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17.

followed by the attack aviation, which attacks at low altitude, clearing the decks of searchlights, anti-aircraft and its operating personnel, and disrupting the fire control system. Very little opposition will then be encountered by the light bombardment which follows carrying bobs up to 2,000 pounds. These bombs will penetrate to the armored deck, destroying the personnel and the secondary batteries. In turn follow the heavy bombardment, carrying bombs weighing from 2,000 to 4,000 pounds, capable of sinking the present battleship, as was demonstrated in the bombing maneuvers last summer. You will notice that our surveillance and observation planes are equipped with radio providing communication with the shore station.

The third phase shows the use of the air service in the control and adjustment of seacoast batteries. Communication between the planes and batteries is obtained by radio, panels, and when necessary by dropped messages.

This slide illustrates the system of communication and employment of observation planer in the bombing problem last summer. It covers a coast line of about 200 miles. You will note that in addition to our control station, sub-airdromes equipped with radio are established at these points along the coast. These provide refilling points and can be used as operating bases, providing a shorter flight for the area to be covered than would be the case of planes operating from the central airdrome. With the planes which we had available, we could operate to a distance of 200 miles off the coast.