Everyone loves Zeppelins, but whatever PoD produced OTL seems to have had an unfortunate butterfly effect meaning that they don't seem to have caught on around here. In a world where even things like hovercraft have found their niche and are used on a specialist level, it seems a little strange that nobody uses them at all any more. So... even though this is approaching the question the wrong way round (Zeppelins are cool, therefore let's think of a way to use them practically), what realistic ways could we see Zeppelins used in a military context in an ATL? (Note: I’m not thinking of any specific TL here, although in period terms I’m mainly thinking of technology similar to OTL’s 1920-1950 or so)
1: Bomber
This of course is how Zeppelins were used most prominently in WW1, but I think we can probably give this one a miss. There's nothing a Zeppelin can do in this field that a heaver then air bomber can't do more cheaply, quickly and effectively, although I suppose one potential advantage would be that the zeppelins would be able to carry their own fighter escort with them and only launch when there's a threat. Having said that, imagine what an incredible sight a 1000-airship raid on a city would be for the short time it lasted...
2: Mobile gun platform
Another idea would be to take advantage of the Zeppelin's ability to carry
large loads and strap a bunch of guns to the side, similar to the gunships
that OTL's USAF has been using since the Vietnam war but on a larger scale. This would have quite a few advantages - it could provide lightly-equipped troops with much needed aerial support and be relatively mobile to boot, while still packing quite a lot of firepower. More importantly, it also brings us closer to our real objective- Moorcockian aerial battleships bristling with heavy guns willing and able to duel amongst the skies... Unfortunately, I can't see this being hugely practical. Zeppelins are big targets and would be sitting ducks for any enemy fighters that come along during their bombardment. The end result would probably similar to what happened in 1914 when the Germans tried to use them for daytime raids over France and Belgium- the Zeppelins would have to gain height to avoid ground fire, to the extent where their own weapons were useless. In addition, while they could carry bigger guns then their heavier-then-air counterparts a single Zeppelin gunship would probably be less practical, more expensive and far more ponderous then a flight of planes equipped for the same purpose. So that's a no-no too. Pity.
3: Scout
Again, this was done OTL by the Germans, who used zeppelin scouts in the North Sea and Baltic. Zeppelins were actually quite useful in this context, at least until the development of spotter planes which did the same job but more quickly and cheaply. Their main utility would be at sea obviously, and over extreme distances where the superior endurance of the Zeppelin comes into its own. Once carriers are developed however the use of Zeppelins for reconnaissance will be somewhat limited. Again then, probably not a particularly useful employment of them.
4: Flying Aircraft Carrier
One option I suppose would be using Zeppelins as a sort of flying aircraft carrier, allowing navies to cover a much larger area while searching for an enemy fleet, and also giving the zeppelin the ability to launch attacks on any shipping it encounters. Obviously they're never going to be able to hold as many planes as a conventional carrier and if they come up against one they'll have to retreat or get shot out of the sky, but it could be a useful way of preying on small convoys, harassing shipping and generally making a nuisance. Can we say this is a maybe then?
5: Anti-Submarine platform
One area I think Zeppelins would be rather good at would be in Anti-Submarine Warfare, where their long range and ability to fly would be rather helpful. They’re large enough to carry a lot of depth charges, and can mount sonar as well. OTL ISTR Allied convoys in WWII suffered their worst losses in areas outside friendly aircraft range- in a TL where Zeppelins are used in this role this will no longer be a problem for merchant shipping. I reckon this one would work.
6: Convoy ship
And speaking of convoys, in a TL where the submarine menace gets too much, why not abandon the surface altogether for merchant shipping and use Zeppelins for heavy lifting instead? OTL the Pentagon’s looking into airships for heavy lifting, and we know that Zeppelins can potentially carry large loads faster then surface ships. OTOH it’s going to be expensive as you’ll have to develop a whole new infrastructure to load and unload the zeppelins let alone build them, but in a situation where zeppelins are already more widespread it could be far easier. A definite possible, I think.
7: AWACS
It occurs to me that while radar is still in a relatively early state a Zeppelin might be a good place to mount one, to provide mobile support for nearby aircraft or ships. I don’t know enough about early radar and its development to guess whether this is plausible or not, but having a mobile early warning system might prove very useful. Not sure on this one, but it seems to have some potential.
8: Troop transport
Zeppelins can carry a lot, and are airborne- so why not use them for carrying troops and equipment into battle? This was discussed in the recent ‘World War one paratroopers’ thread (http://snipurl.com/mtsu) and to me the use of zeppelins to create an early form of air cavalry is quite a plausible one. You’re not going to have the scattering problem that you get with parachutes, and you can land lots of men in one go. It could also be used in conjunction with paratroops to land heavier equipment like tanks and artillery. Obviously zeppelins are going to be pretty vulnerable when making their landing, but with sufficient air cover and so on it could work. Plus there’s the advantage of their long range to consider. I reckon this could be a good use of zeppelins, although I’m sure somebody will point out a glaring problem…
9: Colonial policeman
OTL aircraft were used a fair bit in the suppression of colonial revolts, but it occurs to me that zeppelins are potentially really useful here. 1 Zeppelin + onboard troops + a couple of aircraft = instant strike force that can patrol indefinitely over vast areas of difficult terrain and deal with anything nasty that emerges. I must admit that the image of zeppelins cruising over the northwest frontier is a rather evocative one and I think this is an idea that has potential…
So, what are people’s thoughts? I’m trying to keep this separate from any particular TL or PoD and instead concentrate on the practicality of such things assuming Zeppelins catch on. I’m no military expert so I’m sure there are gigantic wholes in my reasoning all over the place, but I think it’d be interesting to actually explore what realistic uses zeppelins could be put to.
1: Bomber
This of course is how Zeppelins were used most prominently in WW1, but I think we can probably give this one a miss. There's nothing a Zeppelin can do in this field that a heaver then air bomber can't do more cheaply, quickly and effectively, although I suppose one potential advantage would be that the zeppelins would be able to carry their own fighter escort with them and only launch when there's a threat. Having said that, imagine what an incredible sight a 1000-airship raid on a city would be for the short time it lasted...
2: Mobile gun platform
Another idea would be to take advantage of the Zeppelin's ability to carry
large loads and strap a bunch of guns to the side, similar to the gunships
that OTL's USAF has been using since the Vietnam war but on a larger scale. This would have quite a few advantages - it could provide lightly-equipped troops with much needed aerial support and be relatively mobile to boot, while still packing quite a lot of firepower. More importantly, it also brings us closer to our real objective- Moorcockian aerial battleships bristling with heavy guns willing and able to duel amongst the skies... Unfortunately, I can't see this being hugely practical. Zeppelins are big targets and would be sitting ducks for any enemy fighters that come along during their bombardment. The end result would probably similar to what happened in 1914 when the Germans tried to use them for daytime raids over France and Belgium- the Zeppelins would have to gain height to avoid ground fire, to the extent where their own weapons were useless. In addition, while they could carry bigger guns then their heavier-then-air counterparts a single Zeppelin gunship would probably be less practical, more expensive and far more ponderous then a flight of planes equipped for the same purpose. So that's a no-no too. Pity.
3: Scout
Again, this was done OTL by the Germans, who used zeppelin scouts in the North Sea and Baltic. Zeppelins were actually quite useful in this context, at least until the development of spotter planes which did the same job but more quickly and cheaply. Their main utility would be at sea obviously, and over extreme distances where the superior endurance of the Zeppelin comes into its own. Once carriers are developed however the use of Zeppelins for reconnaissance will be somewhat limited. Again then, probably not a particularly useful employment of them.
4: Flying Aircraft Carrier
One option I suppose would be using Zeppelins as a sort of flying aircraft carrier, allowing navies to cover a much larger area while searching for an enemy fleet, and also giving the zeppelin the ability to launch attacks on any shipping it encounters. Obviously they're never going to be able to hold as many planes as a conventional carrier and if they come up against one they'll have to retreat or get shot out of the sky, but it could be a useful way of preying on small convoys, harassing shipping and generally making a nuisance. Can we say this is a maybe then?
5: Anti-Submarine platform
One area I think Zeppelins would be rather good at would be in Anti-Submarine Warfare, where their long range and ability to fly would be rather helpful. They’re large enough to carry a lot of depth charges, and can mount sonar as well. OTL ISTR Allied convoys in WWII suffered their worst losses in areas outside friendly aircraft range- in a TL where Zeppelins are used in this role this will no longer be a problem for merchant shipping. I reckon this one would work.
6: Convoy ship
And speaking of convoys, in a TL where the submarine menace gets too much, why not abandon the surface altogether for merchant shipping and use Zeppelins for heavy lifting instead? OTL the Pentagon’s looking into airships for heavy lifting, and we know that Zeppelins can potentially carry large loads faster then surface ships. OTOH it’s going to be expensive as you’ll have to develop a whole new infrastructure to load and unload the zeppelins let alone build them, but in a situation where zeppelins are already more widespread it could be far easier. A definite possible, I think.
7: AWACS
It occurs to me that while radar is still in a relatively early state a Zeppelin might be a good place to mount one, to provide mobile support for nearby aircraft or ships. I don’t know enough about early radar and its development to guess whether this is plausible or not, but having a mobile early warning system might prove very useful. Not sure on this one, but it seems to have some potential.
8: Troop transport
Zeppelins can carry a lot, and are airborne- so why not use them for carrying troops and equipment into battle? This was discussed in the recent ‘World War one paratroopers’ thread (http://snipurl.com/mtsu) and to me the use of zeppelins to create an early form of air cavalry is quite a plausible one. You’re not going to have the scattering problem that you get with parachutes, and you can land lots of men in one go. It could also be used in conjunction with paratroops to land heavier equipment like tanks and artillery. Obviously zeppelins are going to be pretty vulnerable when making their landing, but with sufficient air cover and so on it could work. Plus there’s the advantage of their long range to consider. I reckon this could be a good use of zeppelins, although I’m sure somebody will point out a glaring problem…
9: Colonial policeman
OTL aircraft were used a fair bit in the suppression of colonial revolts, but it occurs to me that zeppelins are potentially really useful here. 1 Zeppelin + onboard troops + a couple of aircraft = instant strike force that can patrol indefinitely over vast areas of difficult terrain and deal with anything nasty that emerges. I must admit that the image of zeppelins cruising over the northwest frontier is a rather evocative one and I think this is an idea that has potential…
So, what are people’s thoughts? I’m trying to keep this separate from any particular TL or PoD and instead concentrate on the practicality of such things assuming Zeppelins catch on. I’m no military expert so I’m sure there are gigantic wholes in my reasoning all over the place, but I think it’d be interesting to actually explore what realistic uses zeppelins could be put to.
