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aeroplanes and dirigibles of war-第40节

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experiment with a scheme for directly launching the warplane

from the deck of a battleship in the orthodox; as well as

offering it a spot upon which to alight upon returning from a

flight; while Wing…Commander Samson; R。N。; D。S。O。; the famous

British airman; repeated the experiment by flying from a

similar launching way installed upon H。M。S。 Hibernia。  But

this practice has many shortcomings。  So far as the British

and French navies are concerned; the former process is

preferred。  Again; when the waterplane returns from a flight

it is admitted that it is simpler; quicker; and safer for it

to settle upon the water near the parent ship and to be lifted

on board。



As a sea…scout the waterplane is overwhelmingly superior to

the dirigible as events have conclusively proved。  Its

greater mobility and speed stand it in excellent stead

because it is able to cover a larger area within a shorter

space of time than its huge and unwieldy contemporary。

Furthermore; it is a difficult target to hit and accordingly

is not so likely to be brought down by hostile fire。  There

is another point in its favour。  The experience of the war

has proved that the numerically inferior enemy prefers to

carry out his naval operations under the cover of the mist

and haze which settle upon the water; and yet are of

sufficient depth to conceal his identity and composition。

Such mists as a rule comprise a relatively thin bank of

low…lying vapour; which while enveloping the surface of the

water in an impenetrable pall; yet permits the mast…heads

of the vessels to stand out clearly; although they cannot

be detected from the water…level or even from the control

and fighting tops of a warship。  A scouting waterplane;

however; is able to observe them and note their movement;

and accordingly can collect useful information concerning

the apparent composition of the hidden force; the course it

is following; its travelling speed; and so forth; which it

can convey immediately to its friends。



The aeroplane has established its value in another manner。

Coal…burning vessels when moving at any pronounced speed

invariably throw off large quantities of smoke; which may

be detected easily from above; even when the vessels

themselves are completely hidden in the mist。  It was this

circumstance which revealed the presence of the British

squadron in the affair of the Bight of Heligoland。



The German airman on patrol duty from the adjacent base on

the island of Heligoland detected the presence of this

smoke; above the low…lying bank of fog; although there were

no other visible signs of any vessels。  Fully cognisant of

the fact that the German Fleet was at anchor in a safe place

he naturally divined that the smoke proceeded from a hostile

squadron; evidently bent upon a raid。  He returned to his

headquarters; conveyed the intelligence he had collected to

his superior officers; upon receipt of which a German cruiser

squadron was sent out and engaged the British vessels to its

own discomfiture。  But for the airman's vigilance and smartness

there is no doubt that the British squadron would have

accomplished a great coup。



This incident; however; served to reveal that the aerial scout is

prone to suffer from over…keenness and to collect only a partial

amount of information。  Upon this occasion the German watchman

detected the presence of the British torpedo…boat and light

cruiser force。  Had he continued his investigations and made a

wider sweep he would have discovered the proximity of the British

battle…cruiser squadron which routed the German force; the latter

having acted on incomplete information。



While the low…lying sea…fog is the navigator's worst enemy; it is

the airman's greatest friend and protection。  It not only

preserves him against visual discovery from below; but is an

excellent insulator of sound; so that his whereabouts is not

betrayed by the noise of his motor。  It is of in calculable value

in another way。  When a fog prevails the sea is generally as


smooth as the pro verbial mirror; enabling the waterplanes to be

brought up under cover to a suitable point from which they may be

dispatched。  Upon their release by climbing to a height of a few

hundred feet the airmen are able to reach a clear atmosphere;

where by means of the compass it is possible to advance in

approximately the desired direction; safe from discovery from

below owing to the fog。  If they are 〃spotted〃 they can dive into

its friendly depths; complete their work; and make for the parent

ship。



Low…lying sea…fogs are favourable to aerial raids provided the

scout is able to catch sight of the upper parts of landmarks to

enable him to be sure of the correctness of his line of flight…in

cases where the distance is very short compass direction is

sufficiently reliable…because the bank of vapour not only

constitutes a perfect screen; but serves as a blanket to the

motor exhaust; if not completely; at least sufficiently to

mislead those below。  Fogs; as every mariner will testify; play

strange tricks with the transmission of sound。  Hence; although

those on the vessels below might detect a slight hum; it might

possibly be so faint as to convey the impression that the aviator

was miles away; when; as a matter of fact; he was directly

overhead。  This confusion arising from sound aberration is a

useful protection in itself; as it tends to lure a naval force

lying in or moving through the fog into a false sense of

security。



The development of the submarine revealed the incontrovertible

fact that this arm would play a prominent part in future

operations upon the water:  a presage which has been adequately

fulfilled during the present conflict。  The instinct of

self…preservation at once provoked a discussion of the most

effective ways and means of disguising its whereabouts when it

travels submerged。  To this end the German naval authorities

conducted a series of elaborate and interesting experiments off

the island of Heligoland。  As is well known; when one is directly

above a stretch of shallow water; the bottom of the latter can be

seen quite distinctly。  Consequentiy; it was decided to employ 

aerial craft as detectives。  Both the aeroplane and the dirigible

took part in these experiments; being flown at varying heights;

while the submarine was maneouvred at different depths immediately

below。  The sum of these investigations proved conclusively that

a submarine may be detected from aloft when moving at a depth of

from 30 to 40 feet。  The outline of the submerged craft is

certainly somewhat blurred; but nevertheless it is sufficiently

distinct to enable its identity to be determined really against

the background or bottom of the sea。  To combat this detection

from an aerial position it will be necessary inter alia to evolve

a more harmonious or protective colour…scheme for the submarine。

Their investigations were responsible for the inauguration of the

elaborate German aerial patrol of harbours; the base for such

aerial operations being established upon the island of

Heligoland。



So far the stern test of war as applied to the science of

aeronautics has emphasised the fact that as a naval unit the

dirigible is a complete failure。  Whether experience will bring

about a modification of these views time alone will show; but it

is certain that existing principles of design will have to

undergo a radical revision to achieve any notable results。  The

aeroplane alone has proved successful in this domain; and it is

upon this type of aerial craft that dependence will have to be

placed。







CHAPTER XIX

THE NAVIES of THE AIR



Less than three years ago the momentous and spectacular race

among the Powers of Europe for the supremacy of the air began。  

At first the struggle was confined to two rivalsFrance and

Germanybut as time progressed and the importance of aerial

fleets was recognised; other nations; notably Great Britain;

entered the field。



Germany obtained an advantage。  Experiment and research were

taken up at a point which had been reached by French effort;

further experiments and researches were carried out in German

circles with secret and feverish haste; with the result that

within a short time a pronounced degree of efficiency according

to German ideals had been attained。  The degree of perfection

achieved was not regarded with mere academic interest; it marked

the parting of the ways: the point where scientific endeavour com

manded practical appreciation by turning the success of the

laboratory and aerodrome into the channel of commercial

manufacture。  In other words; systematic and wholesale production

was undertaken upon an extensive scale。  The component parts were

standardised and arrangements were completed with various

establishments possessed of the most suitable machinery to

perfect a programme for turning out aeronautical require

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