Such conditions must react against the attempt
of an aerial invasion in force, unless it be made in the
character of the last throw by a desperate gambler, with good
fortune favouring the dash to a certain degree. But lesser and
more insignificant Zeppelin raids are likely to be somewhat
frequent, and to be made at every favourable climatic
opportunity.
CHAPTER VII
AEROPLANES OF WAR
Owing to the fertility of inventors and the resultant
multiplicity of designs it is impossible to describe every type
of heavier-than-air machine which has been submitted to the
exacting requirements of military duty. The variety is infinite
and the salient fact has already been established that many
of the models which have proved reliable and efficient under
normal conditions are unsuited to military operations. The early
days of the war enabled those of doubtful value to be eliminated,
the result being that those machines which are now in use
represent the survival of the fittest. Experience has
furthermore emphasised the necessity of reducing the number of
types to the absolute minimum. This weeding-out process is being
continued and there is no doubt that by the time the war is
concluded the number of approved types of aeroplanes of military
value will have been reduced to a score or less.
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