South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-16

When the American troops are preparing 20 so
over the top an unusually large number balloons
"a camps in order not betray what about
place At the appointed moment they viii take the
air and divide up every detail the battle
them Some viii record the heayy-artilery FIRE, shot
10y shot; win TO it that the work OF desnol
behind the enemys lines is effective; others Will
guard against any reinforcements or traps
As the troops 80 they win check closely the
batteries. the shifting Of their infantry
the assembling OF supplies AS the American forces
adv balloons will forward also IN unison
with them along routes previously prepared. Obser-
vations for the barrase VIII be sent down repeatedly
that may back and forth with the men
details sent that the enemy's guns setting
the destructive counter barrage may be suenced-
To this the American ballOOnist must know
every detail OF enemy's opposite him, a
mistake on his part may the lives Of Of
the lines without being spotted
ai man the number and size OF the pieces and their
objective noted, coUnterfre preparations made
against IT, No troops without being fully known.
numbers as well routes-difficult work all or it
the German has many willy devices for stmulattDg
gun fire and camaouGag1ng movements
And the wiz without dangDr
difficulties. though the chances Of fatal outcome
not large If 1t IS not swoop4ng a1rnan bent or
setting big gas bas FIRE, 1t may De a rain Of
shrapnel seeking the same object or Of percussion
shells endeavor1ng 20 blow up the w1ndass below and
SCI the big bag adTift in wind blowing across the
German lines Naturally, every precauton in me
OF protecting airmen and ant-aircraft gums
hand that constant vigilance IS sSsssuthi
weather conditions also bring dfncuIti-z rl,ou<h
frying n thunderstorms OF dangerous be
.aI,ee NJ the Ightning Rainstorms appreciabiy add
weight of the balloon and thereby decrease is
ascending power while heavy winds put strain o.
the cable and considerable wear and tear tho en-
veIope. Clouds bothersOrne mask for furz-
ng airmen. and fogs. II regular through the atulos-
phere render observation very difficult Neve-theie
is the gathered ~ 5allOOnsts that
they are sent I'D all and Kinds Of weather.
the most difficult and get essential parts Of
the work is that Of conceang the balloon beds"
pecially enemy airnen who like 70 hunt out me
Dig envelopes when they lying still the ground
Beds" IN lea Of a hin which obstructs artillery
ire or in the deceptive shadows OF nearby wood
offer preliminary disguise but beyond that canon
neurs" needed exercise their hiEhest ss1lL
Plans all this work progressing ~
gratifying The American balloon program has
been aided by the best and latest developments
abroad while manufacture presents but a few difrcu
ties owing 10 the resources OF the big American rub
Der companies. The great need. with All the air
program OF the type and ability needed.
men for officers commissions Observers and men
for enlisted squadrons do the delicate mechan
zeal work necessary. The balloon section or the SIr
nal corps "a washington has already handled huu-
dreds letter applications and ready 20 furnish the
fullest details oy spring the American bal
loon force already in France may be- increased 90
size commensurate with the pressing needs OF the
American army thers