The dirigible balloon centers in Germany are five and they are
situated at vitally strategic points. There are two on the French
border, one on the Russian border, one on the Atlantic Coast, and a
central station near Berlin. The exact places are Strassburg,
Frankfort-on-the-Main, Posen, Wilhelmshafen, and Berlin. This does
not include the marvelous station at Helgoland in the North Sea, this
being a strategic point in relation to Great Britain. Nothing is
known about this Helgoland station. No one but those on official
business are permitted within a thousand yards of it. I shall tell
things concerning it.
Besides these purely military posts, there are a number of commercial
stations necessary as depots of the regular transportation aerial
lines that operate for the convenience of the public. Like Germany's
commercial steamers, however, they are controlled and subsidized by
the Government. At a few hours' notice they can be converted and made
use of for Government purposes. Taking these transportation lines
into consideration, it is safe to state that by summer of the present
year Germany could send fifty huge airships to war.
It may be a puzzle to Americans why, in the face of disasters and
accidents to these Zeppelins, Germany is spending about $4,000,000 on
her aerial fleet. Now we come to a very significant point. I know
and certain members of the German General Staff know, as well as
trusted men in the a?«rial corps, that there are two conditions under
which airships are operated in Germany.
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