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MR. TENNANT’S EXPLANATION OF HOSTILE AEROPLANES, THE NEW GERMAN FOKKER. The question of the comparative merits of British and enemy aeroplanes was discussed in the House of Commons yesterday, when Sir E. Cornwall (L., Bethnal Green, N.E.) asked the Under-Secretary for War if the British aeroplanes now at the front were equal in efficiency to the new German Fokker machines, and whether he could make any statement as to the results of the aerial fight ing on the British front in Flanders during the last month. Mr. Tennant.—In order that the present position as regards aerial fighting on the Western front may be correctly understood the defensive nature of the German methods of fighting in the air must be kept in mind. It is to this kind of fighting only that the Fokker aeroplane, which is incapable of prolonged flights away from its own lines and over the British lines, is appropriate, though for this limited purpose its suitability is not disputed. The main duties of aeroplanes, however, are reconnaissance and artillery work, and in our case offensive fighting, and it is with reference to these duties that the suitability of our types of machine must be judged mainly. I may say, however, that if the Germans adopted the offensive and came behind our lines we have machines quite equal in efficiency and speed to the Fokker aeroplanes, which they employ defensively behind their lines. In reply to the second part of the question, I would point out that, for the reasons I have mentioned, nearly every fight in the air takes place on the German side of the trenches. As a result casualties to our aeroplanes and pilots when they occur tend to appear excessive by comparison, because the Germans can hide their own whilst advertising ours. But my military advisers are satisfied that our Flying Service has given a good account of itself in recent fighting (cheers).
Newspaper Details
London Standard
London, Middlesex, GB
Fri, Jan 21, 1916
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Sebastian M.
CA 30 May 2026
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