When one reflects
upon the total sum of aircraft which have been brought to earth
during the present campaign, it will be realised that the number
of prizes is insignificant in comparison with the quantity of
ammunition expended.
CHAPTER XVI
MINING THE AIR
While the anti-aircraft gun represents the only force which has
been brought to the practical stage for repelling aerial attack,
and incidentally is the sole offensive weapon which has
established its effectiveness, many other schemes have been
devised and suggested to consummate these ends. While some of
these schemes are wildly fantastic, others are feasible within
certain limitations, as for instance when directed against
dirigibles.
It has been argued that the atmosphere is akin to the salt seas;
that an aerial vessel in its particular element is confronted
with dangers identical with those prevailing among the waters of
the earth. But such an analogy is fallacious: there is no more
similarity between the air and the ocean than there is between an
airship and a man-of-war. The waters of the earth conceal from
sight innumerable obstructions, such as rocks, shoals, sandbanks,
and other dangers which cannot by any means be readily detected.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262