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AIRCRAFT IN COAST DEFENSE

The definition of "coast defense," as given in the Joint Army and Navy Action in Coast Defense, published in 1920, states: "Coast defense includes dispositions and operations having for their object the repulse of a hostile attack upon any portion of the seacoast or the continental United States, the Panama Canal, or the insular possessions, or upon naval vessels or merchant shipping in or off harbors or in coast-wise sea lanes." This limits coast defense to the immediate vicinity of the coast-line itself, and does not take advantage of the fact that the air force can attack the enemy before he comes within range of the coast-line itself.

the reports of the Joint Army and Navy Board on the results of the aviation and ordnance tests against the ex-German warships during June and July, 1921, states "aircraft carrying high capacity, high explosive bombs of sufficient size have adequate offensive power to sink or seriously damage any naval vessel at present constructed, provided such projectiles can be placed in the water close alongside the vessel. Furthermore, it will be difficult, if not impossible to build any the of vessel of sufficient strength to withstand the destructive force that can be obtained with the largest bombs that airplanes may be able to carry from shore bases or sheltered harbors." It will be noted that the effect of bombs is limited to those dropped close alongside the ship. In September, 1923, while bombing the United States ship VIRGINIA, direct hits were obtained by two 1100-lb. bombs from an altitude of 3500 ft., one striking the vessel near the stern, midships, ripping the

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There seems to be some doodles on this page. I'm not sure if this qualifies as an "image."