Von Kluck does not quote these air reports. But he says enough to show that he was misled chiefly by his own preconceptions. Hope told a flattering tale, and he seems to have been possessed by the idea that the British army would be tempted into the fortress of Maubeuge. The whole body of information which on any one day was obtained from the reconnaissances of the Royal Flying Corps could be set out in detail only by quoting all the reports in full. That would be too cumbrous a method of writing history. The reports contain much that is comparatively insignificant. But the reader of this book may desire to know exactly what an air report is like, and his curiosity shall be gratified. Here is the report, of no special tactical significance, but full of incident, of a long air reconnaissance made by Lieutenant G. F. Pretyman and Major L. B. Boyd-Moss in a machine of No. 3 Squadron, on the day of the battle of Le Cateau: _No. of Reconnaissance_: 57. _Hour Started_: 11.10 a.m. _Date_: 26.8.1914. _Hour Ended_: 1.40 p.m. _Aeroplane No._: 387. _Pilot_: Lieutenant G. F. Pretyman. _Observer_: Major L. B. Boyd-Moss. _Time._ _Place._ _Observation._ 11.50 Honnechy. Gun-fire and shells bursting all along the line from Honnechy towards Cambrai. Caudry partly in flames. 11.52 Le Cateau. Burning. Howitzers open fire on us. Artillery moving through village of Ors. Several motor-cars moving south through Croix. 11.55 Foret de Big column of troops moving along Mormal. the road running along western edge of the forest. Head at Englefontaine--Rear at point where the branch road leads off to Gommegnies. Artillery moving through centre of forest towards Landrecies. 12.0 Le Quesnoy. Full of troops. 12.5 Bavai. Scattered parties of troops and wagons on all roads leading N. No big columns. 12.15 Blaugies. Blocked with transport. Dropped bomb into transport parked 1/2 mile S. of village. Transport stretching along the road from Dour to Houdain (not closed up--big intervals). 12.40 Wargnies. Can make very little progress against wind. 12.50 Saultain. Transport from Saultain to Preseau moving south. 12.59 Valenciennes. All roads leading E.-N.E. and S.E. clear. 1.5 Valenciennes. No troops _visible_ in town.