Chapter 4Chapter 4Early Flight ( 1914-Early Flight ( 1914-

1919)1919)

A – Airships, Dirigibles, and A – Airships, Dirigibles, and Balloons Balloons B – Military AirplanesB – Military AirplanesC – Aircraft ProductionC – Aircraft ProductionD – Armistice and PeaceD – Armistice and Peace

Section ASection AAirships, Dirigibles, and Airships, Dirigibles, and

BalloonsBalloons

World War I opened in 1914 when World War I opened in 1914 when German troops stormed through German troops stormed through

Belgium and into France. Troops were Belgium and into France. Troops were moved by train, truck, car, horse, and moved by train, truck, car, horse, and on foot. Airplanes, balloons, dirigibles, on foot. Airplanes, balloons, dirigibles, and airships were used for observation and airships were used for observation

and recon.and recon.

German AirshipsGerman Airships

At start of WWI, German Army had 6 At start of WWI, German Army had 6 operating airships, and the German operating airships, and the German Navy had 2.Navy had 2.

German had little strategy for the use German had little strategy for the use of rigid airships, but the public, who of rigid airships, but the public, who were very aviation-minded, demanded were very aviation-minded, demanded that Zeppelins be used.that Zeppelins be used.

The German Army was their airships The German Army was their airships for recon mainly, and occasionally for recon mainly, and occasionally drop a bomb or two. drop a bomb or two.

German AirshipsGerman Airships

On 6 August 1914, the German airship Z6 On 6 August 1914, the German airship Z6 bombed Liege, Belgium. Fire was returned, bombed Liege, Belgium. Fire was returned, damaging the Z6, but it returned to base.damaging the Z6, but it returned to base.– Earliest documented use of an airship as a bomber.Earliest documented use of an airship as a bomber.

German Navy took lead when it can to German Navy took lead when it can to buying, flying and using airships over the buying, flying and using airships over the German Navy. The Army dismantled its German Navy. The Army dismantled its airship program in 1916. Competitiveness airship program in 1916. Competitiveness between Armies and Navies occurred in between Armies and Navies occurred in many countries.many countries.

German Airship designationsGerman Airship designations– Z: Zeppelin made before the warZ: Zeppelin made before the war– LZ: Wartime army ZeppelinsLZ: Wartime army Zeppelins– L: Wartime navy ZeppelinsL: Wartime navy Zeppelins

German AirshipsGerman Airships

The German Army learned in the The German Army learned in the opening months of the war that opening months of the war that airship were very vulnerable.airship were very vulnerable.– They were large, highly visible, low-They were large, highly visible, low-

flying, and slow-moving targets.flying, and slow-moving targets. The Army reduced its use of The Army reduced its use of

airships over land and during the airships over land and during the day over the Western Front.day over the Western Front.

German AirshipsGerman Airships

As the Army was curtailing the use of As the Army was curtailing the use of airships, the Navy increased the used airships, the Navy increased the used of them.of them.– Peter Strasser, head of naval airship Peter Strasser, head of naval airship

division, argued for increased use of division, argued for increased use of airships in raids over England.airships in raids over England.

First German raid on England in First German raid on England in January 1915.January 1915.– Germany targeted British morale and Germany targeted British morale and

property, also known as terror bombing. property, also known as terror bombing. They were trying to force England into They were trying to force England into separate peace. separate peace.

German AirshipsGerman Airships

At first the Terror Raid shocked Britain, At first the Terror Raid shocked Britain, but only succeeded in rallying support but only succeeded in rallying support in England war effort. in England war effort.

The British developed their own home The British developed their own home defense system.defense system.– Established observation patrolsEstablished observation patrols– Installed searchlightsInstalled searchlights– Erected wires to entangle airshipsErected wires to entangle airships– Designed and produced more powerful Designed and produced more powerful

fighter planesfighter planes

German AirshipsGerman Airships

In addition to England’s new home In addition to England’s new home defense system, German airships defense system, German airships had other problems: Cold had other problems: Cold temperatures.temperatures.– Ice build-up added weight, so fuel was Ice build-up added weight, so fuel was

limitedlimited– Cold temps thickened oil and froze Cold temps thickened oil and froze

coolant.coolant. Weather and mechanical problems downed Weather and mechanical problems downed

more German airships than British anti-more German airships than British anti-aircraft fire, airplane, and bombs combined.aircraft fire, airplane, and bombs combined.

German AirshipsGerman Airships

In 1917, the Army replaced the In 1917, the Army replaced the airship with new airplane airship with new airplane bombers as the Navy continued bombers as the Navy continued the airships for coastal patrol.the airships for coastal patrol.

German TechnologyGerman Technology

The German airship makers improved The German airship makers improved both the process and product during both the process and product during the war and thereby increased not the war and thereby increased not only the number, but also the size, only the number, but also the size, power, and speed of airships. By the power, and speed of airships. By the end the war demonstrated the failure end the war demonstrated the failure of the airships as a land bomber and of the airships as a land bomber and its effectiveness as a naval recon its effectiveness as a naval recon craft.craft.

German TechnologyGerman Technology

– 80 airships could be built for the cost of a single 80 airships could be built for the cost of a single battleship, but were expensive to maintain and battleship, but were expensive to maintain and operate in terms of money and manpower, operate in terms of money and manpower, ei: crews, hangers, maint., Etc.ei: crews, hangers, maint., Etc.

– Navy lost 53 of it 73 airships; Army lost 26 of 52Navy lost 53 of it 73 airships; Army lost 26 of 52

In the end, the war demonstrated the In the end, the war demonstrated the failure of the airships as a land bomber and failure of the airships as a land bomber and its effectiveness as a naval recon craft.its effectiveness as a naval recon craft.

French Dirigibles and French Dirigibles and AirshipsAirships

They were as vulnerable during They were as vulnerable during daylight and overland as German daylight and overland as German lighter-than-air craft. lighter-than-air craft. – the French dirigibles and airships the French dirigibles and airships

flew mostly at night and mostly over flew mostly at night and mostly over water where they protected ship water where they protected ship convoys and the coast by scouting convoys and the coast by scouting for enemy vessels and mines.for enemy vessels and mines.

British Dirigibles and British Dirigibles and AirshipsAirships

Great Britain started the war with Great Britain started the war with 4 lighter-than-air craft.4 lighter-than-air craft.

The dirigible proved highly The dirigible proved highly effective for recon and effective for recon and surveillance of sea coast. surveillance of sea coast. – Since Britain is an island nation, the Since Britain is an island nation, the

airship was a naval weapon.airship was a naval weapon.

British Dirigibles and British Dirigibles and AirshipsAirships

British innovations:British innovations:– Sea Scout blimp: small dirigible used for Sea Scout blimp: small dirigible used for

patrolling coast and spotting floating patrolling coast and spotting floating mines, subs, and other enemy vessels.mines, subs, and other enemy vessels.

– British used a downed German Zeppelin as British used a downed German Zeppelin as a model for the design of several rigid a model for the design of several rigid airships, but didn’t quite match the quality airships, but didn’t quite match the quality of the German-made Zeppelinsof the German-made Zeppelins

At the end of war, Britain had the At the end of war, Britain had the largest fleet of lighter-than-air craft; largest fleet of lighter-than-air craft; 103 craft.103 craft.

Drachen and Free Drachen and Free BalloonsBalloonsBoth the Allies and the Central Powers Both the Allies and the Central Powers

used tethered and free balloons during used tethered and free balloons during the war.the war.

Drachen: was a balloon tethered to the Drachen: was a balloon tethered to the ground or to a naval vessel on the water.ground or to a naval vessel on the water.– They had the advantage of being connected They had the advantage of being connected

by telephone line with forces on the ground, by telephone line with forces on the ground, radios came later.radios came later.

– Used for observation, sector recon, artillery Used for observation, sector recon, artillery spotting, battery ranging, and verification of spotting, battery ranging, and verification of demolition.demolition.

Drachen and Free Drachen and Free BalloonsBalloons Caquot: Balloons that dangled light Caquot: Balloons that dangled light

cables down in order to entangle enemy cables down in order to entangle enemy airplanesairplanes– Developed by the British, adopted by Developed by the British, adopted by

Germany and other countries.Germany and other countries.– Britain had one that stretched 50 miles longBritain had one that stretched 50 miles long

France was the first nation equip its France was the first nation equip its military balloonist with parachutes.military balloonist with parachutes.

End of Section AEnd of Section A

Section BSection BMilitary AirplanesMilitary AirplanesMost air forces entered WWI with Most air forces entered WWI with

aircraft and crews suitable for only aircraft and crews suitable for only reconnaissance. The airplanes were reconnaissance. The airplanes were mostly two-seat and relatively low-mostly two-seat and relatively low-

powered biplanes with limited powered biplanes with limited maneuverability and limited load-maneuverability and limited load-carrying capacity. But the military carrying capacity. But the military

utilization of aircraft expanded to other utilization of aircraft expanded to other missions and development of aircraft for missions and development of aircraft for

the new military applications the new military applications transformed military aviation into a transformed military aviation into a

specialized and diversified field during specialized and diversified field during the course of WWI.the course of WWI.

Combatant Air ForcesCombatant Air Forces

All combatant nations entered the war with All combatant nations entered the war with small air forces of a few hundred or less small air forces of a few hundred or less operational aircraft.operational aircraft.– Germany Germany – Began the war with the largest military – Began the war with the largest military

air force, divided among a large Army air branch air force, divided among a large Army air branch and a small Navy air section, and with military and a small Navy air section, and with military flying schools in operation and military aircraft flying schools in operation and military aircraft production underway in a growing German production underway in a growing German industry.industry.

– Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary - Produced too few aircraft, - Produced too few aircraft, though an adequate number of airplane engines, to though an adequate number of airplane engines, to meet its wartime needs, and relied upon its meet its wartime needs, and relied upon its German ally to supply its military aircraft.German ally to supply its military aircraft.

– France France – Had the largest Allied air force at the start – Had the largest Allied air force at the start of the war and a centralized mechanism to of the war and a centralized mechanism to coordinate the production and acquisition of coordinate the production and acquisition of military aircraft during the war.military aircraft during the war.

Combatant Air ForcesCombatant Air Forces

– Great BritainGreat Britain – The British Royal Flying Corps flew – The British Royal Flying Corps flew its general purpose aircraft to France to provide its general purpose aircraft to France to provide recon support for the Allied effort, and the Royal recon support for the Allied effort, and the Royal Naval Air Service brought landplanes, seaplanes, Naval Air Service brought landplanes, seaplanes, and lighter-than-air craft to the conflict.and lighter-than-air craft to the conflict.

– Russia Russia – The Russian Army and Navy began the – The Russian Army and Navy began the war with aircraft of many different models, war with aircraft of many different models, including the domestic Sikorsky aircraft as well as including the domestic Sikorsky aircraft as well as many foreign types, some built in Russia under many foreign types, some built in Russia under license, but with a few combat-ready airplanes.license, but with a few combat-ready airplanes.

– Italy Italy – The Italian Aeronautical Corps entered the – The Italian Aeronautical Corps entered the war with limited combat experience from the Italo-war with limited combat experience from the Italo-Turkish War, and both the Army and Navy Turkish War, and both the Army and Navy expanded acquisition of military aircraft bewteen expanded acquisition of military aircraft bewteen the start of the war in Europe in 1914 and Italy’s the start of the war in Europe in 1914 and Italy’s joining the conflict in 1915.joining the conflict in 1915.

Combatant Air ForcesCombatant Air Forces

United StatesUnited States – The U.S. entered the – The U.S. entered the war two years after Italy, but was still war two years after Italy, but was still unprepared interims of production unprepared interims of production and combat –ready aircraft.and combat –ready aircraft.– Some Americans were already fighting in Some Americans were already fighting in

the war, assuming different names so the war, assuming different names so not to lose their citizenship. Some not to lose their citizenship. Some served in the Canadian Royal Flying served in the Canadian Royal Flying Corps, and in the British Royal Flying Corps, and in the British Royal Flying Corps.Corps.

Combatant Air ForcesCombatant Air Forces

Some others enlisted in the French Foreign Some others enlisted in the French Foreign Legion, which allowed them to retain their Legion, which allowed them to retain their US citizenship. Troops did not have to US citizenship. Troops did not have to swear allegiance to France and trained in swear allegiance to France and trained in French flight schools.French flight schools.

LaFayette Escadrille (Squadrons)LaFayette Escadrille (Squadrons) – – Squadron of men trained and serving as an Squadron of men trained and serving as an American Unit with the French Foreign American Unit with the French Foreign Legion.Legion.– When the US entered the war in 1917, most in When the US entered the war in 1917, most in

the LaFayette transferred to the US Army Air the LaFayette transferred to the US Army Air Service or the US Naval Air Service, but one pilot Service or the US Naval Air Service, but one pilot didn’t.didn’t.

Eugene Bullard; the first black American military Eugene Bullard; the first black American military aviator.aviator.

ExpansionExpansion

Germany’s army air force Germany’s army air force maintained the dominant aerial maintained the dominant aerial position 1915-1916position 1915-1916– Germany’s aircraft industry’s ability Germany’s aircraft industry’s ability

to replace and produce new aircraftto replace and produce new aircraft– Military’s ability to train pilots, Military’s ability to train pilots,

observers, and ground crew.observers, and ground crew.

Aerial CombatAerial Combat

Pilots started to carry pistols for Pilots started to carry pistols for defensive purposesdefensive purposes

Pilots would occasionally fire at Pilots would occasionally fire at each othereach other– First air-to-air combatFirst air-to-air combat– But shot from too far to do any harmBut shot from too far to do any harm

Bombing And ArtilleryBombing And Artillery

Favorite targets for enemy Favorite targets for enemy bombers of every nation in 1915 bombers of every nation in 1915 were trains.were trains.

Britain Flying Corps used airplanes Britain Flying Corps used airplanes for artillery spotting.for artillery spotting.– Pilots would radio to observers to Pilots would radio to observers to

guide gunners to enemy targetsguide gunners to enemy targets

Forward FiringForward Firing

March 1915, Roland GarrosMarch 1915, Roland Garros– Added metal deflector plates to his Added metal deflector plates to his

propeller blades and mounted a propeller blades and mounted a machine gun on the fuselage in front machine gun on the fuselage in front of the cockpit.of the cockpit.

Pilots now became fightersPilots now became fighters– Ace - pilot with 5 or more victoriesAce - pilot with 5 or more victories

Forward FiringForward Firing

Anthony FokkerAnthony Fokker– Developed and produced a machine Developed and produced a machine

gun that was synchronized with the gun that was synchronized with the propeller by an interrupter gear.propeller by an interrupter gear.

Gentleman’s WarfareGentleman’s Warfare

Max Immelmann and Oswald BoelckMax Immelmann and Oswald Boelck– Became famous by late 1915Became famous by late 1915– Recorded the first victories Recorded the first victories

(Immelmann)(Immelmann)– Became the first aces.Became the first aces.

Manfred von RicthofenManfred von Ricthofen– A.K.A “The Red Baron”A.K.A “The Red Baron”– 80 victories, 54 of them “burns”80 victories, 54 of them “burns”

BombersBombers

Giovanni Caproni and Igor SikorskyGiovanni Caproni and Igor Sikorsky– 1914, demonstrated multi-engine 1914, demonstrated multi-engine

airplanes designed to carry and drop airplanes designed to carry and drop bombsbombs

– Bombers up to now were airships and Bombers up to now were airships and dirigiblesdirigibles

Bombing dominated French Bombing dominated French aviation during the waraviation during the war

End of Section BEnd of Section B