The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-26

rarely over six metres a second, a We
loctty which the round balloon will
stand.
One balloon section will be sufficient
Tor every two adjacent army corps, be-
cause a single balloon can readily over
look the field occupied by them.
The anchored balloon was first used
in 1892 at Fleurus, but Napoleon Bona
parte abolished the balloon section, and
from that time until recently the bal
loon received little attention. Never
theless, there is hardly another war
implement that has so thoroughly and
rapidly proven it's usefulness in late
years as this one.
The use of the balloon in the field
requires specially trained officers and
men. Observers especially require
much previous experience and practice
in observing. In the course of instruc-
ton in Europe the first two weeks OF
constant balloon ascents are designed
to accustom the observer to the mo-
ton of the balloon, and that time is
found to be sufficient. Then follows a
course of two more weeks in actual OBJ
serving. to enable the observer to dis
tinguish quickly on the march, at rest
and in battle, to discover the troops in
a landscape, and finally to detect their
exact military situation. This course
comprises orientation on the map, OBJ
servation and reporting the results,
each of which has its peculiar difficult
ties to the uninitiated,
Orientation, that is, placing the map
so that 1t has relatively the same po-
sition as the landscape, is a very diff
cult matter, because the earth's SUR
face below appears perfectly fiat be-
yond a certain hight in ascending, and
the great landmarks such as nights
IAsN Al n
particularly difficult to locate places by
the general map drawn to small scale,
say to 100000, as in the usual war
chart used by general officers for max
ing their dispositions. The rule,
therefore, is to use the general chart
for the general situation before battle,
and special charts, on a larger scale
after the battle opens. The maps are
fastened to board, which also has a
compass attached, so that the observer
can use his hands for writing, tele-
phoning or handling his field glass.
The orientation completed, the OBJ
server proceeds to the next point, that
is, actual observing. 1t has been found
by experience that with a good field
glass an observer can see distinctly
for a distance of ten miles; that is,
the different arms may be readily dis
tinguished, but bright sunlight, hazy
minish this distance.
The advantage of the balloon is thus
at once evident. The observer can see
what is taking place ten miles in front
Of the commanding general and can
send the information to him by tele-
phone in a few minutes. Cavalry
scouts would require at least an hour
and a half to bring it in to him on
horseback. He has therefore gained
that much time. This tremendous ad-
vantage was made apparent at the ma
neuvers near Buzias, where, in conse-
quence of balloon reports the corps re-
serve was moved from one wing of the
army to the other, and arrived in time
to take part in the battle, feat
which would have been impossible had
the general waited for the reports of
his cavalry.
To attain perfection in observation
constant practice is required, and to
study the appearance of troops of the
different arms under all conditions liza
BILE to arise in war full advantage is
taken in Europe of the opportunities
afforded by the grand maneuvers of
the armies.
The last point in the course of in
struction is to teach the officers what
he ought to report. The commanding
general is mainly DESTROYS of knowing
in how many columns the enemy ad-
vances, on what roads and what is
their composition, consequently this is
the observers first duty. He orients
his map and points his glasses in the
direction of the enemy. When he finds
his columns, he marks the points
reached by the head of each, then also
the rear of each, as data to determine
their strength. Finally, he notes the
artillery assigned to each column. as
indicating the enemys purpose. After
recording the time he sends in his first
report.
The rest of the field is then examined.
especially to locate the enemys caval
ry. After that the changes of position
are reported at regular intervals, say
every half hour. Details become more
important as the two forces come into
closer contact.
The number OF officers required to be
instructed in this branch is regarded in
Europe to be at least two for every
army corps,