AIR AS ENVISAGED IN THE YEAR 1928 their first aeroplane with machine guns capable of firing through the propeller.
(b) Many of the pilots, while carrying out reconnaissances found roads packed with German troops and transport. Small bombs were taken up and dropped over the side of the aeroplanes, with little effect. But it was speedily realized what havoc might have been produced if it had been possible to drop large bombs accurately. To do this, suitable bombs, the means of attaching them to and releasing them from aeroplanes, and a sight which would enable the bombs to be dropped accurately, had all to be designed and produced.
(c) The two aeroplanes (mentioned above) equipped with wireless, rudimentary though it was, immediately became in great demand, and it became obvious that reconnaissance aeroplanes would have to be fitted with wireless as soon as practicable.
(d) The idea of taking photographs from aeroplanes as a use ful adjunct to the usual reconnaissance report, was also initiated by some photographs being taken over the side of an aeroplane with a press camera. From this it became evident that the in formation contained on such photographs was of the utmost value to the general staff. To do this on a large scale many new things were necessary; a suitable camera, which could be fixed on to an aeroplane, and mobile photographic workshops in which developing, printing and camera maintenance could be carried out.
As a result of these early ideas, a vast air organization grew up. Instead of having one type of aeroplane as a "maid of all work," separate types were evolved for fighting, bombing, and the normal reconnaissance duties—and the pilots began to re ceive special training accordingly. In addition, vast specialist sections were trained to deal with wireless, photography, stores and overhauls of aircraft and engines.