IMPORTANCE OF AIR POWER IN ACHIEVING VICTORY, 1918

• HOW AIR POWER WAS USED

  • Supporting the army remained the main role of the RFC.
  • 1917 at Passchendaele, more than 300 British aircraft attacked German troops.
  • In August 1918, the British lost 243 aircraft in four days
  • By 1918, aircraft were being used in a variety of military roles, but predominantly for reconnaissance, combat and bombing.
• CASUALTIES

  • RFC airmen were taught to attack but often fought at a disadvantage against German pilots in faster, high-flying aircraft.
  • France trained more than 16,000 wartime pilots, Britain nearly 20,000.
  • 1 in 4 were killed.
• THE RFC BECOMES THE RAF

  • 1st April 1918- RAF.
  • 30,000 personnel, 200 operational squadrons and 22,647 aircraft.