A slight miscalculation
of the velocity and direction of the wind, or failure to detect
any variations in the climatic conditions, is sufficient to prove
his undoing. German airmen who essayed journeys of discovery in
this manner, often failed to regain their lines because they
ventured too far, misjudged the speed of the wind which was
following them on the outward run, and ultimately were forced to
earth owing to the exhaustion of the fuel supply during the
homeward trip; the increased task imposed upon the motor, which
had to battle hard to make headway, caused the fuel consumption
per mile to exceed calculations.
Then the venturesome airman cannot neglect another factor which
is adverse to his success. Hostile airmen lie in wait, and a
fleet of aeroplanes is kept ready for instant service. They
permit the invader to penetrate well into their territory and
then ascend behind him to cut off his retreat. True, the invader
has the advantage of being on the wing, while the ether is wide
and deep, without any defined channels of communication. But
nine times out of ten the adventurous scout is trapped.
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