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    In the battles of the future, as in the past, it is the infantry on whose success or failure depends the result of the battle. But as in normal open warfare of the past, the initial contact was made and the initial encounters fought by cavalry, the preliminary engagements to future battles will unquestionably be fought by masses of independent air forces, with supremacy in the air as the prize of victory. If either side obtains complete control of the air it will have as its reward complete knowledge of the enemy's movements and dispositions, with ignorance equally complete fronting it; it will have a formidable attacking force that can be quickly hurled at any point in the line, withdrawn, and again sent in and which can incline victory one way or the other; it will have a force in hand that can for the pursuit alone, render invaluable services. With such odds in his favor a commander need indeed have little fear of the outcome. Complete control of the air will in practice seldom be achieved. But supremacy can be achieved, marked in its effect, and it will go to that side whose air forces excell [[excel]] in size and "firness [[fitness]] to win".
    That can be secured only by the most careful preparation before the outbreak of war. The World War ended in victory. Entering the fight at a time when the two giant contestants were nearing the point of exhaustion, America undoubtedly gave the increment of strength necessary to win. In this limited sense, Americans can indeed boast they won the war, though the burden of fighting they bore was but a small part of that borne by our allies. The unthinking will deduce from the result achieved, added proofs of our invincibility. Little consideration will be given the protection the British Navy has afforded us throughout the years. Little thought will be spent on the years that France beat back the foe, while

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