those
to the east report that signals are growing stronger, while the stations
on the west state that they are diminishing, it is obvious that the
aeroplane is flying west to east, and vice versa when the west hears
more plainly at the expense of the east. If, however, both should report
that signals are growing stronger, then it is obvious that the aircraft
is advancing directly towards them.

It was this ability to deduce direction from the sound of the signals
which led to the location of the Zeppelin which came down at Luneville
some months previous to the war, and which threatened to develop into a
diplomatic incident of serious importance. The French wireless stations
running south-east to north-west were vigilant, and the outer station on
the north-west side picked up the Zeppelin's conversation. It maintained
a discreet silence, but communicated by telephone to its colleagues
behind.

Presently No. 2 station came within range, followed by Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6,
and so on in turn. Thus the track of the Zeppelin was dogged silently
through the air by its wireless conversation as easily and as positively
as if its flight had been followed by the naked eye. The Zeppelin
travellers were quite ignorant of this action upon the part of the
French and were surprised when they were rounded-up to learn that they
had been tracked so ruthlessly. Every message which the wireless of the
Zeppelin had transmitted had been received and filed by the French.

Under these circumstances it is doubtful whether wireless telegraphy
between aircraft and the forces beneath will be adopted extensively
during the present campaign. Of course, should some radical improvement
be perfected, whereby communication may be rendered absolutely
secretive, while no intimation is conveyed to the enemy that ethereal
conversation is in progress, then the whole situation will be changed,
and there may be remarkable developments.

CHAPTER XVIII. AIRCRAFT AND NAVAL OPERATIONS

When once the flying machine had indicated its possibilities in
connection with land operations it was only natural that endeavours
should be made to adapt it to the more rigorous requirements of the
naval service. But the conditions are so vastly dissimilar that only a
meagre measure of success has been recorded. Bomb-throwing from
aloft upon the decks of battleships appeals vividly to the popular
imagination, and the widespread destruction which may be caused by
dropping such a