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Great Britain appeared to be puny。 At the moment Great Britain
possesses about 500 machines； of which about 200 are waterplanes。
In addition； according to the Secretary of the Admiralty； 15
dirigibles should be in service。 Private enterprise is supported
by the Government； which maintains a factory for the manufacture
of these craft。
During the two years preceding the outbreak of war the various
Powers grew remarkably reticent concerning the composition and
enlargement of their respective aerial fleets。 No official
figures were published。 But at the same time it is a well…known
fact that during the year 1913 France augmented her flying force
by no fewer than 544 aeroplanes。 Germany was no less energetic；
the military acquisition in this branch； and during the self…same
year； approaching 700 machines according to the semi…official
reports published in that country。
The arrangements concluded for the manufacture of additional
craft during the war are equally remarkable。 The principal
factory in Germany； （now devoting its energies to the production
of these craft； although in happier days its normal complement of
4；000 men were responsible for the production of another
commercial article） possesses facilities for turning out 30
complete aeroplanes per week； according to the statement of its
managing director。 But it is averred that this statement is
purposely misleading； inasmuch as during the first fortnight of
the campaign it was producing over 50 aeroplanes per week。 It
must be remembered that Germany is responsible for the supply of
the majority of such craft for the Austnan armies； that country
purchasing these vessels in large numbers； because in the early
days of the conflict it was notoriously weak in this arm。 Since
the declaration of war strenuous efforts have been made to remedy
this state of affairs； particularly upon the unexpected
revelation of Russia's aerial strength。
It is computed that upon the outbreak of war the various Powers
were in the position to show an aggregate of 4；980 aircraft of
all descriptions； both for active service and reserve。 This is a
colossal fleet； but it serves to convey in a graphic manner the
importance attached to the adrial vessel by the respective
belligerents。 So far as Germany is concerned she is sorely in
need of additional machines。 Her fleet of the air has lost its
formidable character； owing to the fact that it has to be divided
between two frontiers； while she has been further weakened by the
enormous lengths of the two battle…fronts。
Russia has been able to concentrate her aerial force； which has
proved of incalculable value to the Grand Duke Nicholas； who has
expressed his appreciation of the services rendered by his
fliers。 The French likewise have been favoured by Fortune in
this respect。 Their aerial navy is likewise concentrated upon
a single frontier； although a pronounced proportion has been
reserved for service upon the Mediterranean sea…board for
co…operation with the fleet。 France suffers； however； to a
certain degree from the length of her battle…line； which is over
200 miles in length。 The French aerial fleet has been
particularly active in the Vosges and the Argonne； where the
difficult； mountainous； and densely wooded country has rendered
other systems of observation of the enemy's movements a matter of
extreme difficulty。 The Germans have laboured under a similar
handicap in this territory； and have likewise been compelled to
centre a considerable proportion of their aerial fleet upon this
corner of the extended battlefield。
It is in this region that the greatest wastage has been manifest。
I have been informed by one correspondent who is fighting in this
sternly contested area； that at one time a daily loss of ten
German machines was a fair average； while highwater mark was
reached； so far as his own observations and ability to glean
information were concerned by the loss of 19 machines during a
single day。 The French wastage； while not so heavy upon the
average； has been considerable at times。
The term wastage is somewhat misleading； if not erroneous。 It
does not necessarily imply the total loss of a machine； such as
its descent upon hostile territory； but includes damage to
machines； no matter how slight； landing within their own lines。
In the difficult country of the Vosges many aeroplanes have come
to earth somewhat heavily； and have suffered such damage as to
render them inoperative； compelling their removal from the
effective list until they have undergone complete overhaul or
reconstruction。 Upon occasions this wastage has been so
pronounced that the French aviators； including some of the
foremost fliers serving with the forces； have been without a
machine and have been compelled to wait their turn。
I am informed that one day four machines； returning from a
reconnaissance in force； crashed successively to the ground； and
each had to be hauled away to the repair sheds； necessitating
withdrawal from service for several days。 Unfortunately the
French； owing to their decision to rule out certain machines as
unsuited to military service； have not yet perfected their
organisation for making good this wastage； although latterly it
has been apprecably reduced by greater care among the aviators in
handling their vessels。
The fast vessels of the French aerial fleet have proved
exceptionally valuable。 With these craft speeds of 95 and 100
miles or more per hour have been attained under favourable
conditions； and pace has proved distinctly advantageous； inasmuch
as it gives the French aviators a superiority of about 40 per
cent over the average German machine。 It was the activity and
daring of the French fliers upon these high speed machines which
induced the German airmen to change their tactics。 Individual
effort and isolated raiding operations were abandoned in favour
of what might be described as combined or squadron attack。 Six
or eight machines advancing together towards the French lines
somewhat nonplussed these fleet French mosquito craft； and to
a certain degree nullified their superiority in pace。 Speed
was discounted； for the simple reason that the enemy when so
massed evinced a disposition to fight and to follow harassing
tactics when one of the slowest French machines ventured into
the air。
It is interesting to observe that aerial operations； now that
they are being conducted upon what may be termed methodical lines
as distinct from corsair movements； are following the broad
fundamental principles of naval tactics。 Homogeneous squadrons；
that is； squadrons composed of vessels of similar type and armament；
put out and follow roughly the 〃single line ahead〃 formation。
Upon sighting the enemy there is the manoeuvring for position
advantage which must accrue to the speedier protagonist。 One
then； witnesses what might almost be described as an application
of the process of capping the line or 〃crossing the 'T。'〃 This
tends to throw the slower squadron into confusion by bending it
back upon itself； meanwhile exposing it to a demoralizing fire。
The analogy is not precisely correct but sufficiently so to
indicate that aerial battles will be fought much upon the same
lines； as engagements between vessels upon the water。 If the
manoeuvres accomplish nothing beyond breaking up and scattering
the foe； the result is satisfactory in as much as in this event
it is possible to exert a driving tendency and to force him back
upon the lines of the superior force； when the scattered vessels
may be brought within the zone of spirited fire from the ground。
Attacks in force are more likely to prove successful than
individual raiding tactics； as recent events upon the battlefield
of Europe have demonstrated more or less convincingly。 An attack
in force is likely to cause the defenders upon the ground beneath
to lose their heads a