The Spider Web. By P. I. X. (Blackwood. 10s. 6d.
net.)— This well-written and highly interesting book describes the work of the flying-boats which from their base at Felixstowe patrolled the North Sea and dropped bombs on 'U '.boats. The "spider web" was an area, sixty miles across, with the North Hinder Lightship as the centre. The flying-boats regularly patrolled the different sectors of this area, playing spider to the
'-boat fly, reported the enemy's movements, and attacked him whenever they had an opportunity. Their breath- less adventures are cleverly told. During the year 1917 the squadron sighted forty-seven 'U '-boats and bombed twenty- five, besides destroying seaplanes and bringing down Zeppelin ' L.53 ' off the Dutch coast. Once at least a flying-boat pilot lost himself and unwittingly caused the Thames defences twice in a night to open a furious bombardment and to report the approach of enemy aircraft to London, but he returned safely.
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