On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Army Aeroplanes in France THE question of organizing an aeroplane service or the army is occupying much attention in france at present, specially in view of the coming military maneuvers which will take place in the fall. M. Messimy, the new Minister of War, is taking active measures to make use of aeroplanes in the best possible way. The maneuvers will no doubt bring out many useful points, and at the same time will give some further data for organizing an aeroplane corps for the army. Steps are already being taken to do this. One plan is to have a reserve aeroplane corps which does not belong to the active army, but can be called into requisition when it is needed. Last year a number of pilots were called upon for an aeroplane service in this way, among others Latham, who then resumed his army position of lieutenant, and Breguet and other pilots acted in t1e same way. This year will see a greater number of well known pilots who have made their records within a recent time, among others Vedrines, and they will take part in various operations during the maneuvers. In principle, the Iilots go through their annual period of 28 days which is required of all private citizens up to a certain age. They will therefore not receive any money compensation, but will be rewarded by honorary distinctions or rise in grade. It will be remembered that Latham, Leblanc and others already received decorations owing to their performances in the military servic8. A point to be considered is how to recruit the aeroplanes themselves. The Minister considered at first that this could be done by having one or several aeroplanes kept in hand by each constructor so that they ( ould be called upon for use in tb^e army in case of need, and the constructor would also furnish the pilot, receiving an annual premium of $1,000 for the aeroplane. However, this plan has its drawbacks, as we fnd that aeroplanes are being quickly improved at present, and they would likely be out of date very soon. This reason led to considering another plan, that is, a requisition of the aeroplanes from their owners, such as has already been decided upon for automobiles, and as each citizen is already considered as nominally belonging to the army, it is natural that he should bring his machine into service at the same time bould this be needed. At all events, whatever may e the plan adopted, it is certain that active measures will be taken to organize the aeroplane corps. On the other hand, the Navy Department is taking steps in. the same direction. M. DeJcasse, the new Minister of the Marine, considers it best to take the pilots which are trained by the War Department in its various establishments, in order to avoid multiplying the number of training grounds. The Nayy Department will then proceed to purchase the aeroplanes which ' it needs. Commandant Daveluy, a prominent naval officer, is already appointed as chief of the aeroplane service, and he formerly distinguished himself by his treatises on naval tactics. The headquarters will be at the naval port of Toulon where is stationed the Mediterranean feet, and aeroplane grounds have been already laid out near the naval docks. We already mentioned that aeroplanes are to be one of the features of the next naval maneuvers, and they will be used in connection with battleships and submarines. Now that Aubrun found that he could sight a submarine when under water, this will no doubt be made one of the features of the maneuvers, and some interesting results may therefore De expected. An International Aero Map By Our Paris Correspondent WITH the modern progress of aeronautics, and especially with the coming of the aeroplane, the need
