Serving at first for strategic
reconnaissance, and then almost exclusively for regulating artillery
fire, the aerial forces now performed complex and efficient service for
every branch of the army. By means of aerial photography they furnished
exact knowledge of the ground and of the enemy's defenses, thus
preceding the execution of military operations. They regulated artillery
fire, followed the program laid down for the destruction of the enemy,
and supplied such information as was necessary to set the time for the
attack. They then accompanied the infantry in the attack, observed its
progress, located the conquered positions, revealed the situation of the
enemy's new lines, betrayed his defensive works, and announced his
reinforcements and his counter-attacks. They were the conducting wire
between the command, the artillery, and the troops, and everybody felt
them to be sure and faithful allies, for they were able to see and know,
to speak and warn. But the air forces, during all their useful missions,
were themselves in need of protection, and there must be no enemy
airplanes about if they were to make their observations in security.
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