The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1918-01-05

fire, II may be rain Of shrapnel seek.
ing the same object or of percussion
shells endeavoring to blow up the wind
lass below and set the big bag adrift
In wind blowing across the German
lines. Naturally, every precaution in
the way of protecting airmen and anti
aircraft guns are on hand, but even at
that constant vigilance is essential.
Weather Makes Trouble.
Weather conditions also bring diff
culties, though not so great as might
be expected from q distance. Flying
In thunderstorms Is, Of course, danger
Gus because Of the lightning. Rain
storms appreciably add to the weight
Of the balloon and thereby decrease its
ascending power, while heavy winds
put strain on the cable and consider
able wear and tear on the envelope.
Clouds are bothersome as a mask for
lurking airmen, and fogs, If regular
through the atmosphere, render obser-
walton very difficult. Nevertheless, so
essential is the news gathered by bal
loonists that they are sent up in all
sorts and kinds Of weather.
One of the most difficult and yet es-
sential parts Of the work is that Of
concealing the balloon 'beds," espe-
cially from enemy airmen who like to
hunt out the big envelopes when they
are lying still on the ground. Beds"
in the lea Of q hill which obstructs
NJ Ay~a IN hn oh
ows Of nearby wood offer a prelimi-
nary disguise, but beyond that "camou-
fleurs" are needed to exercise their
highest skill.
Plans for all this work are now pro-
crossing at q gratifying rate. The
American balloon program has been
aided by the best and latest develop
ments abroad, while manufacture pre-
sents but a few difficulties, owing to
the resources Of the big American rub
Der companies. The great need, as
with all the air program, is for men
Of the type and ability needed, men
for officers commissions as observers
and men for the enlisted squadrons to
do the delicate mechanical work neceS-
sary. The balloon section Of the Sig
nal corps at Washington has already
handled hundreds of letter applica
tions and is ready to furnish the fullest
details so that by next spring in France
may be increased to a size cOmmen-
surate with the pressing needs Of the
American army there.
Requirements for Service.
Men who are being selected as OBJ
servers, and who will all be commits
stoned as officers, should have physical
endurance, acute vision, an apprecia-
tiOn of distances and localities, and,
above all a sense of responsibility and
in keeping with the i'm
portance of the work assigned to them.
They may be somewhat older than avi-
ators-preferably from twenty-five to
thirty y-ive-and of somewhat less Sc
we're physical requirements. A special
training is given in winds military OBJ
servation meteorology and ballooning
before a cadet is given his officers
commission and his post above the
trenches in France in order that the
high standards prevailing throughout
the air service generally may be up
held.
For the enlisted men who will form
the squadrons, gas-works employees,
rope riggers, cordage workers and
are especially filter. The
Of men trained through their
civilian occupations to do this delicate
and highly specialized work is limited,
indeed, and the difficulty Of establish
ing contact with them is great. New
the forces are being brought ,
together with gratifying rapidity and
give every promise of becoming an eff
cient part Of the air establishment !
which is to help the allies blind the
German forces in France.