Evening star., 1935-04-28

proper, then thunderstorms or hail
storms will result.
1T shouldn't seem strange then that
the aerologist is ever on the alert for
falling clouds. On his heavenly journey
he also is very much interested in
whether the air is stratified. In other
words, whether it is formed in fairly
definite layers like strata of rocks on
a hillside. If such layers are on hand
their beauty is unlike anything else in
natures scheme Of things. Flmy,
foamy. hay. milky, ewel-like-these
are the adjectives that first come to
mind in an attempt to describe
stratified clouds II you're flying above
one Of these layers it looks like a
cleaning white field of virgin snow,
and as level as prairie field How
ever. far more important than this
the more stratified the air on an early
morning flight, or indeed, at any other
time, usually means the less likeli-
hood of thunderstorms and other
violent outbursts in the heavens.
Then. too, the experienced aerial OBJ
server also watches carefully for all
changes in the size, shape and direc-
tions of flow Of cloud formations Of
all sorts-notably at high attitudes.
This is the best way of studying Just
what is going on up here-at first
range. All this probably will be of
vital concern to aviation interests six
to eight hours hence.
In the Winter the sky watchers
study and record the attitudes at which
ice forms on the plane, noting particu-
larly the type of ice-whether white
and soft or clear and hard. The latter
is the most dangerous, for it will keep
on building up and very soon might
get too heavy for the planes safety
and easy maneuverability, and force
a landing. The other type of ice
formation tends TO blow of, melt, or
be dissipated by the vibration and
bouncing about of the plane under the
terrific buffeting by strong winds"
A THOUGH the advent Of aviation
has served to emphasize its in
luence on naval operations the
weather factor has to be considered
in many phases Of naval strategy and
tactics. Thus, visibility often limits
the range at which guns open IRE and
affects scouting operations and the
disposition Of the feet. The upper
winds and the density Of the air in
the higher levels Of the atmosphere
enter into ballistic computations be-
cause of their tremendous effect upon
the motion of projectile in its fight
to the target.
Even in time Of peace considerable
use Can be made of weather forecasts
in planning the operations Of the
various forces of the feet. Thus fore
casts of unfavorable weather condi-
tions for conducting certain maneuvers
can result in considerable economy by
avoiding the useless expenditure Of
fuel alone.
Yet if we scan the pages of naval
history We still find that feet COM
manders have often failed to con-
slider the Importance of the weather
factor in formulating and executing
their plans of battle. Further study
reveals that the weather has exerted
a profound influence on the outcome
of many famous engagements which
have influenced the history of the
world. To cite few examples:
Back in the ancient days Of galley
warfare-at the battle of Salamis in
480 BC.-we learn that 400 Persian
ships were destroyed by a gale shortly
after the battle and many more by
a thunderstorm after the first day.
Thus 1t was lucky gale rather than
a display of strategical or tactical
genius on the part of the victorious
Greek admiral which brought victory
to his side.
In the days of sail we find again
that victory has usually gone to the
side which had the weather gauge.
The defeat of the Spanish Armada
in 1888 and the battle of Trafalgar
in 1905 are good examples
Although these galleys and sailing
ships were much more affected by the
weather elements than modern men
history Of the World War to prove
that weather is still factor Of prime
importance. In the battle of Jutland
the effectiveness of the opposing fleets
was greatly reduced by the fog and
mist which prevailed. Likewise the
campaign at the Dardanelles has been
recorded as a glaring example Of the
failure Of the allies to consider even
the normal Chronological conditions
in the areas of operations, We md
that the lack of water which could
have been expected in the dry season
was serious handicap to the fight
ing forces. But when we read that
a severe blizzard caused the death
or incapacitation Of as many men as
the fiercest battles Of the campaign,
the importance Of the weather ele-
ment in warfare is strikingly illus
trated.
Gov ReanS Fill Need