Air power is the most difficult of military force to measure or even express in precise terms.

The Navy can lose us the war, but only the Air Force can win it. Therefore our supreme effort must be to gain overwhelming mastery in the Air. In no other way at present visible can we hope to overcome the immense military power of Germany.

Air power may either end war or end civilization.

The great defence against aerial menace is to attack the enemy's aircraft as near as possible to their point of departure.

The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their prowess and by their devotion.

Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence.