The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-03

looms, and kecn-facel men are being
trained for immediate service abroad.
Already the first American detach.
accompanying pictures, the vanguard
of a large American balloon force
which ultimately will be as complete
as any other branch Of the army.
Work Is Invaluable.
The work that this force will do will
be Invaluable. With the airrlane spot
tiers and photographers, it will complete
the Cast DIR service which it is expect
ed will blind the German army and
prepare the way for the artillery and
infantry to break up the German mil.
itary resistance. It's minute-by-minute
observations will head off all enemy
surprises and will at the same time
make it possible for American men and
munitions to secure the maximum of
destruction on the other side of No
Mans Land.
Few of us here realize that the big
envelopes commonly ascend as high as
4.500 feet and that they stay for hours
poised in mi(air to perform the re-
sponsible duties assigned them. Usu-
ally the ascent is made anywhere from
21h to AZ miles from the enemy's
front-line trenches, depending on the
power of his artillery, the direction Of
the wind, and the activity of the sa-
lent. In any case the observer has a
circle Of vision Of about eight miles,
and is able to pierce far back into the
eHemy's lines. The most detailed and
up-to-the-minute maps, the finest kind
Of field glasses, and instant commune
cation with the ground make the bal
oonist q master Of everything spread
put before his gaze.
When the American troops are pre-.
pairing to 90 "over the top" an unusu.
lily large number Of balloons will be
concentrated as secretly as possible in
masked camps in order not to betray
what is about to take place. At the
appointed moment they will take the
air and divide up every detail Of the
battle amongst them. Some will re.
cord the heavy-artillery fire, shot by
shot; others will see to 1t that the work
Of demolition behind the enemy's lines
is effective; others will guard against
any re.enforcements or traps.
Must Know Enemy Country.
As the troops 60 over they will check
closely the German batteries the shift
ing of their infantry, and the assem-
bling of supplies. AS the American
forces advance the balloons will move
forward also in unison with them along
routes previously prepared. Observa'
lions for the barrage will be sent down
repeatedly, so that it may move back
and forth with the men and details
sent 50 that the enemy's guns setting
up the destructive counter barrage
may be silenced.
To do this the American balloonist
must know every detail Of the enemy's
land opposite him, for mistake on
his part may cost the lives Of scores
Of men below. No new battery should
open up across the lines without its
location being spotted on the detail
map, the number and size Of the pieces
md their objective noted, and counter
fire preparations made against it. No
new troops should move into the en-.
envy trenches without being fully
known, numbers as we'll as routes
difficult work all of it-for the German
has many willy devices for Stimulating
gunflre and camou1aging movements
And the work also will not be with.
out danger and difficulties, though the
chances of a fatal outcome are not