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time it neared the earth its velocity was great
enough to assure the destruction of all on board；
while the ship itself was crushed to atoms。
One of the most spectacular fights of the war
occurred outside Paris； when one of the German
Taubes attempted to make its periodical tour
of observation。 One of the French aeroplanes；
which had the advantage of greater speed；
mounted to a greater altitude； and circled about
the Taube。
The latter with its machine gun made a furious
attack； during these maneuvers； but the French
ship did not reply until it was at such an elevation
that it could deliver the attack from above。
Then its machine gun was brought into play。 As
was afterwards discovered； the wings and body
of the Taube were completely riddled； and it was
a marvel how it was possible for the German aviator
to remain afloat as long as he did。
Soon the Taube was noticed to lurch from side
to side； and then dart downwardly。 The monoplane；
in the pursuit； gradually descended； but it
was not able to follow the destroyed Taube to the
earth； as the latter finally turned over； and went
swirling to destruction。
The observer； as well as the aviator； had both
been killed by the fire from the monoplane。
In the trenches on the Marne； to the northeast
of Paris； where the most stubborn conflict raged
for over a week； the air was never clear of aeroplanes。
They could be seen in all directions； and
almost all types of machines were represented。
The principal ones； however； were monoplanes。
THE GERMAN TAUBE。The German Taube is a
monoplane； its main supporting surfaces； as well
as the tail planes； are so constructed that they
represent a bird。 Taube means dove。 It would
have been more appropriate to call it a hawk。
On the other hand； the French monoplane； of
which the Bleriot is the best known example； has
wings with well rounded extremities； and flaring
tail； so that the two can be readily distinguished。
On one occasion； during the lull in the battle；
two of the Taubes approached the area above the
French lines； and after ascending to a great
height； began the volplane toward their own lines。
Such a maneuver was found to be the most advantageous；
as it gave the scouting aeroplane the
advantage of being able to discover the positions
and movements with greater ease； and at the same
time； in case of accident to the machine； the impetus
of the flight would be to their own lines。
Three of the French aeroplanes at once began
their circling flight； mounting higher and higher；
but without attempting to go near the Taubes。
When the French ships had gained the proper
altitude； they closed in toward the German ships；
before the latter could reach their own lines in
their volplaning act。
This meant that they must retreat or fight； and
the crack of the guns showed that it meant a
struggle。 The monoplanes circled about with
incredible skill； pouring forth shot after shot。
Soon one of the Taubes was seen to flutter。
This was the signal for a more concentrated attack
on her。
The army in the trenches； and on the fields below；
witnessed the novel combat。 The flying
ships were now approaching the earth； but the
gunners below dared not use their guns； because
in the maneuvers they would be as likely to strike
friend as foe。
The wounded Taube was now shooting to the
earth； and the two monoplanes began to give their
attention to the other ship； which was attempting
to escape to the north。 The flash of the guns of
all the fliers could be plainly seen； but the sounds
were drowned by the roar of the great conflict all
about them。
The Taube could not escape the net around her。
She； too； was doomed。 A shot seemed to strike
the gasoline tank； and the framework was soon
enveloped in flames。 Then she turned sidewise；
as the material on one side burned away； and
skidding to the left she darted to the earth；
a shapeless mass。
It was found that the aviator was not hurt by
the shot； but was； undoubtedly； killed by the impact
with the earth。 The observer was riddled
with bullets； and was likely dead before the ship
reached the earth。
In the western confines of Belgium； near Ypres；
the British employed numerous aircraft； many of
them biplanes； and at all times they were in the
air； reporting observations。 Many of the flying
fights have been recorded； and the reports when
published will be most thrilling reading。
HOW AEROPLANES REPORT OBSERVATIONS。It
may be of some interest to know how aeroplanes
are able to report observations to the commanders
in the field； from the airship itself。 Many
ingenious devices have been devised for this purpose。
SIGNAL FLAGS。The best known and most universally
used method is by the use of signaling
flags。 Suppose the commander of a force is desirous
of getting the range of a hidden battery；
or a massed force in his front。 The observer in
the aeroplane will sail over the area at an understood
altitude； say one mile in height。
The officer in charge of the battery； knowing
the height of the airship； is able； by means of
the angle thus given him； to get the distance between
his battery and the concealed point beneath
the airship。 The observer in the airship； of
course； signals the engineer officer； the exact point
or time when the airship is directly above； and
this gives him the correct angle。
The guns of the battery are then directed and
fired so as to reach the concealed point。 It is
now important to be able to send intelligible signals
to the officer in charge of the battery。 If the
shot goes beyond the mark； the observer in the
airship raises the flag above his head； which indicates
that it was too high。
HOW USED。If the shot fell short he would
lower the flag。 If the shot landed too far to the
right； this would be indicated by the flag； and if
too far to the left； the signal would； in like manner；
be sufficient to enable the gunners to correct
the guns。
When the exact range is obtained the observer
in the ship waves the flag about his head； in
token of approval。 All this work of noting the
effect of the shots must be taken while the airship
is under fire； and while circling about within
visual range of the concealed object below。
The officer in charge of the battery； as well as
the observer on the flying craft； must be equipped
with powerful glasses； so the effect of the shots
may be noted on the one hand； and the signals
properly read by the officer on the other hand。
It may be said； however； that air battles have
not been frequent and that they have been merely
incidents of the conditions under which they were
operated。 The mission of the aeroplane is now
conceded to be purely one of observation； such as
we have described。
Both French and German reports are full of
incidents showing the value of observations； and
also co