The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-12-29
SHARP AMERICAN EYES HIGH
IN SKY KEEPING CLOSE
AND CONSTANT WATCH ON
GERMAN TRENCHES "OVER
THERE"

illicS UdSh VI tiic HcIHld!l tIeHSuco,
or squadron Of men come up for
rnlief, or dig ing begun on a new
series Of erlp.acements but pair of
keen eyes, steadily watching from
great observation balloons just be-
hind the Allied front, takes notice of
it. Every movement, every activity,
is registered until schedule of the
usual enemy routine is built up and
the average, amount Of motion
known. Any departure from this
schedule is suspicious. A train run
ming late or with more cars than u.s.
ual, men in the trenches being re-
lieved too frequently, new roads or
emplacements being built too ear
nestly give the first hint that
"Fritz", across the line is up to
something.
A keen ballonist notes any of
these changes, and at once tele-
phones down to the ground, "An ex-
ira train of six cars passed.
at 1O:4O." Half mile farther down
the line another pair Of eyes reports,
Large convoy moving up to front,
range so-and-so." Still little far
ther down another suspicious circum-
stance is noted, until the General
Staff down below, assembling all
these straws, foresees the beginning
of big offensive across the line.
Counter measures are taken, batter
les directed, conveys and trenches
smashed up, and the enemy's plans
thrown askew.
Offensive on "Other Side'.
POSSIBLY, however, the offensive is
to come from the balloonist's own
side. The observer ascends with full
knowledge of all the details of ac-
ton, emboldened, probably, to- move
up much nearer the German lines
than usual, in the belief that the en-
emy's artillery will be driven aft.
The opening bombardment is a time
Of ceaseless and vital work, spotting
shot by shot, watching for new en-
emy batteries to open up, moving
the barrage fire back and forth with
the advance of the troops. Any er-
ror here may send the steel wall in
to the observers own troops or cost
scores of lives later by failure to
make a complete demolition of the
enemy's defense.
"Hostile airplane overhead" is apt
to break in through the telephone
wire at any moment. A German av-
iator, more adventurous than his fell
lows, is swooping down, perhaps un
der a protecting cloud in an attempt
to put out the ever-watchful eyes.
The observer makes ready his para
chute, the machine guns on the
ground below click eff q rain Of
lead at the invader, and the windlass
men start bringing the big envelope
to ground with all possible speed.
Perhaps the invader is driven off;
perhaps the balloon is stricken into
flames and the balloonest forced to
parachute to the ground In either
case it is all a part Of the days work
which adds adventure and romance
to the responsible work done by the
balloonist.
Such is briefly, very briefly-the
duty and work Of the balloon obser-
YER Calm, patient, ever watchful,
he rides far above the ground as the
great envelope sways on its long ca
BILE. Hours pass perhaps, but finally
as inevitably as fate, the reward
comes. A single flash, slight
across the line, and an
other tiny claw of the German eagle
reveals itself for the allied artillery
men beneath.
The vital Importance and develop