aeroplanes and dirigibles of war-第16节
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that the airship is useless when hovering beyond the zone of
fire。 The atmospheric haze; even in the clearest weather;
obstructs the observer's vision。 The caprices of this obstacle
are extraordinary; as anyone who has indulged in ballooning
knows fully well。 On a clear summer's day I have been able to
see the ground beneath with perfect distinctness from a height of
4;500 feet; yet when the craft had ascended a further two or
three hundred feet; the panorama was blurred。 A film of haze
lies between the balloon and the ground beneath。 And the
character of this haze is continually changing; so that the
aerial observer's task is rendered additionally difficult。 Its
effects are particularly notice able when one attempts to
photograph the view unfolded below。 Plate after plate may be
exposed and nothing will be revealed。 Yet at a slightly lower
altitude the plates may be exposed and perfectly sharp and
well…defined images will be obtained。
Seeing that the photographic eye is keener and more searching
than the human organ of sight; it is obvious that this haze
constitutes a very formidable obstacle。 German military
observers; who have accompanied the Zeppelins and Parsevals on
numerous aerial journeys under varying conditions of weather;
have repeatedly drawn attention to this factor and its caprices;
and have not hesitated to venture the opinion that it would
interfere seriously with military aerial reconnaissances; and
also that it would tend to render such work extremely hazardous
at times。
When these conditions prevail the dirigible must carry out its
work upon the broad lines of the aeroplane。 It must descend to
the level where a clear view of the ground may be obtained; and
in the interests of safety it has to keep on the move。 To
attempt to hover within 4;000 feet of the ground is to court
certain disaster; inasmuch as the vessel offers a magnificent and
steady target which the average gunner; equipped with the latest
sighting devices and the most recent types of guns; scarcely
could fail to hit。
But the airman in the aeroplane is able to descend to a
comparatively low level in safety。 The speed and mobility of his
machine constitute his protection。 He can vary his altitude;
perhaps only thirty or forty feet; with ease and rapidity; and
this erratic movement is more than sufficient to perplex the
marksmen below; although the airman is endangered if a rafale is
fired in such a manner as to cover a wide zone。
Although the aeroplane may travel rapidly it is not too fleet for
a keen observer who is skilled in his peculiar task。 He may only
gather a rough idea of the disposition of troops; their
movements; the lines of communication; and other details which
are indispensable to his commander; but in the main the
intelligence will be fairly accurate。 Undulating flight enables
him to determine speedily the altitude at which he is able to
obtain the clearest views of the country beneath。 Moreover;
owing to his speed he is able to complete his task in far less
time than his colleague operating in the dirigible; the result
being that the information placed at the disposal of his superior
officers is more to the moment; and accordingly of greater value。
Reconnoitring by aeroplane may be divided into two broad
categories; which; though correlated to a certain degree; are
distinctive; because each constitutes a specific phase in
military operations。 They are known respectively as 〃tactical〃
and 〃strategical〃 movements。 The first is somewhat limited in
its scope as compared with the latter; and has invariably to be
carried out rapidly; whereas the strategical reconnaissance may
occupy several hours。
The tactical reconnaissance concerns the corps or divisional
commander to which the warplane is attached; and consequently its
task is confined to the observation of the line immediately
facing the particular corps or division。 The aviator does not
necessarily penetrate beyond the lines of the enemy; but; as a
rule limits his flight to some distance from his outermost
defences。 The airman must possess a quick eye; because
his especial duty is to note the disposition of the troops
immediately facing him; the placing of the artillery; and any
local movements of the forces that may be in progress。
Consequently the aviator engaged on this service may be absent
from his lines for only a few minutes; comparatively speaking;
the intelligence he acquires must be speedily communicated to the
force to which he is attached; because it may influence a local
movement。
The strategical reconnaissance; on the other hand; affects the
whole plan of campaign。 The aviators told off for this duty are
attached to the staff of the Commander…in…Chief; and the work has
to be carried out upon a far more comprehensive and elaborate
scale; while the airmen are called upon to penetrate well into
the hostile territory to a point thirty; forty; or more miles
beyond the outposts。
The procedure is to instruct the flier either to carry out his
observations of the territory generally; or to report at length
upon a specified stretch of country。 In the latter event he may
fly to and fro over the area in question until he has acquired
all the data it is possible to collect。 His work not only
comprises the general disposition of troops; defences; placing of
artillery; points where reserves are being held; high…roads;
railways; base camps; and so forth; but he is also instructed to
bring back as correct an idea as possible of what the enemy
proposes to do; so that his Commander…in…Chief may adjust his
moves accordingly。 In order to perform this task with the
requisite degree of thoroughness it is often necessary for the
airman to remain in the air for several hours continuously; not
returning; in fact; until he has completed the allotted duty。
The airman engaged in strategical aerial reconnaissance must
possess; above all things; what is known as a 〃military〃 eye
concerning the country he traverses。 He must form tolerably
correct estimates of the forces beneath and their character。 He
must possess the ability to read a map rapidly as he moves
through the air and to note upon it all information which is
likely to be of service to the General Staff。 The ability to
prepare military sketches rapidly and intelligibly is a valuable
attribute; and skill in aerial photography is a decidedly useful
acquisition。
Such men must be of considerable stamina; inasmuch as great
demands are made upon their powers of endurance。 Being aloft for
several hours imposes a severe tax upon the nervous system; while
it must also be borne in mind that all sorts and conditions of
weather are likely to be encountered; more particularly during
the winter。 Hail; rain; and blizzards may be experienced in
turn; while the extreme cold which often prevails in the higher
altitudes during the winter season is a fearful enemy to combat。
Often an airman upon his return from such a reconnaissance has
been discovered to be so numbed and dazed as a result of the
prolonged exposure; that considerable time has elapsed before he
has been sufficiently restored to set forth the results of his
observations in a coherent; intelligible manner for the benefit
of the General Staff。 Under these circumstances it is not
surprising that the most skilful and experienced aviators are
generally reserved for this particular work。 In addition to the
natural accidents to which the strategical aerial observer is
exposed; the dangers arising from hostile gun…fire must not be
overlooked。 He is manoeuvring the whole time over the enemy's
firing zone; where anti…aircraft weapons are disposed
strategically; and where every effort is made by artillery to
bring him down; or compel him to repair to such a height as to
render observation with any degree of accuracy well…nigh
impossible。
The methods practised by the German aerial scout vary widely; and
are governed in no small measure by the intrepidity and skill of
the airman himself。 One practice is to proceed alone upon long
flights over the enemy's lines; penetrating just as far into
hostile territory as the pilot considers advisable; and keeping;
of course; within the limits of the radius of action of the
machine; as represented by the fuel supply; the while carefully
taking mental stock of all that he observes below。 It is a kind
of roving commission without any definite aim in view beyond the
collection of general intelligence。
This work; while productive and valuable to a certain degree; is
attended with grave danger; as the German airmen have repeatedly
found to their cost。 Success is influenced very materially by
the accuracy of the airman's judgment。 A slight miscalculation
of the velocity and direction of the wind; or failure to detect
any variations in the climatic conditions; is suffi