The Royal Flying Corps was founded in Britain in 1912 with a Naval Wing (the Royal Naval Air Service) and a Military Wing. At the outbreak of war, Major-General Sir David Henderson left his post at the War Office to command the Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front. Similarly all the main combatant nations had a nucleus force of reconnaissance and/or fighter planes which could also be used to drop offensive missiles. Of the Allies, France was the best equipped, with 21 general duty squadrons set up.
Firstly, Britain relied heavily on French products to supplement her home grown squadrons of B.E.2.s (Bleriot Experimentals) which were produced at the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough, along with F.E.s (Farman Experimentals). The famous Sopwith Pups, Triplanes and Camels, the Handley Page bombers, de Havillands and Airco Scouts were to come into their own as the War, and the importance of aerial strength, developed.
Belgium’s small Air Force was almost exclusively composed of Farman bi-planes. Italy’s own force of Ansaldo reconnaissance planes and Caproni bombers was reinforced by French Hanriots when she made her late entry on the Allied side in May 1915. Russia’s Air Force also depended upon French planes and replacements.
Japan’s small contribution to the Allied effort included some aerial scuffles. Her small Air Force comprised of Taubes bought from the Rumpler plant. When the U.S.A. joined the Allies in April 1917, the American Expeditionary Forces Air Arm had no U.S.-made planes. They were soon equipped with British, French and Italian planes, their strength increased to 11 squadrons in their first three months, and they made a significant contribution to the War in the Air on the Western Front.
On the Central Power’s side, Germany was the best prepared and equipped of all the fighting nations, with well over 40 squadrons formed at the outbreak of hostilities. They were mostly equipped with Austrian designed Taubes. A series of devastatingly effective aeroplanes were soon rushed from the drawing board into production for the brilliant German pilots – the Albatross reconnaissance/fighter, the Gotha, a highly successful bomber, and several versions of the feared Fokker.
Austria, as well as being the home of the Taube, also produced the Lohner seaplane, which was very effective as a bomber.
These amazing new war birds and their achievements became a source of great fascination and excitement to the civilians and ground troops of both sides. Postcards were soon in the shops in all countries showing aeroplanes performing every conceivable manoeuvre and feat. ‘Artists’ impressions’ often resulted in slightly weird and wonderful machines for two reasons – the somewhat erratic censorship system discouraged the clear reproduction of accurate designs for obvious security reasons, and enthusiasm for the subject, divorced from any technical knowledge, accounted for many inaccuracies. Photographs of action scenes were often ‘improved’ by the skilful drawing in of activity in the air as well! Aeroplanes were also incorporated in the design of patriotic and sentimental cards.