Aerial reconnaissance in altering the ways battles were fought

Question 1

What is reconnaissance about?

Answer 1

Gaining intelligence by surveying territory held by the enemy.

Question 2

What were the three key aspects of reconnaissance?

Answer 2

• reconnaissance (the ability to survey territory)
• observation (accurate recording of what was surveyed)
• communication (relaying information as quickly as possible).

Question 3

When did the German army acquire its first Zeppelin?

Answer 3

in 1906 after Ferdinand von Zeppelin flew his first airship in 1900

Question 4

How were balloons useful on the western front?

Answer 4

For observation and artillery spotting

Question 5

What did balloon observers do?

Answer 5

Took photographs, checked maps, identified targets and reported on artillery accuracy by telephone. A winch crew was ready to reel down the balloon, should enemy aircraft threaten.

Question 6

How were observation balloons protected?

Answer 6

defended by anti-aircraft guns, and balloons were not that easy to shoot down. Bullets could pass through the balloon fabric without igniting the gas inside, and not until incendiary ammunition was developed