14 APRIL 1917, Page 3

Lord Sydenham, writing in Monday's Times, has entered a strong

protest. against Mr. Churchill's suggestion that the late Air Board, under Lord Curzon, failed in its duty, and was thus responsible for the recent casualties in the Flying Corps. Lord Sydenham, with full knowledge of the facts, declares that the old Air Board really saved the situation, preparing the way for the reorganized service for sea and land fighting which is now at work. Mr. Churchill, whose controversial methods become more and more distasteful, should know also, as Lord Sydenham says, that " there are obvious reasons why the Germans in effecting their strategic retirement' should concentrate all the air force available against our gallant airmen, who are keen to penetrate the mysteries of the Hindenburg Line." Considering that almost all the air fighting is done over the enemy lines, our casualties, though regrettable, are not surprising.