accordingly will probably need to be divided into divisional and independent commands. Thus there is the machinery of strategic reconnaissance, whose function it is to inform the headquarters staff of the main disposition and movements of the enemy's forces, positions of his depots, magazines, etc., points of concentration and strength of his reserves, and last, but not least, his main and perhaps auxiliary lines of communication. On the tactical side there are similarly many duties to be carried out, analogous to those at present performed by cavalry; there are also duties which must be regarded as new, brought into being by the peculiar power and capacity of the aeronautical Arm; these are, in the main, such as would indicate control by the divisional command.
§ 9. The Strategic Scout and its Duties. The strategic value of the aeroplane depends mainly upon its utility for the purpose of reconnaissance; briefly it is its value as an informer, rather than as a fighter, that is of service to the headquarters staff. The duties of a machine thus acting are necessarily of an entirely different character from those of a machine employed in the minor operations of the field, whether for tactical scouting, direction of gun-fire, or otherwise. Firstly, the flight range or radius, as determined by petrol capacity, is a far more important factor in its design, since it will require to operate over a large area, and to cover long distances over the enemy's territory, where any renewal of fuel supply is impossible; secondly, its flight speed must be such as to render it reasonably secure against pursuit. Anything serious in the direction of armour or armament will be entirely out of place, since under no circum1 stances will such a machine be required to act in a combative capacity; its defence lies in its speed. It appears from all reports that the duties in question are such as to require an observer (probably a staff officer)
