The Zeppelin, and indeed all dirigibles of large size, have one
advantage over aeroplanes. They are able to throw bombs of
larger size and charged with greater quantities of high explosive
and shrapnel than those which can be hurled from heavier-than-air
machines. Thus it has been stated that the largest Zeppelins can
drop single charges exceeding one ton in weight, but such a
statement is not to be credited.
The shell generally used by the Zeppelin measures about 47 inches
in length by 8 1/2 inches in diameter, and varies in weight from
200 to 242 pounds. Where destruction pure and simple is desired,
the shell is charged with a high explosive such as picric acid or
T.N.T., the colloquial abbreviation for the devastating agent
scientifically known as "Trinitrotoluene," the base of which, in
common with all the high explosives used by the different powers
and variously known as lyddite, melinite, cheddite, and so forth,
is picric acid. Such a bomb, if it strikes the objective, a
building, for instance, fairly and squarely, may inflict
widespread material damage.
On the other hand, where it is desired to scatter death, as well
as destruction, far and wide, an elaborate form of shrapnel shell
is utilised.
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