First Sea Lord.
Third Sea Lord.
Chief of Staff.
Director of Naval Ordnance.
Director of Air Division.
There can be no question of defending London by artillery against aerial attack. It is quite impossible to cover so vast an area; and if London, why not every other city? Defence against aircraft by guns is limited absolutely to points of military value....
Far more important than London are the vulnerable points in the Medway and at Dover and Portsmouth. Oil-tanks, power-houses, lock-gates, magazines, airship sheds, all require to have their aerial guns increased in number. Portsmouth in particular requires attention now that enemy’s territory has come so near.
Aerial searchlights must be provided in connection with every group of guns....
But, after all, the great defence against aerial menace is to attack the enemy’s aircraft as near as possible to their point of departure. Director of Air Division has already received directions on this. The principle is as follows:—
(a) A strong oversea force of aeroplanes to deny the French and Belgian coasts to the enemy’s aircraft, and to attack all Zeppelins and air bases or temporary air bases which it may be sought to establish, and which are in reach.