ABSTRACT
Sykes spent the next six days talking to Army and Navy commanders, inspecting aerial operations, and participating in aerial reconnaissance in a kite balloon flown off H M S Manica to support the gunnery attacks on Chanak by H M S Lord Nelson.13 He visited the Army at Helles and the Anzacs and discussed their predicament with his friend, Lieutenant-General William R. Birdwood, G O C Anzac Corps.14 On 9 July Sykes sent his assessment back to Britain: the R N A S needed to be reorganized, relocated and strengthened.15 Sykes reported that the need for aerial reconnaissance was Very real and urgent ' , and he intimated that, with adequate support, the R N A S at Gallipoli could help turn the campaign into a success.16
