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WITH THE FOURTH ARMY 167
of troops or transport trains on the fringe of a coppice or wood,
he describes by the direction of his flight the outhne of the
area in question, and this is promptly followed by a rain of
shells. One of the chief duties of the aviator is thus to guide
the direction of the artillery fire. If one or several French
batteries make it their business to bombard, and if possible
to destroy, a German battery the approximate position of
which is known by the airman, the latter ascends in the
neighbourhood of the target and makes his observations,
which are immediately conveyed to the artillery commander
concerned. In case of " minus " hits—that is to say if the
shells fall short of the object—the airman describes a circle
of small diameter. In case of " plus " hits—if the shells burst
beyond the object—the airman describes a circle of large
diameter. If the shells fall to the left of the object, he makes
an abrupt turn to the right, and if they fall subsequently to
the right of the object he swings to the left. In this way the
airman by his movements in the air brings the fire gradually
closer to the target. It goes without saying that all these
tricks are countered by the Germans with equal skill. If a
German battery notices aerial observations on the part of
the enemy, and that the enemy shells are coming nearer, it
ceases fire and the battery is moved during the night. One
advantage which the French possess, owing to the otherwise
unfortunate circumstance that their own country is the theatre
of war, is that they can gather much valuable information
from the civil population. Amongst the latter it is of course
easy here and there to conceal someone who by certain signs
or by Hght signals at night is able to give information about
the movements of the Germans. If the chief command of an
army corps or other staff has taken up its quarters in a certain
village, the French observers are informed thereof by pre-
arranged signals, and it is soon revealed by the artillery fire
whether they have been correctly interpreted. Signals can
also be given in day-time, for instance, through a peasant
driving his cattle to a certain spot when an airman is aloft
and can see him.
Constant shifting of ground is the most effective means of
overcoming the effects of spying and of direct observation.
These changes are made at night. In daylight care is taken to
remain quiet and concealed under such cover as the ground
affords. The Germans are past-masters in the art of moving
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