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aeroplanes and dirigibles of war-第34节

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feet; or on speed combined with rapid twisting and turning; or

erratic undulating flight; rendering it extremely difficult for

the gun…layer to follow his path with sufficient celerity to

ensure accurate firing。



At altitudes ranging between 4;000 and 6;000 feet the aeroplane

comes within the range of rifle and machine…gun firing。  The

former; however; unless discharged in volleys with the shots

covering a wide area; is not particularly dangerous; inasmuch as

the odds are overwhelmingly against the rifleman。  He is not

accustomed to following and firing upon a rapidly moving

objective; the result being that ninety…nine times out of a

hundred he fails to register a hit。  On the other hand the

advantage accruing from machine…gun fire is; that owing to the

continuous stream of bullets projected; there is a greater

possibility of the gun being trained upon the objective and

putting it hors de combat。



But; taking all things into consideration; and notwithstanding

the achievements of the artillerist; the advantages are

overwhelmingly on the side of the aviator。  When one reflects

upon the total sum of aircraft which have been brought to earth

during the present campaign; it will be realised that the number

of prizes is insignificant in comparison with the quantity of

ammunition expended。







CHAPTER XVI

MINING THE AIR



While the anti…aircraft gun represents the only force which has

been brought to the practical stage for repelling aerial attack;

and incidentally is the sole offensive weapon which has

established its effectiveness; many other schemes have been

devised and suggested to consummate these ends。  While some of

these schemes are wildly fantastic; others are feasible within

certain limitations; as for instance when directed against

dirigibles。



It has been argued that the atmosphere is akin to the salt seas;

that an aerial vessel in its particular element is confronted

with dangers identical with those prevailing among the waters of

the earth。  But such an analogy is fallacious: there is no more

similarity between the air and the ocean than there is between an

airship and a man…of…war。  The waters of the earth conceal from

sight innumerable obstructions; such as rocks; shoals; sandbanks;

and other dangers which cannot by any means be readily detected。



But no such impediments are encountered in the ether。  The craft

of the air is virtually a free age in the three dimensions。  It

can go whither it will without let or hindrance so long as the

mechanical agencies of man are able to cope with the influences

of Nature。  It can ascend to a height which is out of all

proportion to the depth to which the submarine can descend in

safety。  It is a matter of current knowledge that a submarine

cannot sink to a depth of more than 250 feet: an aerial vessel is

able to ascend to 5;000; 8;000; or even 10;000 feet above the

earth; and the higher the altitude it attains the greater is its

degree of safety。  The limit of ascension is governed merely by

the physical capacities of those who are responsible for the

aerial vessel's movement。



It is for this reason that the defensive measures which are

practised in the waters of the earth are inapplicable to the

atmosphere。  Movement by; or in; water is governed by the depth

of channels; and these may be rendered impassable or dangerous to

negotiate by the planting of mines。  A passing ship or submarine

may circumvent these explosive obstructions; but such a

successful manoeuvre is generally a matter of good luck。  So far

as submarines are concerned the fact must not be over looked that

movements in the sea are carried out under blind conditions: the

navigator is unable to see where he is going; the optic faculty

is rendered nugatory。  Contrast the disability of the submarine

with the privileges of its consort in the air。  The latter is

able to profit from vision。  The aerial navigator is able to see

every inch of his way; at least during daylight。  When darkness

falls he is condemned to the same helplessness as his confrere in

the waters below。



A well…known British authority upon aviation suggested that

advantage should be taken of this disability; and that the air

should be mined during periods of darkness and fog to secure

protection against aerial invasion。  At first sight the proposal

appears to be absolutely grotesque; but a little reflection will

suffice to demonstrate its possibilities when the area to be

defended is comparatively limited。  The suggestion merely

proposes to profit from one defect of the dirigible。  The latter;

when bent upon a daring expedition; naturally prefers to make a

bee…line towards its objective: fuel considerations as a matter

of fact compel it to do so。  Consequently it is possible; within

certain limits; to anticipate the route which an invading craft 

will follow: the course is practically as obvious as if the

vessel were condemned to a narrow lane marked out by sign…posts。

Moreover; if approaching under cover of night or during thick

weather; it will metaphorically 〃hug the ground。〃 To attempt to 

complete its task at a great height is to court failure; as the

range of vision is necessarily so limited。



Under these circumstances the mining of the air could be carried

out upon the obvious approaches to a threatened area。  The mines;

comprising large charges of high…explosive and combustible

material; would be attached to small captive balloons similar to

the 〃sounding balloons〃 which are so much used by meteorologists

in operations for sounding the upper strata of the atmosphere。  

These pilot balloons would be captive; their thin wires being

wound upon winches planted at close intervals along the

coast…line。  The balloon…mines themselves would be sent to

varying heights; ranging from 1;000 to 5;000 feet; and with

several attached to each cable; the disposition of the mines

in the air in such an irregular manner being in fact closely

similar to the practice adopted in the mining of a channel for

protection against submarines and hostile ships。



The suggestion is that these mines should be sent aloft at dusk

or upon the approach of thick and foggy weather; and should be

wound in at dawn or when the atmosphere cleared; inasmuch as in

fine weather the floating aerial menace would be readily detected

by the pilot of a dirigible; and would be carefully avoided。  If

the network were sufficiently intricate it would not be easy for

an airship travelling at night or in foggy weather to steer clear

of danger; for the wires holding the balloons captive would be

difficult to distinguish。



The mines would depend upon detonators to complete their work;

and here again they would bear a close resemblance to sea…mines。

By looping the mines their deadliness could be increased。  The

unsuspicious airship; advancing under cover of darkness or thick

weather; might foul one of the wires; and; driving forward; would

tend to pull one or more mines against itself。  Under the force

of the impact; no matter how gentle; or slight; one or more of

the detonating levers would be moved; causing the mine to

explode; thus bursting the lifting bag of the vessel; and firing

its gaseous contents。  An alternative method; especially when a

cable carried only a single mine; would be to wind in the captive

balloon directly the wire was fouled by an invading aerial craft;

the process being continued until the mine was brought against

the vessel and thereby detonated。



Another proposed mining method differs materially in its

application。  In this instance it is suggested that the mines

should be sent aloft; but should not be of the contact type; and

should not be fired by impact detonators; but that dependence

should be placed rather upon the disturbing forces of a severe

concussion in the air。  The mines would be floating aoft; and

the advance of the airship would be detected。  The elevation

of the mines in the vicinity of the invading craft would be

known; while the altitude of the airship in relation thereto

could be calculated。  Then; it is proposed that a mine within d

certain radius of the approaching craft; and; of course; below

it; should be fired electrically from the ground。  It is

maintained that if the charge were sufficiently heavy and an

adequate sheet of flame were produced as a result of the

ignition; an airship within a hundred yards thereof would be

imperilled seriously; while the other mines would also be fired;

communicating ignition from one to the other。  The equilibrium

of the airship is so delicate that it can be readily upset; and

taking into account the facts that gas is always exuding from

the bag; and that hydrogen has a tendency to spread somewhat in

the manner of oil upon water; it is argued that the gas would be

ignited; and would bring about the explosion of the airship。



Another method has even been advo

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