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aspire to harass its enemy by buzzing around； hoping that a lucky
opportunity will develop to enable it to rush in and to launch
its torpedo。 It is the same with the aeroplane when arrayed
against a Zeppelin。 It is the mosquito craft of the air。
How then can a heavier…than…air machine triumph over the unwieldy
lighter…than…air antagonist？ Two solutions are available。 If it
can get above the dirigible the adroplane may bring about the
dirigible's destruction by the successful launch of a bomb。 The
detonation of the latter would fire the hydrogen within the
gas…bag or bags； in which event the airship would fall to earth a
tangled wreck。 Even if the airship were inflated with a
non…inflammable gasthe Germans claim that their Zeppelins now
are so inflatedthe damage wrought by the bomb would be so
severe as to destroy the airship's buoyancy； and it would be
forced to the ground。
The alternative is very much more desperate。 It involves ramming
the dirigible。 This is undoubtedly possible owing to the speed
and facile control of the aeroplane； but whether the operation
would be successful remains to be proved。 The aeroplane would be
faced with such a concentrated hostile fire as to menace its own
existenceits forward rush would be frustrated by the dirigible
just as a naval vessel parries the ramming tactics of an enemy by
sinking the latter before she reaches her target； while if it did
crash into the hull of the dirigible； tearing it to shreds；
firing its gas； or destroying its equilibrium； both protagonists
would perish in the fatal dive to earth。 For this reason ramming
in mid…air is not likely to be essayed except when the situation
is desperate。
What happens when two aeroplanes meet in dire combat in mid…air
and one is vanquished？ Does the unfortunate vessel drop to earth
like a stone； or does it descend steadily and reach the ground
uninjured？ So far as actual experience has proved； either one of
the foregoing contingencies may happen。 In one such duel the
German aeroplane was observed to start suddenly upon a vol…plane
to the ground。 Its descending flight carried it beyond the lines
of the Allies into the territory of its friends。 Both came to
the conclusion that the aviator had effected his escape。 But
subsequent investigation revealed the fact that a lucky bullet
from the Allies' aeroplane had lodged in the brain of the German
pilot； killing him instantly。 At the moment when Death over took
him the aviator had set his plane for the descent to the ground；
and the machine came to earth in the manner of a glider。
But in other instances the descent has been far more tragic。 The
aeroplane； deprived of its motive power； has taken the deadly
headlong dive to earth。 It has struck the ground with terrific
violence； burying its nose in the soil； showing incidentally that
a flying machine is an indifferent plough； and has shattered
itself； the debris soaked with the escaping fuel becoming
ignited。 In any event； after such a fall the machine is certain
to be a wreck。 The motor may escape damage； in which event it
is salvaged； the machine subsequently being purposely sacrificed
to the flames； thereby rendering it no longer available to the
enemy even if captured。 In many instances the hostile fire has
smashed some of the stays and wires； causing the aeroplane to
lose its equilibrium； and sending it to earth in the manner of
the proverbial stone； the aviators either being dashed to pieces
or burned to death。
What are the vulnerable parts of the aeroplane？ While the
deliberate intention of either combatant is to put his antagonist
hors de combat； the disablement of the machine may be achieved
without necessarily killing or even seriously wounding the
hostile airman。 The prevailing type of aeroplane is highly
susceptible to derangement： it is like a ship without armour
plate protection。 The objective of the antagonist is the motor
or the fuel…tank； the vital parts of the machine； as much as the
aviator seated within。
A well…planted shot； which upsets the mechanism of the engine； or
a missile which perforates the fuel tank； thereby depriving the
motor of its sustenance； will ensure victory as conclusively as
the death of the aviator himself。 Rifle fire can achieve either
of these ends with little difficulty。 Apart from these two
nerve…centres； bombardment is not likely to effect the desired
disablement； inasmuch as it cannot be rendered completely
effective。 The wings may be riddled like a sieve； but the
equilibrium of the machine is not seriously imperilled thereby。
Even many of the stays may be shot away； but bearing in mind the
slender objective they offer； their destruction is likely to be
due more to luck than judgment。 On the other hand； the motor and
fuel tank of the conventional machine offer attractive targets：
both may be put out of action readily； and the disablement of the
motive power of an enemy's craft； be it torpedo…boat； battleship；
or aeroplane； immediately places the same at the assailant's
mercy。
Nevertheless； of course； the disablement of the airman brings
about the desired end very effectively。 It deprives the driving
force of its controlling hand； The aeroplane becomes like a ship
without a rudder： a vessel whose helmsman has been shot down。 It
is unmanageable； and likely to become the sport of the element in
which it moves。 It is for this reason that aviators have been
urged to direct their fire upon the men and mechanism of a
dirigible in the effort to put it out of action。 An uncontrolled
airship is more likely to meet with its doom than an aeroplane。
The latter will inevitably glide to earth； possibly damaging
itself seriously in the process； as events in the war have
demonstrated； but a helpless airship at once becomes the sport of
the wind； and anyone who has assisted； like myself； in the
descent of a vessel charged with gas and floating in the air； can
appreciate the difficulties experienced in landing。 An
uncontrolled Zeppelin； for instance； would inevitably pile up in
a tangled twisted ruin if forced to descend in the manner of an
ordinary balloon。 Consequently the pilot of a dirigible realises
to the full the imperative urgency of keeping beyond the
point…blank fire of aerial mosquito craft。
The assiduity with which British aviators are prepared to swarm
to the attack has been responsible for a display of commendable
ingenuity on the part of the German airman。 Nature has provided
some of its creatures； such as the octopus； for instance； with
the ways and means of baffling its pursuers。 It emits dense
clouds of inky fluid when disturbed； and is able to effect its
escape under cover of this screen。
The German aviator has emulated the octopus。 He carries not only
explosive bombs but smoke balls as well。 When he is pursued and
he finds himself in danger of being overtaken； the Teuton aviator
ignites these m