3.7 War in the Air, 1914-1918
Aircraft development
Orville and Wilbur Wright had managed to get an aeroplane airborne in 1903.
By 1914, aircraft development had taken huge strides and all the major powers
realised aircraft’s military potential
Nevertheless, the aircraft available to both sides in 1914 were limited. The
British FE-2a, for example, could manage a top speed of no more than 88kph
(55mph)
In 1914, Britain had 113 aircrafts, France 160 and Germany 246
Aerial reconnaissance
The main use of aircraft was for reconnaissance. Over 90% of aerial sorties
flown throughout the war were reconnaissance missions.
The role of allied airmen in detecting German troop movements that led to the
Battle of the Marne demonstrated the aeroplane’s value.
When trench warfare began in 1914, aircraft were used to spot enemy artillery,
while aerial photographic reconnaissance enabled accurate maps of enemy
trenches to be created.
Reconnaissance aircraft became increasing sophisticated:
• Reconnaissance reports were increasingly delivered y radio rather
than in person
• Bulky hand-held cameras gave way to smaller cameras fitted within
the fuselage
• New types of planes could fly higher and faster
Balloons
Tethered balloons had a key battlefield role. Equipped with telephones and
binoculars, observers could see very long distances into enemy help territory
from their baskets, generating valuable information
As such tended to be a priority target for attacking aircraft and were, therefore,
heavily defended
Aircraft development
Orville and Wilbur Wright had managed to get an aeroplane airborne in 1903.
By 1914, aircraft development had taken huge strides and all the major powers
realised aircraft’s military potential
Nevertheless, the aircraft available to both sides in 1914 were limited. The
British FE-2a, for example, could manage a top speed of no more than 88kph
(55mph)
In 1914, Britain had 113 aircrafts, France 160 and Germany 246
Aerial reconnaissance
The main use of aircraft was for reconnaissance. Over 90% of aerial sorties
flown throughout the war were reconnaissance missions.
The role of allied airmen in detecting German troop movements that led to the
Battle of the Marne demonstrated the aeroplane’s value.
When trench warfare began in 1914, aircraft were used to spot enemy artillery,
while aerial photographic reconnaissance enabled accurate maps of enemy
trenches to be created.
Reconnaissance aircraft became increasing sophisticated:
• Reconnaissance reports were increasingly delivered y radio rather
than in person
• Bulky hand-held cameras gave way to smaller cameras fitted within
the fuselage
• New types of planes could fly higher and faster
Balloons
Tethered balloons had a key battlefield role. Equipped with telephones and
binoculars, observers could see very long distances into enemy help territory
from their baskets, generating valuable information
As such tended to be a priority target for attacking aircraft and were, therefore,
heavily defended
