range, in addition to which it is, in effect, a disappearing target. If one is tempted to be over-influenced by the obvious danger of such tactics, it is well to recall the exploits carried out as a matter of ordinary experience by cavalry under fire, without the advantage of armoured protection, while presenting a target (man and horse) something like 20&nbsq. ft, in area, and with a speed contemptibly small in comparison with that of flight. It is only necessary clearly to admit that in this form of fighting we may have to reckon with serious losses of men and machines, not occasional losses, as at present, but rather such as can be expressed as a percentage of the force engaged.
The further reduction of altitude now under discussion means that rifle-fire must be faced literally at muzzle velocity, and corresponding provision made in the thickness of the armour. For the pointed Mauser bullet, representing the maximum requirement of to-day, the thickness of plate needed is scarcely less than ⅜ in., and the weight 13 lb, or 14 lb, per sq. ft. Evidently the question of weight of armour will become a difficulty of a most serious character, and no pretence can be made to give complete protection; the area must be cut down to an absolute minimum.
§ 15. The Machine-Gun in the Service of the Aeronautical Arm. Rapidity of fire to the aeronautical gunner is a matter of first importance; the time during which he has the enemy under fire is necessarily brief, and in that time he must do the maximum injury possible; consequently amongst present existing weapons we may regard the machine-gun as without rival. The degree of accuracy attainable in firing with a machine-gun from an aeroplane depends primarily upon the weapon and the man, as in every other kind of shooting, but in addition the steadiness of the aeroplane
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