A FRENCH SAUSAGE BALLOON READY FOR AN OBSERVATION ASCENT 



The tumor-like protuberance at the lower end of the gas bag acts as a stabilizer. The 

 end under the bag is open, and through this simple mechanism the balloon is kept pointed 

 into the wind. 



However exciting it may be to read of 

 such exhibitions of prowess, far from the 

 fray, it must not be forgotten that it is 

 only by striking the enemy in a vital part 

 that any important weakening of his 

 power can be effected. 



Moreover, the ravages resulting from 

 repeated bombardments of the rear lines 

 are considerable, both from the material 

 and moral points of view. A single lucky 

 shot can blow up an ammunition depot 

 containing tens of thousands of shells 

 and effectively weaken the offensive 

 power of the artillery. 



SHATTERING THE ENEMY'S MORALE 



A bomb falling into the midst of an en- 

 campment of troops at rest throws con- 

 fusion among the men whose nerves, 

 shattered by the shocks of battle, are 

 commencing to recuperate. I leave you 

 to judge of what value are troops who, 

 harassed by the enemy even in their rest 

 camps, are obliged to return to the front 

 without having been able to get their 

 needed rest. 



From this point of view the damage 

 done the enemy by bombarding his avia- 

 tion fields may likewise be very great. 

 The machines of several air squadrons 

 are often assembled on one field, offer- 

 ing a very vulnerable target to the shots 

 of the enemy. 



During the battles of Verdun, the 

 Somme, and the Aisne our bomb-dropping 

 squadrons were daily employed, in con- 

 junction with the other branches, in pre- 

 paring for the success of our offensives 

 by harassing the vulnerable parts of the 

 enemy's rear lines. Several ammunition 

 depots were destroyed and the ravages 

 caused in connection with the transpor- 

 tation of troops, notably at the railway 

 station of St. Quentin, will be famous in 

 the annals of the war. 



A choice must be made between the 

 two methods. The French and English 

 have developed the bombardment of 

 purely military objectives, while our ene- 

 mies have devoted their energies to drop- 

 ping bombs on cities. 



It goes without saying, that every ef- 



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