Hot-Air Balloons Were Widely Used in World War 1. Many Were Placed on the Western Front

Air War Balloons Hot-air balloons were widely used in World War 1. Many were placed on the Western Front as observers because they were cheaper than planes. The development of fighter planes made it more dangerous to be in an air balloon. Balloon crew members were given parachutes. They were also given a powered wrench that helped them bring the balloon down quickly. Bombing The use of bombs was very important in World War 1. Bombing raids were conducted all the time. Bombers such as Zeppelins were extremely vulnerable to ground fire, but could level buildings in seconds. The Sikorski 1M, Caproni, Gotha, and the Airco DH-4 were other bombers used; none of them were very effective. Fast fighter planes and strong antiaircraft artillery made it hard to bomb during day hours, and it was hard to bomb during night hours due to the darkness. Strategic bombing was difficult to carry out. Still, there were over 9,000 casualties due to bombs.

Dogfights "Dogfight" means an aerial battle between two or more planes. Dogfights were a big part of World War 1. Since the war broke out soon after planes were invented, there had not been time to create guns that could be built to the body of the plane. Early planes had guns connected to the top wing. Also, they had two seats. There was a pilot in the front and a gunner in the back. The pilot had to listen to the gunner while dodging enemy fire, making early dogfights difficult. A British pilot, Louis Strange, developed a safety strap to allow the gunner to stand and be able to fire all around the top of the plane. With Rolland Garros' deflector plates added to planes, machine guns could be used, and a single seat fighter was possible. Once Anthony Fokker developed his synchronized gear, true fighter planes and dogfights were created. With so many new developments for fighter planes, tactics were changed. Originally fighters had the 'lone wolf' tactic, now they traveled in groups. When attacking, most pilots dove towards the target from the sun. This reduced the time the pilot being attacked had to react and avoid being hit. Later pilots placed mirrors in line with their gun, so rays were reflected into the eyes of pilots using this tactic against them. Many pilots also used clouds for cover when attacking.

Wireless Telegraphy At the beginning of the war, wireless telegraphy was used to communicate at a distance of about 2,000 miles. The Royal Flying Corps created a way to use wireless telegraphy to help artillery hit specific targets. Observers would carry a wireless set and a map. They identified the enemy's position and sent messages to the artillery commander. They also used wireless telegraphy for defense. They were able to detect planes or bombers coming towards from twenty miles away. This was especially helpful in stopping bombers before they could unload bombs on a city.

First Successful Flight The first successfully controlled plane flight was December 17, 1903. So by the time of WW1 outbreak it was still a relatively new invention. Not many people realized the full potential of the plane. After the Wright brothers gained worldwide fame with their "Flying Machine" Orville and Wilber offered their design to the US War Department as well as other governments and individuals in Europe. They were repeatedly turned down. But in late 1907 the US Signal Corps asked for an aircraft. And then a few months later a group of French businessman bought another. After demonstrating their plane in Europe and in the US orders poured in for planes. But since it was obvious there was money in the aviation business many copycats entered the picture. By 1912 many countries were producing their own planes. With the outbreak of war many realized that the plane could be used as an advantage. But not many of them thought beyond reconnaissance. Since the Civil War balloons had been used to spot enemy formations and troop movement. At first planes were sent out and over enemy positions to scout where they were located and their strength. The pilots independently armed themselves with pistols and sometimes rifles to shoot at any enemy plane they might come across. Occasionally they even carried small bomb to drop over the side of their plane onto enemy positions. Eventually machine guns were mounted to planes so that the pilot could fire in the direction he was flying. This created a new problem. Pilots had to crash land because passing bullets were destroying their propellers. A French Pilot, Rolland Garros, added small wedges of toughened steel to divert bullets. On April 1st, 1915 Garros took his new invention to the sky and shot down an Albatros B II. In the next two weeks Garros shot down four more planes (giving him 5 kills, enough to be an ace). However on April 18th Garros was forced to crash land behind the German front line. German troops arrived and captured him (and his plane) before he could set fire to it, to protect his invention. The plane was immediately sent to Anthony Fokker, a Dutch designer who was producing planes for Germany. Since 1914 Fokker was designing a synchronizing gear to add to planes. During the summer of 1915 the Fokker E was introduced. It was on the Western front within the month. It gave the Germans a clear advantage. The Allies weren't too far behind the Germans and soon answered the "Fokker Scourge" with their own synchronizing gear, which was designed by George Constantinesco.

Name:______Period:______Date:______1. Why were balloons used in WWI? 2. What were the dangers of being a balloon crew?

3. Why was the use of bombers very important in WWI?

4. Why were some bombers not very effective?

5. What was a dog fight?

6. What did Louis Strange develop? What advantage did this have?

7. Why did pilots dive towards targets from the sun?

8. What did they begin using as cover?

9. What are some uses for wireless telegraphy?

10. Who invented the "Flying Machine"?

11. How were original WWI pilots armed?

12. What innovation Germans a clear advantage in air warfare?

USE YOUR BRAIN! In what ways did planes differ at the end of WWI from planes used at the beginning of WWI?