Such a missile would have but little destructive effect if
dropped from a height of 1,000 feet. To achieve a result
commensurate with that of the 28-centimetre howitzer the airship
would have to launch the missile from a height of about 7,000
feet. To take aim from such an altitude is impossible,
especially at a rapidly moving target such as a battle-cruiser.
The fact must not be forgotten that Count Zeppelin himself has
expressed the opinion, the result of careful and prolonged
experiments, that his craft is practically useless at a height
exceeding 5,000 feet. Another point must not be overlooked. In
a spirited naval engagement the combatants would speedily be
obliterated from the view of those aloft by the thick pall of
smoke--the combination of gun-fire and emission from the furnaces
and a blind attack would be just as likely to damage friend as
foe.
Even if the aircraft ventured to descend as low as 5,000 feet it
would be faced with another adverse influence. The discharge of
the heavy battleship guns would bring about such an agitation of
the air above as to imperil the delicate equilibrium of an
airship.
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