Its manoeuvres were somewhat
circumscribed, and were carried out at a safe distance from the
enemy, dependence being placed upon the advantages of an
elevated position for the gathering of information.
But as the campaign progressed, the airships became more daring.
Their ability to soar to a great height offered them complete
protection against gun-fire, and accordingly sallies over the
hostile lines were carried out. But even here a certain
hesitancy became manifest. This was perfectly excusable, for the
simple reason that the dirigible, above all, is a fair-weather
craft, and disasters, which had overtaken these vessels time
after time, rendered prudence imperative. Moreover, but little
was known of the range and destructiveness of anti-aircraft guns.
In the duty of reconnoitring the dirigible possesses one great
advantage over its heavier-than-air rival. It can remain
virtually stationary in the air, the propellers revolving at just
sufficient speed to off-set the wind and tendencies to drift. In
other words, it has the power of hovering over a position,
thereby enabling the observers to complete their task carefully
and with deliberation.
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