![]() ![]() Later, during the First Battle of the Marne, observation aircraft discovered weak points and exposed flanks in the German lines, allowing the allies to take advantage of them. The British High Command took note of the report and started to withdraw from Mons, saving the lives of 100,000 soldiers. Wadham of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) reported von Kluck's forces were preparing to surround the British Expeditionary Force, contradicting all other intelligence. On 22 August 1914, British Captain L.E.O. Aircraft were first used in Alexander von Kluck's German First Army during the Battle of Mons to target its guns on British II Corps positions. Įven so, air reconnaissance played a critical role in the "war of movement" of 1914, especially in helping the Allies halt the German invasion of France. Early skepticism and low expectations quickly turned to unrealistic demands beyond the capabilities of the primitive aircraft available. However the initial campaigns of 1914 proved that cavalry could no longer provide the reconnaissance expected by their generals, in the face of the greatly increased firepower of twentieth century armies, and it was quickly realised that aircraft could at least locate the enemy, even if early air reconnaissance was hampered by the newness of the techniques involved. Many senior officers, in particular, remained skeptical. Īt the start of the war, there was some debate over the usefulness of aircraft in warfare. This legislation was rooted in a fear that aeroplanes would be used to attack undefended cities, violating Article 69 of the Den Hague Reglement (the set of international laws governing warfare). ![]() Caption reads: "A German Fighting Monoplane Flying Very Near the Ground Photographed from Directly Underneath." The aircraft is of the Taube type, either a Rumpler Taube or a copy from one of the other manufacturers involved in Taube production.Īt the 1911 meeting of the Institute of International Law in Madrid, legislation was proposed to limit the use of aeroplanes to reconnaissance missions and banning them from being used as platforms for weapons. The early years of war Front page of the New York Times Mid-Week Pictorial, January 1st 1917. While the impact of aircraft on the course of the war was mainly tactical rather than strategic, most important being direct cooperation with ground forces (especially ranging and correcting artillery fire), the first steps in the strategic roles of aircraft in future wars were also foreshadowed. The war also saw the appointment of high-ranking officers to direct the belligerent nations' air war efforts. Pilots and engineers learned from experience, leading to the development of many specialized types, including fighters, bombers, and trench strafers.Īce fighter pilots were portrayed as modern knights, and many became popular heroes. Initially, they were used mostly for reconnaissance. Germany employed Zeppelins for reconnaissance over the North Sea and Baltic and also for strategic bombing raids over Britain and the Eastern Front.Īeroplanes were just coming into military use at the outset of the war. Tethered observation balloons had already been employed in several wars, and would be used extensively for artillery spotting. World War I was the first major conflict involving the large-scale use of aircraft. ![]() Use of aircraft during the First World War Colour Autochrome Lumière of a Nieuport Fighter in Aisne, France 1917 ![]()
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