Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-11

meter. 1t must be so perfectly made
that this great block OF glass. com
bined OF different clements. cast, n
sharp clear image OF the scene below
on every part OF tho Photographic
plate
Most of the aeroplane cameras arc
smaller in size than this, on account
or the difficulty in handling tho big
plates. These smaller cameras take
pictures OF such q sharpness that thew
may be enlarged without loss Of de-,
tail. The weight is also a factor. 1t
Is said that some OF the larger
cameras weigh as much as 200 pounds.
rms limits considerably the height to
when INC aeroplanc can rise, and OK
poses the observer to greater danger
from shell fire. Specially constructed
aeropianes are being used to carry
theso Dig cameras. equipped with de-
vices to eliminate vibration
Many Pictures Taken DuIIy.
An army photographer may make
800 pictures in a single aeroplane
hiSnt' ana there are hundreds Of
PHOTOGRAPHERS attached to the aero
pane divisions OF each army Thus
thousands OF pictures are brought back
daily from over the encmy's lines.
These pictures. along with what tho
observer sees through his field glasses.
arc the real basis for military opera
lions
Many positivcs arc made from each
the 'front.'. not only arc such photo-
graphs given to general officers and
stan members, but they go to rcri-
mental commanders, and even to lower
officers The officers In the hshting
line thus get clear idea Of Tho cor
ditions opposite their positions. Nv a
study or the photographs, the star at
tcmpts to determine what 'moyemcpt.
the enemy has under way. and mill
tarys maps are corrected from day to
day.
The Signal Corps of the American
army faces an unusually difficult prob
lem in war photography in LAYING TIA
plans for possible defense of Ameri-
can territory. This is due to the lack
ot IniIitary maps OF American soil II
10 comparatively easy for star Of
ncer who has a large scale and de,
tailed military map OF given region
20 take number OF photographs Of
that region and bring the situation un
10 oa'e from day to day. Lacking the
large scale military man, the nrohIen,
becomes more difficult. In such case.
inc map must literally be drawn from
Photographic data. 1t is said that our
oIsh"i corps and engineer officers,
recognizing this problem. have worked
utn most eneient system for map
ping new region entirely from aero
plane photographs. Details of this
system are. OF course. not available
oul IL III SAID taat new apparatus of
sic"l value mas been invented and con-
structed by American experts.
one result OF the use of wholcsal.
photography has been to INTRODUCES the
new element OF deceptive scenery and
dummy gun positions into warfare.
Such false positions arc built exactly
10 resemble real gun cmplacemcnts II
IL said that In France to-day out of
four objects that are apparently con-
cealed batteries recorded by the
camera. only one contains real gun.
Inc others nre set up especially for
the beneht OF enemy Photographers.
mo camera Is only one instrument
or modern warfare in which a highly
perfected optical glass is the essential
factor. Field glasses and telescopio
rine sights are other common ex-
amples. The Germans had a great SUI
periority in these instruments in tho
beginning of the war. but the allies
| Quickly put themselves on an equal
| footing.
The remarkable performance OF long
range naval guns is based on optical
Instruments OF beautiful delicacy ana
precision. Naval range finders are
| sometimes built more than thirty feet
| long. Periscopcs as used both on land
and sea are based on the use OF high
| grade GLASS, though the need for great
| perfection In these instruments ia NOT
| SO pressing
1t is evident that in developing pro-
ccsses for making our own optical
glass OF the highest quality. we have
taken an important step toward inde-
pendent military efficiency.