The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-09
KITE BALLOONS 4
/. GREAT FACTOR IN
MODERN WARFARE
(By a Captain Ia the Aviation
Corral

Hardly a train movss within
miles back of the German trenches,
or squadron Of men come up for
relief, or digging begun on a new
series of emplacements but q pair
Of keen eyes. steadily watching from
great observation balloons just be-
hind the Allied front takes notice
of it. Every movement, every ac-
tivity, is registered until sched-
ule Of the usual enemy routine Is
built up and the average amount of
motion known. Any departure from
this schedule il suspicious. A train
running late or with more cars than
usual, men in the trenches being re-
ieved too frequently, new roads or
emplacements being built too earn
estly, give the first hint that Fritz
across the line. is up to something.
A keen balloonist notes any of
these changes, and at once tele-
phones down to the ground, IAN ex-
ira train Of six cars passed - at
0:40." Half mile farther down
the line another pair of eyes reports,
Large convoy moving up to front,
range so-and-so." Still q little far
Their 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, bat
teries directed, conveys and trenches
smashed up, and the enemy's plans
thrown askew.
Possibly, however, the offensive is
to come from the ballonist'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 enemy's
artillery will be driven off. The
opening bombardment is a time of
ceaseless and vital work. spotting
shot ny shot, watching for new enc
my batteries to open up. moving the
barrage fire back and forth with the
advance Of the troops. Any error
here may send the steel wall into 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
aviator, more adventurous than his
fellows, Is swooping down, perhaps
under a protecting cloud, in an at
tempt to put out the ever watchful
eyes. The observer makes ready his
parachute, the machine guns on the
ground below click off 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 balloonist forced to
parachute to the ground. In either
case it is all a part of the days
work which adds adventure and ro-
nance to the responsible work done
by the balloonist
Such is. briefly-very briefly-the
duty and work of the balloon observ-
er. Calm, patient. ever watchful, he
rides far above the ground as the
great envelope sways on its long ca
BILE. Hours pass. perhaps, put final
ly. as inevitably at fate, the reward
comes. A single flash, slight
movement across the line; and slight
movement across the line, and anoth-
er tiny claw Of the German eagle re-
walls itself for the allied artillery1nen
beneath.