| World War I lasted for four years, from 1914 to 1918. During that period,
airplanes were used for the first time in military operations. They were used for
observation, transportation, and other military war activities.
At the start, the available airplanes were not suitable for war. They were frail,
underpowered, slow, and of limited range. The generals thought that they could
only be used for reconnaissance. At first the air crews fought with pistols and
rifles. Some even used steel darts and boat hooks. A pilot who shot down five or more enemy planes was known as an "ace." You will meet some of the aces and the planes they flew that made them famous. |
