He does not deviate a foot from his
path to observe the effects of his discharge, as the succeeding
aeroplane is close behind him. If the leader has missed then the
next airman may correct his error. One after another the
machines repeat the manoeuvre, in precisely the same manner as
the units of a battleship squadron emulate the leading vessel
when attacking the foe. The tactical evolutions have been laid
down, and there is rigid adherence thereto, because only thereby
may success be achieved. When the last war-plane has completed
its work, the leader swings round and repeats the dash upon the
foe. A hail of bullets may scream around the men in the air, but
one and all follow faithfully in the leader's trail. One or more
machines may fail in the attack, and may even meet with disaster,
but nothing interferes with the movements of the squadron as a
whole. It is the homogeneity of the attacking fleet which tells,
and which undermines the moral of the enemy, even if it does not
wreak decisive material devastation. The work accomplished to
the best of their ability, the airmen speed back to their lines
in the same formation.
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