Encyclopedia - Le Prieur Rockets
The Le Prieur rocket
comprised an incendiary rocket for use by fighter aircraft as a means of
bringing down enemy airships and
observation balloons.
Invented by Frenchman Lieutenant Yves Le Prieur the solid-fuel stick-guided rocket was first deployed during the Battle of Verdun in April 1916 when four rockets were attached to each strut of a Nieuport fighter aircraft and fired through steel tubes.
The Belgian Willy Coppens (a noted 'Balloon Buster') and Englishman Albert Ball made use of La Prieur rockets until the advent of incendiary Pomeroy bullets the following year made bringing down enemy balloons easier.
Le Prieur rockets were fired electrically, although their inaccuracy was such that pilots were generally required to fly within some 125 yards of their target before firing the rockets, which necessitated steep manoeuvres in order for the pilot to avoid colliding with the enemy balloon during the attack.
Although successful in its aim of destroying enemy observation balloons no Zeppelin airship was ever brought down by a Le Prieur rocket despite the best efforts of the British home defence service. The rockets were eventually withdrawn from service in 1918 once incendiary bullets had established themselves.
A Town Major was a staff officer responsible for billeting arrangements in a town or village behind the lines.
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