Role of Airships in World War l

In 1990s, Count von Zeppelin launched a blimp named “the Zeppelins” which was the most famous airship of all time. However, it had certain flaws, which resulted in its failure. After six years, the LZ2 was presented after covering all the flaws in the LZ1. It gained popularity among people very quickly. This airship was composed of lattice girders that were covered by using fabrics. In addition, two engine cars were used in those airships, which were placed under the hull driving propellers. Later on, these airships were also used in the First World War.

Italy was the first country who got the idea of using these airships in the war. In March 1912, Italian forces decided to use blimps as a weapon. Whereas in the first half of 1914, Albert Caquot developed an observation balloon named as “Tethered Type R Observation Balloon” for the French army. These balloons were also used by united state, Germany and British, at the end of World War I.

Germans believed that the airships they had obtained as an ideal weapon to strike on the enemy. Zeppelin was the most popular airship of that time due to its long range that was used for naval operations. The World War started in 1914 but reached at its peak in 1915 when different countries became involved in this raid. Meanwhile, zeppelin was used by different countries for target selection and navigation purpose. However, it proved itself as an inaccurate weapon due to difficulty in maintaining it under those conditions. In addition, darkness and clouds affected its performance in World War I.

Another problem that occurred with zeppelins was its damage by enemy’s bullets. In start, it was attacked by aircrafts. However, later on, incendiary bullets were developed for attacking on Zeppelin, which resulted in its failure in World War I. On the other hand, the use of blimps was the first strategic campaign used in the history of war.

Later on counter measures were taken by the British for which they used different equipments for war like anti-aircraft artillery and search lights for detecting airships. Before the World War, these airships were only used for scouting purpose by the enemies. We can’t say that blimps were totally unsuccessful in the World War I because they were still used for scouting, mine clearances, submarine attacks and many other purposes.

Amazingly, the British used more than 226 airships during World War I for many purposes like scouting and attacking on submarines of the enemy. On the other hand, France and Italy used these airships against enemies. France used non-rigid blimps for scouting purposes as well as for the bombing roles. Airships played their major role in the ending of the war when airplanes were replaced by these blimps or airships. In addition, it will not be wrong to say that airships played their vital role in World War I and gave birth to a new way of strategic war between countries.