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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 missiles and throws them overboard。 The aeroplane
becomes enveloped in a cloud of thick impenetrable smoke。 It is
useless to fire haphazard at the cloud； inasmuch as it does not
necessarily cover the aviator。 He probably has dashed out of the
cloud in such a way as to put the screen between himself and his
pursuer。
In such tactics he has merely profited by a method which is
practised freely upon the water。 The torpedo boat flotilla when
in danger of being overwhelmed by superior forces will throw off
copious clouds of smoke。 Under this cover it is able to steal
away； trusting to the speed of the craft to carry them well
beyond gunshot。 The 〃smoke screen；〃 as it is called； is an
accepted and extensively practised ruse in naval strategy； and is
now adopted by its mosquito colleagues of the air。
CHAPTER XIII
TRICKS AND RUSES TO BAFFLE THE AIRMAN
The airman has not been allowed to hold his undisputed sway in
military operations for long。 Desperate situations demand
drastic remedies and already considerable and illuminating
ingenuity is being displayed to baffle and mislead the scout of
the skies。
It is a somewhat curious and noteworthy fact； that the Germans
were among the first to realise the scope of the airman's
activities； and the significance of their relation to the
conveyance of intimate information and the direction of artillery
fire。 Consequently； they now spare no effort to convey illusory
information； in the hope that the hostile force may ultimately
make a false move which may culminate in disaster。
Thus； for instance； as much endeavour is bestowed upon the
fashioning of dummy trenches as upon the preparation of the
actual lines of defence。 And every care will be taken to
indicate that the former are strongly held。 The dug…outs are
complete and at places are apparently cunningly masked。 If the
airman is flying swiftly； he is likely to fail to distinguish the
dummy from the real trenches。 To him the defences appear to be
far more elaborate and more strongly held than is the actual
case。
The advantage of this delusion is obvious when a retreat is being
made。 It enables the enemy to withdraw his forces deliberately
and in perfect order； and to assume another and stronger position
comparatively at leisure。 The difficulty of detecting the
dummies is emphasised； inasmuch as now； whenever the sound of an
aeroplane is heard； or a glimpse thereof is obtained； the men
keep well down and out of sight。 Not a sign of movement is
observable。 For all the airman may know to the contrary； the
trenches may be completely empty； whereas； as a matter of fact；
they are throbbing with alert infantry； anxious for a struggle
with the enemy。
This is one instance where the dirigible is superior to the
aeroplane。 The latter can only keep circling round and round
over the suspicious position； the movement through the air
interferes with close continuous observation。 On the other hand；
the dirigible can maintain a stationary position aloft for hours
on end。 Then the issue is resolved into a contest of patience；
with the advantage to the airman。 The soldiers in the trenches
fret and fume under cover； confined concealment is irksome and is
a supreme test of the nerves。 Unless the soldiers are made of
very stern stuff； physical endurance succumbs。 Some rash act
apparently very trivialmay be committed； it suffices for the
vigilant sentinel overhead。 He detects the slender sign of life；
forms his own conclusions； and returns to his headquarters with
the intelligence that the enemy is playing 〃Brer Rabbit。〃
It has also become increasingly difficult for the airman to
gather absolutely trustworthy data concerning the disposition and
movement of troops。 Small columns are now strung out along the
highways to convey the impression that the moving troops are in
far greater force than is actually the case； while the main body
is under the cover offered by a friendly wood and is safe from
detection。 The rapidity with which thousands of men are able
to disappear when the word 〃Airman〃 is passed round is
astonishing。 They vanish as completely and suddenly as if
swallowed by the earth or dissolved into thin air。 They conceal
themselves under bushes；in ditches； lie prone under hedgerows；
dart into houses and outbuildingsin short； take every cover
which is available； no matter how slender it may seem； with
baffling alacrity。 The attenuated column； however； is kept
moving along the highway for the express purpose of deceiving the
airman。
Advancing troops also are now urged to move forward under the
shelter of trees； even if the task entails marching in single or
double file； to escape the prying eyes of the man above。 By
keeping close to the line of trunks； thus taking full advantage
of the overhanging branches； and marching in such a manner as to
create little dust； it is possible to escape the aerial scout。
The concealment of cavalry； however； is somewhat difficult。 An
animal； especially if he be unaccustomed to the noise of the
aeroplane； is likely to become startled； and to give vent to a
frightened and vociferous neighing which invariably provokes a
hearty response from his equine comrades。 The sharp ear of the
airman does not fail to distinguish this sound above the music of
his motor。 Again； he has come to regard all copses and stretches
of undergrowth with suspicion。 Such may or may not harbour the
enemy； but there is no risk in making an investigation。 He
swoops down； and when a short distance above the apparently
innocent copse； circles round it two or three times。 Still
undecided； he finally hurls a bomb。 Its detonation invariably
proves effective。 The horses stampede and the secret is out。
Even foot soldiers must be severely trained and experienced to
resist the natural inclination to break cover when such a missile
is hurled into their midst。
Frequently a force； which has laboured under the impression that
it is safe from detection； has revealed its presence unwittingly
and upon the spur of the moment。 If the men be steeled against
the bomb attack； it is almost impossible to resist the
inclination to take a shot when the airman； swooping down；
ventures so temptingly near as to render him an enticing target
almost impossible to miss。 As a rule； however； the observer is
on the alert for such a betrayal of a force's existence。 When
the bomb fails to scatter the enemy； or the men are proof against
the temptation to fire a volley； a few rounds from the
aeroplane's machine gun often proves effective。 If the copse
indeed be empty no harm is done； beyond the abortive expenditure
of a few rounds of ammunition： if it be occupied； the fruits of
the manoeuvre are attractive。 Cunning is matched