in production, was modified by the addition of a second engine following the loss of the République before being commissioned to take up her military role, based at the garrison of Belfort. A new airship, named Capitaine-Marchal in honour of the deceased commander of the République, was presented to the French government by Lebaudy Frères. After the accident criticisms were voiced about the advisability of operating the République following her accident prior to the manoeuvres and about the design of the airship's propellers; the latter point was addressed in the order for replacement propellers. Opinions such as those expressed by The New York Times that the "War Dirigibles Must Yield to the Aeroplane" and "France Loses Faith in Army Balloons – Loss of Four Lives in La République Accident Turns Public Favor to Aeroplanes" reflected a growing awareness of the relative potentials of airships and aeroplanes, although all major powers continued to invest in military airships for some years. Airships were to be used throughout most of World War I, before their vulnerability to improved heavier-than-air aircraft led to their being abandoned for military purposes; the British military Airship Branch was disbanded in 1921. Specifications See also References Notes Bibliography External links 1900s French military reconnaissance aircraft Airships of France Aviation accidents and incidents in France Hydrogen airships Aviation accidents and incidents in 1909 Accidents and incidents involving balloons and airships 1909 in France Aircraft first flown in 1908