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paid the penalty for his rashness with his life； so that his
journey had proved in vain； because all the intelligence he had
gained had died with him； or； if committed to paper； was so
unintelligible as to prove useless。
It was the success of the British airmen in this particular field
of duty which was responsible for the momentous declaration in
Field…Marshal Sir John French's famous despatch：〃The British
Flying Corps has succeeded in establishing an individual
ascendancy； which is as serviceable to us as it is damaging to
the enemy 。 。 。 。 The enemy have been less enterprising in
their flights。 Something in the direction of the mastery of the
air has already been gained。〃
The methods of the British airmen are in vivid contrast to the
practice of the venturesome Teuton aerial rovers described above。
While individual flights are undertaken they are not of unknown
duration or mileage。 The man is given a definite duty to perform
and he ascends merely to fulfil it； returning with the
information at the earliest possible moment。 It is aerial
scouting with a method。 The intelligence is required and
obtained for a specific purpose； to govern a contemplated move in
the grim game of war。
Even then the flight is often undertaken by two or more airmen
for the purpose of checking and counterchecking information
gained； or to ensure such data being brought back to
headquarters； since it is quite possible that one of the party
may fall a victim to hostile fire。 By operating upon these
lines there is very little likelihood of the mission proving
a complete failure。 Even when raids upon certain places
such as Dusseldorf； Friedrichshafen or Cuxhaven are planned；
complete dependence is not placed on one individual。 The machine
is accompanied； so that the possibility of the appointed task
being consummated is transformed almost into a certainty。
The French flying men work upon broadly similar lines。 Their
fleet is divided into small squadrons each numbering four； six；
or more machines； according to the nature of the contemplated
task。 Each airman is given an area of territory which is to be
reconnoitred thoroughly。 In this way perhaps one hundred or more
miles of the enemy's front are searched for information at one
and the same time。 The units of the squadron start out； each
taking the appointed direction according to the preconceived
plan； and each steering by the aid of compass and map。 They are
urged to complete the work with all speed and to return to a
secret rendezvous。
Later the air is alive with the whirring of motors。 The machines
are coming back and all converging to one point。 They vol…plane
to the earth and gracefully settle down within a short distance
of each other at the rendezvous。 The pilots collect and each
relates the intelligence he has gained。 The data are collated
and in this manner the General Staff is able to learn exactly
what is transpiring over a long stretch of the hostile lines； and
a considerable distance to the rear of his advance works。
Possibly five hundred square miles have been reconnoitred in this
manner。 Troops have been massed here； lines of communication
extend somewhere else； while convoys are moving at a third place。
But all has been observed； and the commanding officer is in a
position to re…arrange his forces accordingly。 It is a
remarkable example of method in military tactics and strategy；
and conveys a striking idea of the degree to which aerial
operations have been organised。
After due deliberation it is decided that the convoys shall be
raided； or that massed troops shall be thrown into confusion； if
not dispersed。 The squadron is ordered to prepare for another
aerial journey。 The roads along which the convoys are moving are
indicated upon the map； or the position of the massed troops in
bivouac is similarly shown。 The airmen load their machines with
a full charge of bombs。 When all is ready the leader ascends；
followed in rapid succession by the other units； and they whirr
through the air in single file。 It now becomes a grim game of
follow…my…leader。
The leader detects the convoy； swoops down； suddenly launches his
missiles； and re…ascends。 He does not deviate a foot from his
path to observe the effects of his discharge； as the succeeding
aeroplane is close behind him。 If the leader has missed then the
next airman may correct his error。 One after another the
machines repeat the manoeuvre； in precisely the same manner as
the units of a battleship squadron emulate the leading vessel
when attacking the foe。 The tactical evolutions have been laid
down； and there is rigid adherence thereto； because only thereby
may success be achieved。 When the last war…plane has completed
its work； the leader swings round and repeats the dash upon the
foe。 A hail of bullets may scream around the men in the air； but
one and all follow faithfully in the leader's trail。 One or more
machines may fail in the attack； and may even meet with disaster；
but nothing interferes with the movements of the squadron as a
whole。 It is the homogeneity of the attacking fleet which tells；
and which undermines the moral of the enemy； even if it does not
wreak decisive material devastation。 The work accomplished to
the best of their ability； the airmen speed back to their lines
in the same formation。
At first sight reconnoitring from aloft may appear a simple
operation； but a little reflection will reveal the difficulties
and arduousness of the work。 The observer； whether he be
specially deputed； or whether the work be placed in the hand of
the pilot himselfin this event the operation is rendered
additionally trying； as he also has to attend to his machine
must keep his eyes glued to the ground beneath and at the same
time be able to read the configuration of the panorama revealed
to him。 He must also keep in touch with his map and compass； so
as to be positive of his position and direction。 He must be a
first…class judge of distances and heights。
When flying rapidly at a height of 4；000 feet or more； the
country below appears as a perfect plane； or flat stretch；
although as a matter of fact it may be extremely undulating。
Consequently； it is by no means a simple matter to distinguish
eminences and depressions； or to determine the respective and
relative heights of hills。
If a rough sketch is required； the observer must be rapid in
thought； quick in determination； and facile with his pencil； as
the machine； no matter how it may be slowed down； is moving at a
relatively high speed。 He must consult his map and compass
frequently； since an airman who loses his bearings is useless to
his commander…in…chief。 He must have an eagle eye； so as to be
able to search the country unfolded below； in order to gather all
the information which is likely to be of value to his superior
officers。 He must be able to judge accurately the numb