Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1919 — WEAK IN AIR AT THE START [ARTICLE]

WEAK IN AIR AT THE START

Great Britain Had but Four Squadrons of Airplanes, but Made Rapid Strides. London.—The declaration of war by Great Britain at midnight, August 5, 1914, found the Royal Flying corps with only four squadrons in being—representing well under 100 airplanes. Three of these squadrons went instantly to France. A new squadron followed these pioneers in about ten days’ time, while a fifth squadron mobilized and set out in 24 hours, reaching the fighting zone. In those early days of the war machines were used simply for strategical reconnaissance. It was not until after the battle of the Aisne, when settled lines of warfare were established, that artillery fire control from the air and the cruder forms of co-operation with the infantry were practiced and developed.