The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-09-11

numbered with its range The obserya-
ton officer, or o. o., as he is called
telephones to the battery the lumber
and range Of the object to be fired at,
and the number Of rounds 10 be fired.
Now these o. O's can only observe
ard direct the fire upon objects which
,hcv can actually see, therefore it is
up to the aeroplanes to reconnoter and
search out enemy guns, moving troops,
rcdoubtS trenches, etc, which are OBJ
Scured from the sight Of the obServa-
ton officer. To do this it is necessary
in many instances to fly over and be-
hind the enemy lines.
Now the question arises: Does the
aeroplane have to return TO the battery
with this information, or are there WAYS
in which il can Communicate the in
tclliVcncc 10 the battery, while in
flight? Sometimes, IL the acroplane is
near the battery and it observes fire
objective, the information is written
in code on a slip Of paper and then
enclosed in a small metal tube Swoop-
ing low, the aeroplane drops this tube
in the near vicinity of the battery,
where it can be readily secured nv one
OF the artlllcrymen. Each battery has
a code prearranged with i,S air oh
server, and there are men detailed 10
watch every move " the observing
plane, through powerful field glasses
or telescopes Signals are sent by the
aeroplne in its flight NoyementS OF
the plane-a spiral in the air looping
the loop" describing the figure eight,
and other eccentric maneuyers may all
convey instructions, as per prearranged
code for the battery to open fire on
the enemy objective
Frequently information is transmit
ted through wireless apparatus, with
which nearly all seroplane' are
eq, ped.
Another and very commonly used
method OF conveying information IS by
bursts Of fire from the machine gun
which the airman carries The Morse
telegraph code is used and the OBJ
server in the aeroplane makes the dots
/ aud da'he' by firing his machines gun
IN certain way.
Aeroplane Raids.
The aeroplanc Is also very useful for
raldlug muntion plants, arSenals, am
munliion dumps railroads, supply
trains, and moving bodies Of troops,
but, as stated before. these are very
difficult to hit, unless the aeroplane
flies very low, and 10 doing so it ineurs
great risk
The practical uses Of the aeroplanc
therefore may he rated in value as
follows:
First-Artillery observation
Second-Scouting.
Third-Bombing raids
| The aeroplane has eliminated the
surprise attacks, flank movements, and
strategy OF former wars, Now mod
ern warfare means digging and living
in bitches, hammering with artillery
trying TO smash the other fellow
Armies may he compared to two heavy
weights in the ring, trying to wear each
other down by showering blows on the
body all the fine foot work and hi,
and get away" methods being elimin-
ated The two armies on the western
front are really nothing hut two grind.
stones rubbing together. The one which
wears away first will he the van.
quished. II the allies can secur, and
maintain the supremacy Of the air ant
so blind the enemy artillery, the issu,
OF The war will never be in doubt Bu
il will be slow, tedious, and costly
process
There are several ways Of distin
gushing the enemy aeroplanes from
your own | will give the two matt
ones that are ordinarily used by th'
soldier II the plane is flying low
enough Il Is a simple matter, becaus,
the ensuyp planes have tyo blacl