His story illustrates the manner in making not more than a mile or two ordinates aloft to conduct the ex- which ailled commander and headway. I had previously in periment. He himself went up to crew can manage to save them structed four men from each car to to destruction. It was evident that affe

A new attack ship, 'ballt to engage in actual combat with troops on the ground, was recently turned over to the U.S. Army for testing. The machine is a biplane mounted with six machine guns capable of. firing 6,000 rounds without reloading. The particular feature of the plane which makes it useful for raking trenches is the placing of two of the machine guns in the wings. The fire from these two nuto matic gun converges, and by flying the plane along a trench it la kasid that an entire sector could be wiped out. The craft can make 2160 miles an hour,

was

1

28 ..7.01 5.47

29

30

7.02

6.48

"

..7.02 »

5.48

317.03., 5.49,...

and we permitted her to come down made the decision for me. It struck finally. She hit the ground heavily with a furious blast, and blinding with both cars, while the rest of the masses of snow made the earth, as crew jumped. A gust struck her dark as night, The ship was and dashed her against the surface, pressed hard down on the ground, I had remained inside the control- but soon began to drag our few men car with only the elevator man, and with irresistible. force. The bombs, we both left the ship, which was Instruments, and other apparatus now an empty shell, still living, with were taken out and the wreck her engines throbbing, but doomed porarily moored. Then we net