There is one phase of aerial activity which remains to be
demonstrated. This is the utilisation of aerial craft by the
defenders of a besieged position such as a ring of fortifications
or fortified city. The utility of the Fourth Arm in this
province has been the subject of considerable speculation.
Expert opinion maintains that the advantage in this particular
connection would rest with the besiegers. The latter would be
able to ascertain the character of the defences and the defending
gun-force, by means of the aerial scout, who would prove of
inestimable value in directing the fire of the besieging forces.
On the other hand it is maintained that an aerial fleet would be
useless to the beleaguered. In the first place the latter would
experience grave difficulties in ascertaining the positions of
the attacking and fortress-reducing artillery, inasmuch as this
could be masked effectively, and it is thought that the aerial
force of the besieged would be speedily reduced to impotence,
since it would be subjected to an effective concentrated fire
from the ring of besieging anti-aircraft guns and other weapons.
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