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enemy fleet that can be brought against it, as an inferior fleet possesses little power to delay the advance of a superior enemy, which can approach from any direction in the sea area and can cover great distances in a single day.

In the case of the Air Force, it must meet the enemy, not in a few days, but in a few hours. Its full striking power must be ready for instant use. If it is inferior to the enemy, no defensive positions exist behind which it can take shelter, and since the enemy can approach from any and all directions, it cannot be used to protect important centers as this would necessitate dividing it up into small forces which could be easily defeated. Unless it can be placed underground, it cannot occupy a safe refuge except by withdrawing out of the range of enemy aircraft. If this is done it merely results in leaving the country and its other means of defense exposed to aerial attack, a situation that public opinion would not countenance, and, therefore, it would be forced to take the air against superior and overwhelming numbers.

Consequently, like the Navy, it must be sufficiently strong in time of peace to fight on equal terms with any force that may be brought against it, and must under the general defensive role adopt the offensive, not only for its own protection, but for the protection of the ground forces and the country, while the mobilization of the armed forces is in progress. If the Navy is defeated, some measure of protection remains in the country through the ground forces. If the Air Force is defeated, not only the ground means of defense but the entire country is laid open to aerial attack.



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