Omaha daily bee., 1914-08-09
SUPREMACY OF AIR IN WAR
France First with Aeroplsne Fleet,
Germany with Dirigiblss.
ENGLAND AIMS AT BEST TYPE
Comparison of the Two styles of
Craft Indicates Advantages for
Either--offensivc and
Defensive Uses

ANetpkIlNiun ny Tue DuullG OF the NdANt /
of air craft in national defense has led
10 the development of an industry devoted /
to the supply of dirigibles and aeropianes.
Especially in France and Germany has
asronautics been stimulated IN this man
ner. France developed the first practical
dirigibles, but has until recently concen-
trated her energy chiefly upon aeroplanes.
with the result that at the present time
the French army is estimated to have
between 800 and 1000 aeroplanes in serv-
fee. These aeroplanes are moreover, of
types that represent the highest develop
ment in aeroplane design. on the other
hand. Germany. realizing the menace Of
this aerial force and the impossibility of
duplicating II, has recognized the fossil
billties of the dirigible and given liberal
support to the development of the ships |
OF Count Zeppelin and Major Won Parse |
val Great sums have been spent and
many lives have been lost but lie re-
ward has already come. The German
army now possesses a splendid fleet Of
twenty-five airships, representing the
highest development in airship design.
At the same time France has brought her
fleet of airships up to eighteen, and Ger
many has some 200 military aeroplanes,
with a large civilian reserve II has be.
come a race for the supremacy of the air
between two great powers whose capitals
lie within the radius of action OF air craft
from each other.
England Is Bchindhnnd.
England has recently Joined the race
for supremacy, and, apparently realizing
that 1t is too late TO overtake her con-
tinental rivals by the mere multiplying Of
units has directed every effort toward
the development of air craft superior In
design to the existing types Foreign ma
chimes have been purchased literally,
and an aerodynamic laboratory and an
experimental air craft factory have been
built. Englands future in aeronautics
is placed in the hands of an advisory
committee headed by Lord Rayleigh and
composed of distinguished scientists and
engineers The race then Is not only
between the factories, but also between
the laboratories The production of a
type of marked superiority will immedl-
atey make obsolete the aerial forces of
other powers.
Due to high cost of maintenance, some
danger and dependence upon weather
conditions, airships have not yet been
proved of great commercial value 1t
is true that thousands of passengers have
been carried by the Zeppens Of the
Delay company in Germany, but this pas
senger-carrying business so far has been
OF the nature of sightseeing trips up the
Rhine or around and over Berlin. There
is no more delightful way to see the
country. Provided with a good map, a
passenger can become acquainted with a
great area OF country in a few hours
time. The facility for observation leads
at once to the consideration pr the use
OF airships in time Of war.
Capacity of the Dirigible.
The dirigible. operating in GEAR weather
at an altitude of some 5000 feet, is fairly
safe from gun fire and yet not too high
for n trained observer to detect the move
ments OF large forces on the ground, gen.
eral features of Notifications, number and
type of ships in a harbor, presence or
absence of bridges and railroad tracks
The dirigible can stop its motors and
float slowly above ground II is desired TO
observe. The aeroplanc cannot perform
such service except by circling above
given area, thus reducing its fuel supply
and future usefulness. The great test in
military operations of the dirigibie will be
for long-dstance reconnaissance. In a
country whose probable enemies lie within
the radius of action of air craft dlrigibles
may be used at or before the opening Of
hostilities to pass over the enemy's from
tier to observe the mobilization Of troops,
their direction Of march and probable
destination. A dirigible unlike an aero
plane is fitted with wireless telegraph for
both sending and receiving messages, and
may keep in constant communication with
its base. The radius OF action In a calm
of large rigid airships may be 2.0O) miles.
and medium sized non-rigid ships, l.Ooo
miles. An aeroplane cannot be depended
on for more than 400 miles when an OBJ
server must be carried in addition to the
passenger A dirigible can save fuel by
drifting with the wind, and it is we'll
known that by selecting a suitable eleva-
ton favorable wind can very often be
found when the wind on the ground is
contrary.
Usefulness AT Mat.
The greatest usefulness OF the drigibe
win be at night. At the present time
aeroplanes canont be flown at night. The
drigble at night can travel close 10 the
ground without danger from gun fire and
can observe the extent end disposition u
camps.
For pure reconnaissance work an army
could use large rigid dirigibles for distant
scouting TO develop the enemy's principal
movements preceding the actual meeting
Due to its portability any expeditions
TITO the interior Of an enemy's country
or in the colonies would be best served
by non-rigid dirigibles. These ships are
easily Grated for shipment and can be in
flated I'm the field from bottled hydrogen
or a portable gas plant drawn by mo.
tor truck Large sheds are not necessary,
as the ship can be moored In the open TO
a post In good weather and Debated In a
violent storm. In cases where both rigid
and non-rigid airships might be used. tho
non-rigid ships might observe from a
safe altitude the progress OF a battle and
the effect OF artillery fire. Aeroplanes
would be used for transportation OF staff
officers. dispatch duty and scouting
within the limits of the battlefield. The
same functions at night would be per-
formed by the non-rigid dlrigihle.
In case of siege where the enemy has
possession OF great eXpanse OF sur
rounding country, communication with
The hegieaed fOTces could bc had nv