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remain true to the end. Nor is it our purpose to assert that the airplane may replace the infantry or cavalry in the decisive blow that determines the victory. But as a means of attack, as an effective portion of the mass delivering the decisive blow, the airplane in future wars will almost surely increase in importance as an aid to the infantry.

It's sphere of effective action is to some extent limited. yet science has made rapid progress and machines of today can accomplish things considered impossible a few years ago. An airplane can now take the air under extraordinarily unfavorable conditions. But for it to take an effective part in the battle there must be visibility. Days of low hanging clouds and fog temporarily render the air forces useless. for one must have a fair limit of vision to fly. This disadvantage, however, is a much more serious matter in France or England than in America where the proportion of sunshiny days is so much greater. So that the part the air forces may play is an American theatre of war would be of greater importance. 

Obviously too, the airplane is at a disadvantage where the hostile troops can take cover. This is a matter of great interest to the infantryman, also. But unquestionably numerous cases will occur where troops could laugh at the attacks of airplanes, yet prove easy victims to advancing infantry. For the airplane cannot follow the foe to every retreat.

But against these disadvantages may be considered its truly extraordimoral effect. The harassed enemy believes himself able to escape, if the worse comes to worse, from a foe no speedier than himself; this becomes futile where that foe is mounted on an airplane. With a hostile man afoot the infantryman feels himself equal, he can meet him man to man in fair fight:

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