Photograph by International Film Service 

 AT THE THROTTLE ON BOARD A FRENCH AIR CRUISER I BEE0W IS A DESTROYER 



UNDER WAY 



Airships are more useful for sea-patrol work than they are over land, as the Germans 

 have discovered' to their cost. Near the coast they guard channels or detect mines and act 

 in concert with warships against enemy U-boats. French dirigibles are fitted with at least 

 two motors, strong and light, which give them great speed and their petrol supply insures 

 them an extensive range of action. 



diabolical furnaces in which were forged 

 new implements of war and the power- 

 ful modern armaments. 



The preparation, conduct, and results 

 of an offensive military operation today 

 bear but a faint resemblance to those of 

 a battle at the opening of hostilities. 



The extraordinarily effective applica- 

 tion of aircraft to the uses of war has 

 greatly accelerated this radical transfor- 

 mation. Today aviation reigns supreme 

 over the field of battle, controlling the 

 faintest pulsations of the great volcano. 



The object of the present discussion is 

 to trace the various phases of its evolu- 

 tion and, although it would be particu- 

 larly bold to prophesy in the matter of 

 military operations, to suggest the de- 

 cisive influence for victory that the en- 

 trance of the American squadrons on 

 the French front may have. 



There are, at the present time, three 



branches of aviation which differ in the 

 duties performed, in the machines used, 

 and in the armament provided. 

 These are : 



1. The Divisional or Reconnaissance 

 Aviation, a valuable ally of the staff it 

 serves, of the batteries whose firing it 

 directs, of the infantry it assists in lead- 

 ing during the battle. 



2. The Aviation of Combat, younger 

 sister of the first and the most faithful 

 ally she has for her protection from the 

 aggressions of hostile airplaines. "At- 

 tack the boche, down him, or compel 

 him to flee," is its clearly offensive motto. 



3. The Aviation of Bombardment, 

 hitherto chiefly employed in reprisals for 

 the aerial raids of the enemy, but now 

 called to a much greater and perhaps a 

 decisive role. 



Although essentially distinct, these three 

 branches of aviation can only be effec- 



