"FATHER DE 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 26, 1794 ("le 8 Messidor de l'an 2"), with the balloon being flown with a pilot and observer, the latter with 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 Gibbs-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
Artist:
Noudet
Donated by:
Renee Thornton
Image(s) credit:
The Beginnings of Aerial Reconnaissance (1794), Noudet, Royal Aeronautical Society - PDM 1.0
