12/15/2009

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Early attempts (WWI) Early attempts (WWI) Germany was the first to develop the idea, inspired by the plan of the Commander of Air Service of the Imperial German Navy Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich von Arnauld de la Perriere. This commander was in charge of a unit of two reconnaissance seaplanes (Friedrichshafen FF.29s) in Zeebrugge which had been occupied by the Imperial Navy in the early months of the First World War. One of the first U-Boat to reach the base of Zeebrugge was the U-12 subcaptain Walter Forstmann. The commander ordered the modification of four reconnaissance seaplanes Friedrichshafen FF-29 so they could carry 26 bombs of 227 grams (half pound) in its unit located at the base of Zeebrugge, making history as one of its planes on Christmas Day, 1914 , flew across the Channel up the river Thames, dropping their bombs on the outskirts of London, doing little damage. Although this seaplane was chased by 3 interceptors British returned to their base safely.In this mission the hydrofoil had more problems of fuel by British bullets. Subsequently, encouraged by his success, Arnauld and Forstmann speculated that it could increase the number of aircraft flying boats putting off position on the decks of submarines and after doing that the submarine was partially submerged, to launch the aircraft so to stay afloat longer. On 15 January 1915, the U-12 left their base in Zeebrugge carrying on its cover a FF-29 armed with bombs. The submarine left the harbor, seeming small compared to the 16.2 meters (53 feet 2 inches) size of the wings of aircraft, nearly a third of the 57.3 meters (188 feet) length of submarine coastal patrol. However, after the U-12 left the safety of the breakwater, the captain realized that he could storm surge flooding and endanger aircraft operation, so throw the...

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