The progress of the airman is followed by two officers at the
base from which he started. One is equipped with the director,
while the second takes the range. Directly this has been found
as a result of calculation, the guns are laid ready for firing.
In those cases where the enemy's artillery is concealed perhaps
behind a hill, the airman is of incalculable value, inasmuch as
he is able to reveal a position which otherwise would have to be
found by considerable haphazard firing, and which, even if
followed by a captive balloon anchored above the firing point,
might resist correction.
The accuracy of the airman's work in communicating the range has
been responsible for the high efficiency of the British and
French artillery. The latter, with the 75 millimetre
quick-firing gun, is particularly adapted to following up the
results of the aeroplane's reconnaissance, especially with the
system of rafale fire, because the whole position can be searched
through and through within a minute or two. According to
information which has been given to me by our artillery officers,
the British system also has proved disastrous to the enemy.
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