Great naval enterprise

What it means

Black Sea to the Mediterranean

The bombardment of the Dardanelles indicated the opening of a new phase in the war. The event is one of far reaching significance and military importance.

It illustrates the long arm of sea power has now reached a stage of development where aircraft can communicate by wireless to the ships gunners and destructive fire can be maintained in any position.

The organisation of this present attack reveals admirable judgement but the whole operation is such an extremely formidable one that it is not to be accomplished by sea power alone.

The Straits are over 40 miles long and at their narrowest points where the defences are strongest, are only a mile wide. There are powerful fortifications at each end and forts at the narrowest points of the channel which is also mined.

How to take the Dardanelles is a problem which has exercised strategists. The squadrons do their part but they must have an ample military backing, moreover the whole operation must be meticulously planned.

Possession of the Dardanelles would not avail a clear pathway to Russia of course, unless Constaninople was held also.

Sea power has its limitations, and where those end military power must be exercised. An army is the projectile of a fleet, the latter opens the way for the former and carries it on its back. Turkey in Europe may consequently be divorced from Turkey in Asia, Constantinople may be attacked and these are the elements that are disturbing the Turco- German group currently enjoying control over the affairs of the Ottoman Empire.

German air raid

Bombs dropped in Essex

Aeroplane over Colchester

German aeroplanes appeared over Essex on Sunday night and dropped a bomb near cottages at Colchester, in a working class district near the barracks. Happily no damage was done. Owing to the great height at which the machine travelled it was impossible to see it but the noise of the propellers was distinctly heard.

Although not formally called upon, the special constabulary of the neighbourhood mobilised at nearly full strength.

The aircraft was reported to have also been at Braintree and Coggeshall west of Colchester where a second bomb is reported to have been dropped.

We last heard of the aeroplane apparently making way for Harwich and the sea.