South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-16
lBN a Captain in the AYiation Corpsl


Hardly train moves within five miles back Of the
ierman trenches a squadron up
eief, digging begun a series Of emplace
a pair of eyes steadily watching from
observation balloons just behind the allied front
axes notice of it, Every movement every activity, is
until schedule of the usual enemy routine
is built up and the amount of motion known.
Any departure from this schedule suspicious. A
train running late with cars than usual. men
in the trenches being relieved frequently.
roads or emplacements being built earnestly. give
the first hint that Fritz" across the line. is to
something.
keen balloonist any of these changes and at
once telephones down the ground, An train
O. six cars passed -- 1910" a mile farther
down the line another pair of eyes reports Large
convoy moving up to front sO-and-so." Still
little farther down suspicious circumstance
noted the general stan down below, assembling
All these straws. foresees the beginning big
fensive across the line Counter measures taken.
directed. conveys and trenches smashed
and the enemy's plans thrown askew.
Possibly however the offensive is to come from the
baoonists own side. The observer ascends fun
knowledge OF all the details of action. emboIdened
probably up much nearer the German lines
than usual in belief that the enemys artillery will
pc of. The opening bonbardment is time
Of ceaseless and vital work. spottng shot by shot
watching the enemy batteries TO open moving
The barrage fire back and forth with the advance of
the troops. An here may send the steel wall
into the observers troops cost of lives
later by failure make complete demolition of the
enemy's defense.
Hostile airpIane overhead" is apt to break in
through the telephone wire any Ger
man aviator. adventurous than his fellows, is
swooping down. perhaps under protecting cloud. in
attempt TO put out the ever Watchful eyes. The
observer ready his parachute. the machine
on the ground below click off rain Of lead the
yader. the windlass start bringing the big
envelope . ground with all possible speed. Perhaps
the driven off, perhaps the balloon strick
IN into flames the baloonist forced parachute
to- the ground In either case is all part
days work which adds adventure and romance 10
the responsible work done by the balloOnist.
such is oriefly-very briefy-the duty and
or the balloon observer. Calm, patient watchful
sNays long cable Hours pass. perhaps. but
finally as inevitably fate. the reward comes.
single flesh a slight movement the line.
another tiny OF the German eage reveals itself
Cor the allied artillerymen beneath.
The vital Importance and development OF this work
has hardly yet been suspected in this country over
there balloon observation has become science which
while perhaps spectacular than airplane Obserya-
lion il none essential The balOonist, riding
steadily for hours a a time with the German lines
spread out before MIN. and in direct telephone
munication with the ground. with his batteries
with other balloons, amasses maze OF details and
accurate knowledge which his more vicartous and
lonzer-winged air brother not hope o
The first use OF balloons in warfare dates way back
e. The Napoleonic wars. when France employed them
against Austria. so revolutionary was the procedure
however. that all cuptured observers treated
the euraged Austrlans- During the Civil war
In this country observers looked
the Potomac from WASHINGTON at the Confed
crates. gained very valuable information though
very precarious circumstance France further
developed in the OF 1870 against Ger
many vi 10 up a much ambitious
sale IN her zepPeins. The science fell upon slack