Attacks by Massed Squadrons of Airplanes Become
an Important Factor in Battle
Aerial warfare entered upon a new phase with the opening of the German
offensive in March, 1918, and largely bore out the prediction that the
operations in the air would become almost as vital as those of infantry
and artillery. Since early in the war airmen have been performing the
scouting and observation functions which formerly belonged to the
cavalry arm; and as the conflict has developed they have also become
skilled in the art of harassing the enemy. So far these operations
had been carried out by individual aviators or comparatively small
squadrons, but the operations of March, 1918, witnessed the definite
development of larger squadrons, manoeuvring as effectively as bodies
of cavalry, and in massed formation attacking infantry columns. The
possibilities of the new aerial arm were further demonstrated in the
creation of a barrage, as effective as that of heavy artillery, for the
purpose of holding back advancing bodies of infantry.
In the first days of the German offensive there took place an aerial
battle which up to that time was unique in the annals of warfare. It
was a battle not merely for the purpose of gaining the mastery of the
air, but to aid allied infantry and artillery in stemming the tide of
the German advance, and when the drive finally slowed down and came
to a halt in Picardy, the allied airmen had undoubtedly contributed
largely to the result.
During the first two days (March 21-22) of the German drive there was
comparatively little aerial activity. The aviators on both sides were
preparing for the impending battle, which actually began on the morning
of March 23 and lasted all that day and the day following. At the end
of the two days' struggle the allied airmen had gained a decisive
victory, the point of which was complete ascendency in the air during
the next five days, when the German aviators were entirely unable to
prevent the allied fliers from doing what they liked.