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Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War Frederick A. Talbot

PREFACE
Ever since the earliest days of the great conquest of the air, first by the
dirigible balloon and then by the aeroplane, their use in time of war has
been a fruitful theme for discussion. But their arrival was of too recent
a date, their many utilities too unexplored to provide anything other
than theories, many obviously untenable, others avowedly
problematical.
Yet the part airships have played in the Greatest War has come as a
surprise even to their most convinced advocates. For every expectation
shattered, they have shown a more than compensating possibility of

usefulness.
In this volume an endeavour has been made to record their
achievements, under the stern test of trial, as an axiom of war, and to
explain, in untechnical language, the many services to which they have
been and may be applied.
In the preparation of the work I have received assistance from many
sources--British, French, Russian and German--from official reports
and from men who have played a part in the War in the Air. The
information concerning German military aircraft has been obtained
from Government documents, most of which were placed at my
disposal before the outbreak of war.
The use of aircraft has changed the whole art and science of warfare.
With its disabilities well in hand, with its strength but half revealed, the
aerial service has revolutionised strategy and shorn the unexpected
attack of half its terrors. The Fourth Arm is now an invaluable part of
the complex military machine.
F. A. TALBOT.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
The introduction of aircraft into military operations II. The military
uses of the captive balloon III. Germany's rise to military airship
supremacy IV. Airships of war V. Germany's aerial dreadnought fleet
VI. The military value of Germany's aerial fleet VII. Aeroplanes of war
VIII. Scouting from the skies IX. The airman and artillery X.
Bomb-throwing from air-craft XI. Armoured aeroplanes XII. Battles in
the air XIII. Tricks and ruses to baffle the airman XIV. Anti-aircraft
guns. Mobile weapons XV. Anti-aircraft guns. Immobile weapons XVI.

Mining the air XVII. Wireless in aviation XVIII. Aircraft and naval
operations XIX. The navies of the air

CHAPTER I
THE INTRODUCTION OF AIRCRAFT INTO MILITARY
OPERATIONS
It is a curious circumstance that an invention, which is hailed as being
one of the greatest achievements ever recorded in the march of
civilisation, should be devoted essentially to the maiming of humanity
and the destruction of property. In no other trend of human endeavour
is this factor so potently demonstrated as in connection with Man's
Conquest of the Air.
The dogged struggle against the blind forces of Nature was waged
tenaciously and perseveringly for centuries. But the measure of success
recorded from time to time was so disappointing as to convey the
impression, except in a limited circle, that the problem was impossible
of solution. In the meantime wondrous changes had taken place in the
methods of transportation by land and sea. The steam and electric
railway, steam propulsion of vessels, and mechanical movement along
the highroads had been evolved and advanced to a high standard of
perfection, to the untold advantage of the community. Consequently it
was argued, if only a system of travel along the aerial highways could
be established, then all other methods of mechanical transportation
would be rendered, if not entirely obsolete, at least antiquated.
At last man triumphed over Nature--at least to such a degree as to
inspire the confidence of the world at large, and to bring aerial travel
and transportation within range of realisation. But what has been the
result? The discovery is not devoted to the interests of peace and
economic development, but to extermination and destruction.
At the same time this development may be explained. The airship and
aeroplane in the present stage of evolution possess no economic value.

True, cross-country cruises by airship have