Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-14
AVIATION's PART IN MODERN WARFARE
Ono or tho Days Best Cartoons.

A most important measure affecting
not only the Signal Corps. but the
army in general. was authorized by
the act OF Congress approsod July IS.
1914. to increase tho efficiency OF the
ovintion service OF the army. ana for
other purposes, says the report OF
the chief signal officer Of the army 10
the Secretary OF War. Under this act
the Signal Corps IL increased by the
addition Of an aviation section, in
stfhneth not To exceed sixty officers
and $50 enlisted men at present the
strength OF tho aviation section Of
the Signal Corps under this act Is a
officers. rs enlisted mon and z civilian
employees, With several applications for
this service under consideration.
The Importance OF this measure, the
effect OF which iH TO create n flying
corps Cor the army, cannot BIO exag-
gcrated. for existing conditions. show
that whatever may be the conclusions
drawn as to tho use Of aircraft for
to the importance OF the diriglblc.
there can be no doubt OF the value OF
tho aeroplnne In rapid and long. range
reconnaissance work and of It's power
TO sccurc and to transmit by radio.
visual signals of direct flight infor-
nation OF Importance 10 armies in tho
field. so truo Ia this that it seems
probable the aeroplane and. TO some
smaller degree, all aircraft have al
tered. not the principles OF strategy,
which ure immutablo. but the theory
and application of grand tactics IT
now appears that tho actual game OF
war Is played openly with cards laid
on tho table. and opportunity no long
or Is given for Inference as to con-
cealed movements or for snrprlse, per-
haps not even for tho cScroisc OF the
high military quality OF Anticipation
,.T Hn To ~ Il
versary. II is now recognized that the
possibility OF brilliant and unexpected
blows ana surprises by cnterprsing
commanders has been largely clint
mated from modern operations or war
by tho Information supplied by av;a-
tors. II is proved Tint the modern air
craft lays open To the field OF mental
view the whole Oh the Immediate thea
ire OF war. and that the commander
view reaches far beyond tho limits of
actual vision of troops. The aircraft
sees ana Indicates tho larger opera {.
tions Of war and points out 10 the
slowly moving troops on the ground
not only tho points to be attacked or
defended. but 10 Reconnaissance troops,
especially the cavalry, the objective to
be sought the Identities to be searched
and the character OF information TO
be obtained.
persede, nor can 1t ever gupersede. de-
tailed information which can be &C.
quired only by close observation, by
contact, ana by development Of the
oneny's> forces and positions. This Is
tho work of tho troops In the field;
but the aircraft does indicate to either
commander the character, location and
general disposition of opposing forces.
Not only If the aeroplane invaluable
in locating the position of the enemy.
but It has especial value to com
mnnder in finding his own troops, in
keeping him informed when move
ments are taking place. Of the position
of his tanks and centre, his outposts
his cavalry. OF the positions attained
by any detached body-in short. OF
keeping him constantly in touch with
the locations and movements Of all his
troops undor the changing conditions
OF war
This much is proved. but 1t does not
follow that the aircraft curtails the
work OF reconnaissance OF other arms
OF the service, the infantry, the Signal
Corps. and moro especially. the cavalry.
on the contrary II extends the useful
ness and power of all. for IL the gen
cral field OF reconnaissance Is outlined,
it IS obvious that the cavalry or in
fantiy can moro readily strike its OBJ
jcctivc and more quickly and accurate
ly obtain information regarding any
particular point than II Obliged un-
sceingly to search the whole field OF
operations for locations and forces re-
gardng which an intimate knowledge
Is desired. In other words, by aid or
aircraft, and more especially OF the
aeroplane, a reconnaissance by troops
moves less in the dark, knows bottor
what to look for and learn In detail,
and loses less time and effort In nc
complaining the object sought. No
move Of concentration from flank or
centre. no development OF wing nor
reinforcement OF weak position.
should remain unknown to the ad-
Versary in the case where he possesses
a thoroughly efficient dying corps IT
would seem. therefore, that not only
has. tho power of all reconnaissance
troops been Increased by tho aircraft,
but the need and Importance of tho
cavalry in Reconnaissance work has not
been lessened, but, on the contrary, has
been greatly Increased by tho aero
plane.
In addition TO the influence now eS-
erted by aircraft OH grand operations,
events now appear to show that Its
valu5 In more detailed operations Ia
great, and may increase In the future.
to enormous proportions. 1t is now
vol established that the accuracy,