The Beginnings of Aerial Reconnaissance: 1783
The Beginnings of Aerial Reconnaissance: 1783 Battle of Fleurus
FATHER DC LANA had prophesied aerial invasion and attack in 1670, but had not foreseen the use for armies of possessing eyes in the sky. It was Napoleon's generals who were to refuse the military rocket but accept the military observation balloon in war. The French Convention had in 1793 authorised an air arm of "aerostiers" under Coutelle and Conté, and the first balloon, L'Entreprennant, saw action at Meubeuge on June 2nd, 1794
Here is the scene at the battle of Fleurus on June 26th 1794 ("le 8 Messidor de l'an 2"), with the the balloon being flown with a pilot and observer, the latter with a spy-glass and signal flag.
The balloons were a mild success, both from a military and psychological point of view: they were often shot at, seldom badly damaged, and each was bedded down at night—to save the hydrogen—under a portable cover and wind-break called a "tent-abri" designed by the great Meusnier
.C. H. GtBBS-SMITH
One of 12 prints from the Collections of the Royal Aeronautical Society reproduced by the Society to mark its Centenary in 1966—No. 3
Original size 38.5cm by 35.5cm
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