Shropshire Routes to Roots

Zeppelin raids: British defences

WHERE THE AEROPLANE SCORES.

The greatest danger to the Zeppelin comes from a well organised aeroplane fleet such as Great Britain possesses. American experts say that we have the finest air organisation in the world, and whilst we perhaps should not in our modesty take so extravagant a view of our own achievements, yet undoubtedly the war has demonstrated that Great Britain's naval airmen have accomplished wonders.
It is betraying no secret to say that there are twice as many British naval airmen stationed in England as there are on the Continent. That is to say, the bulk of our air arm is to be found within these shores, and it is known that No Zeppelin, however perfectly it may be armed, can hope to escape the attentions of the British pilot.
The gun on top of the gas-bag, of which Germany so proudly boasts, is a dummy, with no value whatever. Only the machine gun in the carriage "underneath the bag is of any service to the Zeppelin crew".

[Shropshire Archive reference: Shrewsbury Chronicle, date unknown]