The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-05-22 00:00:00

MILITARY BALLOONING.

Captain Elsdaile, R.E., who was in charge of the, balloon-
ing pasty at the Easter Review at Brighton, says, in his re-
port which has just been published :
"In accordance with authority received by tele-
gram from the War Office on Thursday, March 20,
the ballooning party, consisting of two officers and
nine non-commissioned officers and sappers, pro-
ceeded to Brighton with two balloons and all neces-
sary equipment. The balloon Crusader, containing
25,000 cubic feet, was inflated with carburetted
hydrogen obtained from the Lewes Gas Works
early on the morning of the review, and conveyed in
safety across a difficult piece of ground to the
position under the brow of the hill occupied
by the outposts of the Lewes force, indicated
by the general officer commanding the force.: This
position was reached about ten a.m., the distance
traversed being about two miles and a half, including
the crossing of a tidal river and railway, with tele-
graph wires, &c., adjoining, besides enclosures and
other obstacles. Two small balloons, containing
1,500 feet of gas each, accompanied the large one as a
reseive supply of gas. On the signal gun announcing
the commencement of the action the balloon, in
accordance with instructions, was immediately sent up
about 1,100 feet. Captain Norton, Aide-Camp, accom-
panied me in the car. We were provided with maps of
the ground on which it was proposed to make rough
sketches of the enemy's dispositions for the informa-
tion of the general officer commanding Lewes force.
But, owing to the prevailing fog and mist we found
that at no elevation could a sufficiently good view be
procured to enable us to forward any useful informa-
tion. While we were occupied at this elevation Captain
Templar succeeded in moving the waggon below, with
the balloon attached, at a very rapid pace through
the intervals between the advancing battalions, to a
forward postion immediately behind the first line. Had
the weather been only fairly fine the whole of the
operations of both sides would have been clearly
visible; but, in addition to the haziness of the atmo-
sphere, the dense clouds of smoke arising from the
firing, as well as from the burning furze lit by the artil-
lery, prevented any good view from being obtained at
any elevation. Later in the day the weather cleared,
and then a most excellent view of every man and every
movement below was obtained. At the final march
past, the balloon, in accordance with instructions, went
past the saluting:point immediately in rear of the last
infantry volunteer battalion, with a squadron of the
Lancers closely following. No difficulty was experienced
in keeping the balloon on a steady course at an elevation
of about 2501 t. When the troops were dismissed the
waggon was retired at a gallop, with balloon attached,
mil as to clear the crowd, and returned to Lewes without
difficulty. Capt. Templar's conduct of the operations
for moving the whole equipment from place to place as
required was most successful throughout the day. I
remained in the car all day, up to and including the
march past. In summing up the results of the valuable
experience gained on this occasion, I would respectfully
submit for consideration that the following points
would appear to have been established :—A balloon,
in fairly favourable weather can be conveyed captive
over any ground accessible to infantry to the required
position for observation. It ean be moved from time
to time, as required in the course of the operations, to
any other suitable point. The loss of gas is trifling,
and can easily be replenished, if required, as was done
on this occasion with great facility, from a reserve
supply, which can be carried to any required point
with the utmost ease. Under more favourable circum-
stances of weather than obtained on this occasion, it
seems probable that valuable observations might from
time to time be made at all periods of the operations."