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The discussion of the radius of action of aeroplanes presented in § 125 and 126, and as affecting the Naval outlook in § 128, may be helpfully illuminated by the accompanying sketch map (Fig. 21).

This map gives in outline the British Isles and the nearest adjacent portions of the Continental littoral; a few towns and places, important from the present standpoint, are indicated by their initial letters (block capitals) from which there will be no difficulty in identification. Positions have been chosen on salient points of the Continental coast, and indicated by circles identified by numerals, thus:—

From the above points as centres, arcs of circles hare been struck of 400 miles radius, as indicating the probable extreme radius or limit of raid by aeroplane. It is to be understood that raids by aeroplane at so great a radius in the face of reasonably good defensive measures will rarely be pushed home, and still more rarely successful. We may take it that any point or place in or beyond this radius is to be regarded as out of the effective reach of the enemy, and points 50 or 100 miles within this as reasonably safe. Thus, referring to the figure, station 5 may be ignored as not seriously threatening any point of importance not otherwise imperilled. The only station