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       It must be borne in mind that the successful sinking of these naval vessels by bombardment aircraft was not accomplished by the Navy but by the Army aircraft operating from shore bases; that a battle fleet can under circumstances be successfully opposed by an Air Force and that our fleet is no longer the sole offensive weapon against the enemy fleet.

       For centuries England has been free from any threat of attack due to the fact that she has controlled the sea. Now, however, she must rely upon air power. Should a continental power attack England, a military invasion could not succeed, for the present range of aircraft would allow such a force to be destroyed by the Air Force more effectively and much more economically. If a military invasion were ever attempted, the hostile convoy could be located and attacked before it could ever reach the shores. In fact, such a convoy, if the embarkation point is within the radius of action of aircraft, could be located and attacked before it got under way, but if it should succeed in reaching the English coast, the time taken to disembark a large force would be so great that it could be completely destroyed before it could be accomplished.

        The value of an Air Force to a country lies in keeping its organization intact and capable of taking air in great numbers. Our present organization provides for an Air Corps as a combatant branch of the Army, with a provision in its organization for an Air Force. Great Britain and Italy have separate Air Forces co-equal with the Army and Navy. France has recently concentrated her air activities under an Air Ministry. General Mason M. Patrick, Retired, former Chief of the Air Corps, has
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