Free Download
Aircraft and Submarines
Aircraft and Submarines
The Story of the Invention, Development, and Present-Day Uses of War's Newest Weapons
Not since gunpowder was first employed in warfare has so revolutionary a contribution to the science of slaughtering men been made as by the perfection of aircraft and submarines. The former have had their first employment in this world-wide war of the nations. The latter, though in the experimental stage as far back as the American Revolution, have in this bitter contest been for the first time brought to so practical a stage of development as to exert a really appreciable influence on the outcome of the struggle.
Book Excerpt
tke himself would have scoffed at the idea that men could turn themselves into birds to spy out the enemy's dispositions and save a sorely menaced army.
When this war has passed into history it will be recognized that its greatest contributions to military science have been the development and the use of aircraft and submarines. There have, of course, been other features in the method of waging war which have been novel either in themselves, or in the gigantic scale upon which they have been employed. There is, for example, nothing new about trench warfare. The American who desires to satisfy himself about that need only to visit the Military Park at Vicksburg, or the country about Petersburg or Richmond, to recognize that even fifty years ago our soldiers understood the art of sheltering themselves from bullet and shrapnel in the bosom of Mother Earth. The trench warfare in Flanders, the Argonne, and around Verdun has been novel only in the degree to which it has been developed and perfected. Concrete
Editor's choice
(view all)
Popular books in War, History
More books by Willis J. Abbot
(view all)
Readers reviews
4.0
LoginSign up
This book is written in the time of WWI. It really documents the beginning of aircraft and subs. The aircraft section is quit informative. Covers the history of hot air balloons to first gliders. The history of adding power, building, types, an flying techniques of the age. Stories of the airmen and the ways they fought at the time first hand. Some of it covers to much of the airmen, but the thoughts of one of the Wright brothers was interesting. They clearly understood that planes were going to be used for war machines. But what they could use in peace time was not clear to them.
The submarine is just as interesting to read. Even in the times of Washington men were working on some type of underwater marine vehicle. Clearly the design of subs was altogether for war. Nothing really has come about for the commercial use of subs other than scientific work. Just as a tank subs are more war machines than any other type. Worth the read because its written from the times. The thoughts and ideas about the war and the two vehicles used come from different uses of today. Well written, to much time dealing with the pilots and their tactics, gives good history on flight and submarine development.
The submarine is just as interesting to read. Even in the times of Washington men were working on some type of underwater marine vehicle. Clearly the design of subs was altogether for war. Nothing really has come about for the commercial use of subs other than scientific work. Just as a tank subs are more war machines than any other type. Worth the read because its written from the times. The thoughts and ideas about the war and the two vehicles used come from different uses of today. Well written, to much time dealing with the pilots and their tactics, gives good history on flight and submarine development.
- Upvote (0)
- Downvote (0)
Ho ho, who wlouda thunk it, right?
08/26/2011