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aeroplanes and dirigibles of war-第38节

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obvious that the aircraft is advancing directly towards them。



It was this ability to deduce direction from the sound of the

signals which led to the location of the Zeppelin which came down

at Lun6ville some months previous to the war; and which

threatened to develop into a diplomatic incident of serious

importance。  The French wireless stations running south…east to

north…west were vigilant; and the outer station on the north…west

side picked up the Zeppelin's conversation。  It maintained a

discreet silence; but communicated by telephone to its colleagues

behind。



Presently No。 2 station came within range; followed by Nos。 3; 4;

5; 6; and so on in turn。  Thus the track of the Zeppelin was

dogged silently through the air by its wireless conversation as

easily and as positively as if its flight had been followed by

the naked eye。  The Zeppelin travellers were quite ignorant of

this action upon the part of the French and were surprised when

they were rounded…up to learn that they had been tracked so

ruthlessly。  Every message which the wireless of the Zeppelin had

transmitted had been received and filed by the French。



Under these circumstances it is doubtful whether wireless

telegraphy between aircraft and the forces beneath will be

adopted extensively during the present campaign。  Of course;

should some radical improvement be perfected; whereby

communication may be rendered absolutely secretive; while no

intimation is conveyed to the enemy that ethereal conversation is

in progress; then the whole situation will be changed; and there

may be remarkable developments。







CHAPTER XVIII

AIRCRAFT AND NAVAL OPERATIONS



When once the flying machine had indicated its possibilities in

connection with land operations it was only natural that

endeavours should be made to adapt it to the more rigorous

requirements of the naval service。  But the conditions are so

vastly dissimilar that only a meagre measure of success has been

recorded。  Bomb…throwing from aloft upon the decks of battleships

appeals vividly to the popular imagination; and the widespread

destruction which may be caused by dropping such an agent down

the funnel of a vessel into the boiler…room is a favourite theme

among writers of fiction and artists。  But hitting such an

objective while it is tearing at high speed through the water;

from a height of several thousand feet is a vastly different task

from throwing sticks and balls at an Aunt Sally on terra firma:

the target is so small and elusive。



Practically it is impossible to employ the flying machine;

whether it be a dirigible or an aeroplane; in this field。  Many

factors militate against such an application。  In the first place

there is a very wide difference between dry land and a stretch of

water as an area over which to manoeuvre。  So far as the land is

concerned descent is practicable at any time and almost anywhere。

But an attempt to descend upon the open sea even when the latter

is as calm as the proverbial mill…pond is fraught with

considerable danger。  The air…currents immediately above the

water differ radically from those prevailing above the surface of

the land。  Solar radiation also plays a very vital part。  In fact

the dirigible dare not venture to make such a landing even if it

be provided with floats。  The chances are a thousand to one that

the cars will become water…logged; rendering re…ascent a matter

of extreme difficulty; if not absolutely impossible。  On the

other hand; the aeroplane when equipped with floats; is able to

alight upon the water; and to rest thereon for a time。  It may

even take in a new supply of fuel if the elements be propitious;

and may be able to re…ascend; but the occasions are rare when

such operations can be carried out successfully。



In operations over water the airman is confronted with one

serious dangerthe risk of losing his bearings and his way。  For

instance; many attempts have been made to cross the North Sea by

aeroplane; but only one has proved successful so far。  The

intrepid aviator did succeed in passing from the shore of Britain

to the coast of Scandinavia。  Many people suppose that because an

airman is equipped with a compass he must be able to find his

way; but this is a fallacy。  The aviator is in the same plight as

a mariner who is compelled from circumstances to rely upon his

compass alone; and who is debarred by inclement weather from

deciding his precise position by taking the sun。  A ship

ploughing the waters has to contend against the action of cross

currents; the speed of which varies considerably; as well as

adverse winds。  Unless absolute correction for these influences

can be made the ship will wander considerably from its course。  

The airman is placed in a worse position。  He has no means of

determining the direction and velocity of the currents prevailing

in the atmosphere; and his compass cannot give him any help in

this connection; because it merely indicates direction。



Unless the airman has some means of determining his position;

such as landmarks; he fails to realise the fact that he is

drifting; or; even if he becomes aware of this fact; it is by no

means a simple straightforward matter for him to make adequate

allowance for the factor。  Side…drift is the aviator's greatest

enemy。  It cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy。  If

the compass were an infallible guide the airman would be able to

complete a given journey in dense fog just as easily as in clear

weather。  It is the action of the cross currents and the

unconscious drift which render movement in the air during fog as

impracticable with safety as manoeuvring through the water under

similar conditions。  More than one bold and skilful aviator has

essayed the crossing of the English Channel and; being overtaken

by fog; has failed to make the opposite coast。  His compass has

given him the proper direction; but the side…drift has proved his

undoing; with the result that he has missed his objective。



The fickle character of the winds over the water; especially over

such expanses as the North Sea; constitutes another and seriously

adverse factor。  Storms; squalls; gales; and; in winter;

blizzards; spring up with magical suddenness; and are so severe

that no aircraft could hope to live in them。  But such

visitations are more to be dreaded by the lighter…than…air than

by the heavier…than…air machines。  The former offers a

considerable area of resistance to the tempest and is caught up

by the whirlwind before the pilot fully grasps the significant

chance of the natural phenomenon。  Once a dirigible is swept out

of the hands of its pilot its doom is sealed。



On the other hand; the speed attainable by the aeroplane

constitutes its safety。  It can run before the wind; and meantime

can climb steadily and rapidly to a higher altitude; until at

last it enters a contrary wind or even a tolerably quiescent

atmosphere。  Even if it encounters the tempest head on there is

no immediate danger if the aviator keep cool。  This fact has been

established times out of number and the airman has been

sufficiently skilful and quick…witted to succeed in frustrating

the destructive tactics of his natural enemy。



Only a short while ago in France; British airmen who went aloft

in a gale found the latter too strong for them。  Although the

machine was driven full speed ahead it was forced backwards at

the rate of 10 miles per hour because the independent speed of

the aeroplane was less than the velocity of the wind。  But a

dirigible has never succeeded in weathering a gale; its bulk;

area; and weight; combined with its relatively slow movement; are

against it; with the result that it is hurled to destruction。  

All things considered; the dirigible is regarded as an

impracticable acquisition to a fleet; except in the eyes of the

Germans; who have been induced to place implicit reliance upon

their monsters。  The gullible Teuton public confidently believes

that their Dreadnoughts of the air will complete the destruction

of the British fleet; but responsible persons know full well that

they will not play such a part; but must be reserved for

scouting。  Hitherto; in naval operations; mosquito water…craft;

such as torpedo…boats; have been employed in this service。  But

these swift vessels suffer from one serious disability。  The

range of vision is necessarily limited; and a slight mist hanging

over the water blinds them; the enemy may even pass within

half…a…mile of them and escape detection。



The Zeppelin from its position 1;000 feet or more above the

water; in clear weather; has a tremendous range of vision; the

horizon is about 40 miles distant; as compared with approximately

8 miles in the case of the torpedo…boat。  of course an object;

such as a battleship; may be detected at a far greater range。  

Consequently the German naval programme is to send the Zeppelin

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