Figure 1.--

Aircraft were used for the first time in a significant way during World War I. The first aircraft were lighter than air contraptions. Tethered observation balloons were used in 19th century wars, primarily for artillery spotting. Germany expanded on this concept with its new Zeppelins, first for reconnaissance over the North Sea and Baltic and then for strategic bombing raids over England and the Eastern Front. Military commanders were not sure how to use the new fixed-wing aircraft which were still in an early stage of development. The War began only a decaded after the Wright Brithers flight at Kitty Hawk (1903). The first planes available when the War broke out were fragile flying machines at a very early stage of development. The primary use of the airplane at first and through much of the War was aerial reconisance. The first planes were not even armed. Pilots had to take pistols and shotguns up ith them. Pilots and engineers rapidly learned from early experiences, leading to the major advances. As the war progressed more robust planes were developed with more powerful engines. And aircraft designers began to developed specialized plane types. Fighters, ground attack, and bombers were developed for tactical and strategic purposes. Fighters began to be used both to protect reconisance plnes for ground support, although with out radios this was not as effective as in World War II. Large scale dog-fights swirled above the trenches over northern France. Fighter aces who racked up kills became know as aces. The press portrayed as modern knights, and many became popular heroes. Bombers began bombing, but it soon proved apparent that that they did not have the pability to hit specific trgets. The Germans who began bombing with both Zephlins and bombers soon found the best they could do was to drop bombs on cities. The Allies were preparing to retaliate with the massive bombing of Germany, but the Germans asked fo an armidtice before this ws laubched. Advances by one side or the other with new plane types and armaments caused the air balance to swing back and fourth during the War. As crashed planes were availble to both sides, advancs by obe side were quickly availble to the other side. The major factor became the greater industrial power of Britain and France and their ability to out produce the Germans.

Lighter-than-Air Craft

The first aircraft were lighter than air contraptions. Tethered observation balloons were used in 19th century wars, primarily for artillery spotting. Tethered baloons could easily communicate with the ground, bu they had a limited range of signt into enemy positions. Germany expanded on this concept with its new Zeppelins. They were first for reconnaissance over the North Sea and Baltic and then for strategic bombing raids over England and the Eastern We believe the Zappelins, unlike smaller fixed-wing aircraft had radio (wireless sets. We know they had radio receivers, we are less sure about their sending capabiluties. The Germans developed a directional beacon system for navigation. Early in the war, only the Zeppelins had the range for strategic bombing. And for 2-years they had ceiling above that of fixed wing aircraft or anti-aircraft artillery. And as there was no early-warming system, the Zappelins could drop their bombs and head home before the British planes could only begin to intercept them. Once the British develped planes with sufficent capvilities, the large-slow mothing Zeppelins became sitting ducks. And as the americans refuse to sell helium to the Germans, they had tonuse highly famable hydrogen. Thus many Zeppelin crews died horrible deaths, for ced to jump from their burning craft without parachuttes.

Fixed-wing Aircraft

Military commanders were not sure how to use the new fixed-wing aircraft which were still in an early stage of development. The War began only a decaded after the Wright Brothers flight at Kitty Hawk (1903). The first planes available when the War broke out were fragile flying machines at a very early stage of development. The primary use of the airplane at first and through much of the War was aerial reconisance. The first planes were not even armed. Pilots had to take pistols and shotguns up ith them. Pilots and engineers rapidly learned from early experiences, leading to the major advances. As the war progressed more robust planes were developed with more powerful engines. And aircraft designers began to developed specialized plane types. Fighters, ground attack, and bombers were developed for tactical and strategic purposes. Fighters began to be used both to protect reconisance planes for ground support, although with out radios this was not as effective as in World War II. Large scale dog-fights swirled above the trenches over northern France. Fighter aces who racked up kills became know as aces. The press portrayed as modern knights, and many became popular heroes. Bombers began bombing, but it soon proved apparent that that they did not have the pability to hit specific trgets. The Germans who began bombing with both Zephlins and bombers soon found the best they could do was to drop bombs on cities. The Allies were preparing to retaliate with the massive bombing of Germany, but the Germans asked fo an armidtice before this ws laubched. Advances by one side or the other with new plane types and armaments caused the air balance to swing back and fourth during the War. As crashed planes were availble to both sides, advancs by obe side were quickly availble to the other side. The major factor became the greater industrial power of Britain and France and their ability to out produce the Germans.

Created: 12:00 AM 7/28/2015
Last updated: 12:01 AM 7/28/2015