The great European war brought out in startling fashion the remarkable
efficiency of the military aerial service, which is embodied in the
Naval and Military Wings of the Royal Flying Corps. The Naval Wing is
concerned chiefly with airships, while the Military Wing is devoted
to work with aeroplanes and man-carrying kites. The Corps has its
foundation in the old Balloon Company of the Royal Engineers, which
in 1911 was absorbed into the Air Battalion Royal Engineers, when
the aerial service of the army was placed on a sound basis. The
headquarters were placed at Aldershot. On April 13th, 1913, the Royal
Flying Corps was organised and developed in remarkable manner in
methods, material, and men. When war was declared against Germany in
1914 the members of the Corps quickly achieved fame by their efficiency
and daring, many decorations being won, notably the V.C. by Lieut.
Warneford, who was killed soon after in an accident near Paris.