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travels submerged。 To this end the German naval authorities
conducted a series of elaborate and interesting experiments off
the island of Heligoland。 As is well known； when one is directly
above a stretch of shallow water； the bottom of the latter can be
seen quite distinctly。 Consequentiy； it was decided to employ
aerial craft as detectives。 Both the aeroplane and the dirigible
took part in these experiments； being flown at varying heights；
while the submarine was maneouvred at different depths immediately
below。 The sum of these investigations proved conclusively that
a submarine may be detected from aloft when moving at a depth of
from 30 to 40 feet。 The outline of the submerged craft is
certainly somewhat blurred； but nevertheless it is sufficiently
distinct to enable its identity to be determined really against
the background or bottom of the sea。 To combat this detection
from an aerial position it will be necessary inter alia to evolve
a more harmonious or protective colour…scheme for the submarine。
Their investigations were responsible for the inauguration of the
elaborate German aerial patrol of harbours； the base for such
aerial operations being established upon the island of
Heligoland。
So far the stern test of war as applied to the science of
aeronautics has emphasised the fact that as a naval unit the
dirigible is a complete failure。 Whether experience will bring
about a modification of these views time alone will show； but it
is certain that existing principles of design will have to
undergo a radical revision to achieve any notable results。 The
aeroplane alone has proved successful in this domain； and it is
upon this type of aerial craft that dependence will have to be
placed。
CHAPTER XIX
THE NAVIES of THE AIR
Less than three years ago the momentous and spectacular race
among the Powers of Europe for the supremacy of the air began。
At first the struggle was confined to two rivalsFrance and
Germanybut as time progressed and the importance of aerial
fleets was recognised； other nations； notably Great Britain；
entered the field。
Germany obtained an advantage。 Experiment and research were
taken up at a point which had been reached by French effort；
further experiments and researches were carried out in German
circles with secret and feverish haste； with the result that
within a short time a pronounced degree of efficiency according
to German ideals had been attained。 The degree of perfection
achieved was not regarded with mere academic interest； it marked
the parting of the ways： the point where scientific endeavour com
manded practical appreciation by turning the success of the
laboratory and aerodrome into the channel of commercial
manufacture。 In other words； systematic and wholesale production
was undertaken upon an extensive scale。 The component parts were
standardised and arrangements were completed with various
establishments possessed of the most suitable machinery to
perfect a programme for turning out aeronautical requirements in
a steady； continuous stream from the moment the crisis developed。
The wisdom of completing these arrangements in anticipation is
now apparent。 Upon the outbreak of hostilities many German
establishments devoted to the production of articles required in
the infinite ramifications of commerce found themselves deprived
of their markets； but there was no risk that their large plants
would be brought to a standstill： the Government ordered the
manufacture of aeroplane parts and motors upon an extensive
scale。 In this manner not only were the industrial
establishments kept going； but their production of aeronautical
requirements relieved those organisations devoted to the
manufacture of armaments； so that the whole resources and
facilities of these could be concentrated upon the supply of
munitions of war。
In France the air…fleet； although extensive upon the outbreak of
war； was somewhat heterogeneous。 Experiment was still being
pursued： no type had met with definite official recognition； the
result being that no arrangements had been completed for the
production of one or more standard types upon an elaborate scale
comparable with that maintained by Germany。 In fact some six
months after the outbreak of war there was an appreciable lack of
precision on this point in French military。 Many of the types
which had established their success were forbidden by military
decree as mentioned in a previous chapter； while manufacturing
arrangements were still somewhat chaotic。
Great Britain was still more backward in the new movement。 But
this state of affairs was in a measure due to the division of the
Fourth Arm among the two services。 A well…organised Government
manufactory for the production of aeroplanes and other aircraft
necessities had been established； while the private manufacturers
had completed preparations for wholesale production。 But it was
not until the Admiralty accepted responsibility for the aerial
service that work was essayed in grim earnest。
The allocation of the aerial responsibilities of Great Britain to
the Admiralty was a wise move。 Experience has revealed the
advantages accruing from the perfection of homogeneous squadrons
upon the water； that is to say groups of ships which are
virtually sister…craft of identical speed； armament； and so on；
thus enabling the whole to act together as a complete effective
unit。 As this plan had proved so successful upon the water； the
Admiralty decided to apply it to the fleet designed for service
in the air above。
At the time this plan of campaign was definitely settled Great
Britain as an aerial power was a long way behind her most
fomidable rival； but strenuous efforts were made to reduce the
handicap； and within a short while the greater part of this
leeway had been made up。 Upon the outbreak of war Great Britain
undoubtedly was inferior to Germany in point of numbers of
aircraft； but the latter Power was completely outclassed in
efficiency； and from the point of view of PERSONNEL。 The British
had developed the waterplane as an essential auxiliary to naval
operations； and here was in advance of her rival； who had
practically neglected this line of eeperiment and evolution；
resting secure in the assurance of her advisers that the huge
dirigibles would be adequate for all exigencies on the water。
Indeed； when war was declared； all the Powers were found more or
less wanting so far as their aerial fleets were concerned。 If
Germany's huge aerial navy had been in readiness for instant service
when she invaded Belgium； she would have overcome that little
country's resistance in a far shorter time and with much less
waste of life。 It was the Belgians who first brought home to the
belligerents the prominent part that aircraft were destined to
play in war； and the military possibilities of the aeroplane。
True； the Belgians had a