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第28节

aeroplanes and dirigibles of war-第28节

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keeping close to the line of trunks; thus taking full advantage

of the overhanging branches; and marching in such a manner as to

create little dust; it is possible to escape the aerial scout。



The concealment of cavalry; however; is somewhat difficult。  An

animal; especially if he be unaccustomed to the noise of the

aeroplane; is likely to become startled; and to give vent to a

frightened and vociferous neighing which invariably provokes a

hearty response from his equine comrades。  The sharp ear of the

airman does not fail to distinguish this sound above the music of

his motor。  Again; he has come to regard all copses and stretches

of undergrowth with suspicion。  Such may or may not harbour the

enemy; but there is no risk in making an investigation。  He

swoops down; and when a short distance above the apparently

innocent copse; circles round it two or three times。  Still

undecided; he finally hurls a bomb。  Its detonation invariably

proves effective。  The horses stampede and the secret is out。 

Even foot soldiers must be severely trained and experienced to

resist the natural inclination to break cover when such a missile

is hurled into their midst。



Frequently a force; which has laboured under the impression that

it is safe from detection; has revealed its presence unwittingly

and upon the spur of the moment。  If the men be steeled against

the bomb attack; it is almost impossible to resist the

inclination to take a shot when the airman; swooping down;

ventures so temptingly near as to render him an enticing target

almost impossible to miss。  As a rule; however; the observer is

on the alert for such a betrayal of a force's existence。  When

the bomb fails to scatter the enemy; or the men are proof against

the temptation to fire a volley; a few rounds from the

aeroplane's machine gun often proves effective。  If the copse

indeed be empty no harm is done; beyond the abortive expenditure

of a few rounds of ammunition: if it be occupied; the fruits of

the manoeuvre are attractive。  Cunning is matched against

cunning; and the struggle for supremacy in the art of craftiness

is keen。



The French Flying Corps have had recourse to an ingenious ruse

for accomplishing two endsthe one to draw concealed artillery

fire; and the other to pre…occupy the airmen。  Two German aerial

scouts observed a French machine flying at a somewhat venturesome

height over their masked artillery。  Divining the reason for the

hostile intrepidity they  gave chase。  Circling round the French

machine they assailed it with machine…gun fire。  The enemy

appeared to take no notice but continued his gradual descent in a

steady line。



Presently the German airmen; having drawn sufficiently near;

observed that the French aviator was inert。  Had he been killed? 

Everything pointed to such a conclusion; especially as they had

raked the aeroplane fore and aft with bullets。  But still

suspicious they continued their circling movements; their

attention so concentrated upon their quarry that they had not

observed another move。  It was the crash of guns from their

masked artillery which broke in upon their absorption。  Looking

round; they observed three French aeroplanes soaring around and

above them at high speed。  Scarcely had they realised the

situation before a spirited mitraireuse fire was rained upon

them。  One of the German aeroplanes was speedily disabled。  Its

fuel tank was riddled and it sank rapidly; finally crashing to

earth in the deadly dive head foremost; and killing both its

occupants in the fall。  The second aeroplane hurried away with

its pilot wounded。  In the excitement of the aerial melee the

first French aeroplane had been forgotten。  It was now scarcely

100 feet above the German artillery。  A capture appeared to be

imminent; but the Germans received a rude surprise。  Suddenly the

aeroplane exploded and a hail of shrapnel burst over the heads of

the artillerymen。



The circumstance was decidedly uncanny; but after two or three

such experiences of exploding aeroplanes the matter was

explained。  The apparently helpless aeroplane was merely a

glider; which; instead of carrying a man; had a booby…trap

aboard。



It appears that the French airmen have found a use for the

aeroplanes which are considered unsafe for further use。  The

motor and propeller are removed and the dummy of explosives is

strapped into position。  The laden glider is then taken aloft by

means of an airship; and in the concealment of the clouds is

released; the rudder being so set as to ensure a gradual

vol…plane towards the suspicious position below。  The explosive

cargo is set with a time fuse; the arrangement being that the

contents will be detonated while the machine is near the ground;

unless this end is accelerated by a well…planted shell from an

anti…aircraft gun。  The decoy glider is generally accompanied by

one or two aeroplanes under control; which keep under the cover

of the clouds until the hostile aviators have been drawn into the

air; when they swoop down to the attack。  The raiders are fully

aware that they are not likely to become the target of fire from

the ground; owing to the fact that the enemy's artillery might

hit its friends。  Consequently the antagonistic airmen are left

to settle their own account。  In the meantime the dummy machine

draws nearer to the ground to explode and to scatter its

death…dealing fragments of steel; iron; and bullets in all

directions。



Possibly in no other phase of warfare is subterfuge practised so

extensively as in the concealment of guns。  The branches of trees

constitute the most complete protection and guns are placed in

position beneath a liberal cover of this character。  The branches

also offer a screen for the artillerymen; who can lurk beneath

this shelter until the aeroplane has passed。  To complete the

illusion dummy guns fashioned from tree trunks and the wheels of

useless limbers are rigged up; and partially hidden under

branches; the idea being to convey the impression to the man

aloft that they are the actual artillery。



The aerial scout observes the dummies beneath the sparse covering

of branches。  Congratulating himself upon his sharp eyesight; he

returns to his base with the intelligence that he has found the

enemy's guns he indicates their position upon the map; and in

some cases returns to notify the position of the weapons by

smoke…ball or tinsel; when they are immediately subjected to a

severe bombardment。  He follows the shell…fire and sees the arms

put out of action。  He returns to camp satisfied with his

exploit; oblivious of the smiles and laughter of the hostile

artillerymen; who have their guns safely in position and well

masked some distance away。  The dummies are imperfectly concealed

purposely; so that they may be discovered by the aerial scout;

while the real guns are completely masked and ready to belch

forth from another point。  In one or two cases the dummies have

been rigged up in such a manner as to convey the impression; when

seen from aloft; that a whole battery has been put out of action;

barrels and wheels as well as broken limbers strewing the ground

in all directions。



Moving masses of soldiers are also resorting to cunning in order

to mislead the airman or to escape his observation。  At the

battle of Haelen; during which engagement the German warplanes

were exceptionally active; the Belgian soldiers covered their

heads with bundles of wheat snatched from the standing stooks;

and under this cover lurked in a field where the corn was still

standing。  From aloft their forms defied detection: the

improvised headgear completely covered them and blended

effectively with the surrounding wheat。  In another instance the

French misled a German airman somewhat effectively。  What

appeared to be cavalry was seen to be retreating along the

country road; and the airman returned hurriedly to report。  A

German squadron was dispatched in hasty pursuit。  But as it

rounded a copse skirting the road it received a murderous fire at

close quarters; which decimated the ranks and sent the survivors

flying for their lives along the road up which they had ridden so

confidently。  Had the aviator been in a position to observe the

horses more closely; he would have found that what appeared to be

riders on their backs were in reality sacks stuffed with straw;

dressed in old uniforms; and that a mere handful of men were

driving the animals forward。  The cavalrymen had purposely

dismounted and secreted themselves in the wood in anticipation of

such a pursuit as was made。



While the Germans do not appear to be so enterprising in this

form of ingenuity they have not been idle。  A French airman

flying over the Teuton lines observed the outermost trenches to

be alive with men whose helmets were distinctly visible。  The

airman reported his observations and the trench was subjected to

terrific

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