or efficiently protected. Any attempt at aggressive action on the part of the dirigible is totally and completely out of the question; it is, in fact, beyond the conceivable range of possibility.
On the other hand, if the airship is to continue as a factor in warfare at all, it must be able to defend itself against hostile aircraft, and in particular be capable of repelling the attack of the enemy's aeroplanes. Now the only power of defence possessed by a dirigible when attacked by an aeroplane is counter-attack by gun-fire; hence the extent, character, and distribution of its gun armament is one of the most important factors in its design.
In the earlier days of the development of the aeroplane when its horse-power was but little in excess of the minimum required for the bare necessities of flight, its rate of ascent was so extremely slow (if it could be said to have any real rate of ascent at all) that it was commonly assumed that a dirigible, or airship, could seek safety in altitude. To-day, however, many aeroplanes will make altitude at a speed of 700 ft, or 800 ft, per minute, thus being more than able to hold their own with the lighter-than-air machine, and can ascend to over 10,000 ft, altitude (even twice this height has been reached); again having the dirigible at a disadvantage.
§ 7. Aeroplane versus Dirigible, means of Attack and Defence. The method by which an aeroplane may most effectively attack a dirigible is a matter that remains for future experience to settle. If the aeroplane pilot is prepared to sacrifice himself, and has at his disposal a powerful machine of modern design, no dirigible can stand against him. Thus, if, as a matter of experience in actual service, men are found of sufficient grit and grim determination to adopt ramming tactics, and to hurl themselves and their craft bodily at the
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