文档介绍：Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War
Aeroplanes and
Dirigibles of War
By Frederick A. Talbot
1
Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War
PREFACE
Ever since the earliest days of the great conquest of the air, first by the
dirigible balloon and then by the aeroplane, their use in time of war has
been a fruitful theme for discussion. But their arrival was of too recent a
date, their many utilities too unexplored to provide anything other than
theories, many obviously untenable, others avowedly problematical.
Yet the part airships have played in the Greatest War e as a
surprise even to their most convinced advocates. For every expectation
shattered, they have shown a more pensating possibility of
usefulness.
In this volume an endeavour has been made to record their
achievements, under the stern test of trial, as an axiom of war, and to
explain, in untechnical language, the many services to which they have
been and may be applied.
In the preparation of the work I have received assistance from many
sources--British, French, Russian and German--from official reports and
from men who have played a part in the War in the Air. The information
concerning German military aircraft has been obtained from Government
documents, most of which were placed at my disposal before the outbreak
of war.
The use of aircraft has changed the whole art and science of warfare.
With its disabilities well in hand, with its strength but half revealed, the
aerial service has revolutionised strategy and shorn the unexpected attack
of half its terrors. The Fourth Arm is now an invaluable part of the
complex military machine.
F. A. TALBOT.
2
Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War
CHAPTER I
THE INTRODUCTION OF AIRCRAFT INTO MILITARY
OPERATIONS
It is a curious circumstance that an invention, which is hailed as being
one of the greatest achievements ever recorded in the march of civilisation,
should be devoted essentially to the maiming of humanity and the
destruction