Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-09-27
ARTILLERY FIRE AT BALLOONS.
New Engines of War Brought Down AT
Long Range.

Long Range.
While Germany, France and the
United States are making great efforts
to perfect a war balloon that will bt
os real use in campaign, the artil-
lery Is trying to solve the problem OF
combating this new war engine. Some
interesting experiments of this nature
have recently been made.
In Austria valuable and instructive
tests, with good results, were made
with 4.7-inch guns against anchored
balloons; and in Germany at Danzie
similar experiments were made with
4-inch guns. The details Of the re-
suits have not been made public.
In Belgium, on the other hand, where
extensive firing tests were conducted
against anchored balloons, the data
are available. The trials took place al
the proving grounds at Brashaet, with
both field and siege guns, and are still
going on.
The firing is done with shrapnel
only. Old balloons of the balloon COM
pany are being used as targets. Their
diameter is about thirty-three feet
and they are sent up to height OF
about 1900 to 1850 feet.
In the firing with two 5.9-inchs ho-
witzers the balloon was about $500
yards from the guns and at an eleva-
tion of about 1,150 feet. The opening
range was $500 yards and the firing
was done with the aid Of observation
stations, located on one side Of the
vertical plane of fire, each Of these
stations being provided with an
azimuth instrument, "a graduated
horizontal circular plate, with sights
for obtaining the position Of the point
Of burst of the shrapnel in space with
reference to the target.)
At the third salvo, fired at 5000 yards
the range was found to be too great
and at the fourth salvo, fired at 4,600
yards, It was. found too short; conse-
quently the fifth salvo was fired at
4,SOO yards. The balloon was struck
forty-six times, two shots effectins
very serious damage.
In firing with four cast iron 4-inch
guns, model 1889, the range Of the first
battery salvo was $3.50 yards. Three
platoon salvos were then fired In rapid
succession at $3.50, 3,170 and $3.50
yards elevation, respectively. At the
second salvo, at 3,17O yards, the bal
loon was struck, and at the third II
began to sink. During its fall two
more battery salvos were fired, one
platoon firing at $3.50 yards, the other
at S,17O yards, finally two single shots
at $3.50 yards were fired.
The result showed that the balloon
had been hit 149 times. five hits being
found In the balloon body, two In the
gondola, and three had cut the an
choring ropes.
During the. present season the ex-
periments at Brashaet are to be con-
tinued against anchored balloons with
4-inch guns, model 1889, at ranges
from $3.50 to $3.50 yards.
At the same time special observa-
tions are to be made Of the firing from
balloons. Artillery officers are to
mount in kite and spherical balloons
conducted by military dirigible bal
looms, and follow from these points OF
observation the firing tests against
various targets in the field. The re-
suits Of the observations are to be re-
ported by means Of telephone on the
ladder to the officer directing the mr.
ing tests. .. ... Ia. a..
In spite Of the fact that the balloon
at Santiago gave little satisfaction to
the troops on the firing line, (who felt
that it merely indicated their position
to the enemy,) the military world is
engaged in studying the subject with
ever increasing energy, and as cover
ia increasingly utilized by troops, the
balloon (or some such methods OF op-
servation) constantly gains in Import
ance.-New York Sun.