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activities； although strange to relate； in the early days of the
war； the work accomplished by the British craft； despite their
comparatively low speed and small dimensions； excelled in value
that achieved by the warplanes。 This was particularly noticeable
in matters pertaining to reconnaissance； more especially at
night； when the British vessels often remained for hours together
in the air； manoeuvring over the hostile lines； and gathering
invaluable information as to the disposition and movements
of the opposing forces。
But it is probably in connection with naval operations that the
British aerial fleet excels。 The waterplanes have established
their supremacy over the naval dirigible in a striking manner。
British endeavour fostered the waterplane movement and has
carried it to a high degree of perfection。 The waterplane is not
primarily designed to perform long flights； although such may be
carried out if the exigencies demand。 The practice of deputing
certain vessels to art as 〃parent ships〃 to a covey of
waterplanes has proved as successful in practice； as in theory。
Again； the arrangements for conveying these machines by such
means to a rendezvous； and there putting them into the water to
complete a certain duty； have been triumphantly vindicated。
At the time this idea was embraced it met with a certain degree
of hostile criticism： it was argued that the association of the
two fighting； machines would tend towards confusion； and impair
the efficiency of both。
Practice has refuted this theory。 The British aerial raids upon
Cuxhaven and other places would have been impossible； and
probably valueless as an effective move； but for the fact that it
was possible to release the machines from a certain point upon
the open sea； within easy reach of the cooperating naval
squadron。 True； the latter was exposed to hostile attack from
submarines； but as results proved this was easy to repel。 The
aircraft were enabled to return to their base； as represented by
the rendezvous； to be picked up； and to communicate the
intelligence gained from their flight to the authorities in a
shorter period of time than would have been possible under any
other circumstances； while the risk to the airmen was
proportionately reduced。
The fact that the belligerents have built up such huge aerial
navies conclusively proves that the military value of the Fourth
Arm has been fully appreciated。 From the results so far achieved
there is every indication that activity in this direction
will be increased rather than diminished。
End