In the present battle on the Eastern Front time is all important and any delay imposed on the move of these reinforcements may have a major and possibly even a decisive effect on Russian operations. 6. We do not, in this paper, attempt to assess operational factors which might limit the effectiveness of air bombing on communications aimed at imposing this delay. This aspect of the matter will, we understand, be dealt with in a covering memorandum by the Air Staff. We, therefore, deal only in broad outline with the various areas mentioned above.