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play in war； and the military possibilities of the aeroplane。
True； the Belgians had a very small aerial navy； but it was put to
work without delay and accomplished magnificent results；
ascertaining the German positions and dispositions with unerring
accuracy and incredible ease； and thus enabling the commander of
the Belgian Army to dispose his relatively tiny force to the best
advantage； and to offer the most effective resistance。
Great Britain's aerial navy； while likewise some what small； was
also ready for instant service。 The British Expeditionary force
was supported by a very efficient aerial fleet； the majority of
the vessels forming which flew across the Channel at high speed
to the British headquarters in France so as to be available
directly military preparations were begun； and the value of this
support proved to be inestimable； since it speedily demoralised
the numerically superior enemy。
France； like Germany； was somewhat dilatory； but this was
attributable rather to the time occupied in the mobilisation of
the Fourth Arm than to lack of energy。 There were a round 1；500
aeroplanes ostensibly ready for service； in addition to some 26
dirigibles。 But the fleet was somewhat scattered； while many of
the craft were not immediately available； being in the shops or
in dock for repairs and overhaul。 During the period of
mobilisation the so…called standing military force was augmented
by about 500 machines which were acquired from private owners。
The aeroplane factories were also； overhauled and re…organised so
as to be in a position to remedy the inevitable wastage； but
these organisation efforts were somewhat handicapped by the
shortage of labour arising from the call to arms。 France；
moreover； imperilled her aerial strength by forbidding the use of
558 machines which were ready for service。
Germany's aerial fleet was of similar proportions to that of her
Gallic neighbour； but curiously enough； and in strange contrast；
there appeared to be a lack of readiness in this ramification of
the Teuton war machine。 The military establishment possessed
about 1；000 machinesactive and reserveof which it is
estimated 700 were available for instant service。 During the
period of mobilisation a further 450 machines were added to the
fleet； drawn for the most part from private owners。 So far as
the dirigibles were concerned 14 Zeppelins were ready for duty；
while others were under construction or undergoing overhaul and
repair。 A few other types were also in commission or acquired
during mobilisation； bringing the dirigible force to 40 machines
all told。
But the greatest surprise was probably offered by Russia。 Very
little was known concerning Russian activities in this particular
field； although it was stated that large orders for machines had
been placed with various foreign manufactories。 Certain
factories also had been established within the Empire； although
the character of their work and its results and achievements were
concealed from prying eyes。 In Russia； however； an appreciable
number of private aeroplanes were in operation； and these； of
course； were placed at the disposal of the authorities the moment
the crisis developed。
The British and French aeroplane manufacturers had been busy upon
Russian orders for many months previous to the outbreak of
hostilities； while heavy shipments of component parts had been
made； the assembling and completion of the machines being carried
out in the country。 It is generally believed that upon the
outbreak of war Russia had a fleet of 800 aeroplanes in hand； of
which total 150 were contributed from private sources。 Even the
dirigible had not been overlooked； there being nearly 20 of these
craft attached to the Russian Army； although for the most part
they are small vessels。
In comparison with the foregoing large aerial navies； that of
Great Britain appeared to be puny。 At the moment Great Britain
possesses about 500 machines； of which about 200 are waterplanes。
In addition； according to the Secretary of the Admiralty； 15
dirigibles should be in service。 Private enterprise is supported
by the Government； which maintains a factory for the manufacture
of these craft。
During the two years preceding the outbreak of war the various
Powers grew remarkably reticent concerning the composition and
enlargement of their respective aerial fleets。 No official
figures were published。 But at the same time it is a well…known
fact that during the year 1913 France augmented her flying force
by no fewer than 544 aeroplanes。 Germany was no less energetic；
the military acquisition in this branch； and during the self…same
year； approaching 700 machines according to the semi…official
reports published in that country。
The arrangements concluded for the manufacture of additional
craft during the war are equally remarkable。 The principal
factory in Germany； （now devoting its energies to the production
of these craft； although in happier days its normal complement of
4；000 men were responsible for the production of another
commercial article） possesses facilities for turning out 30
complete aeroplanes per week； according to the statement of its
managing director。 But it is averred that this statement is
purposely misleading； inasmuch as during the first fortnight of
the campaign it was producing over 50 aeroplanes per week。 It
must be remembered that Germany is responsible for the supply of
the majority of such craft for the Austnan armies； that country
purchasing these vessels in large numbers； because in the early
days of the conflict it was notoriously weak in this arm。 Since
the declaration of war strenuous efforts have been made to remedy
this state of affairs； particularly upon the unexpected
revelation of Russia's aerial strength。
It is computed that upon the outbreak of war the various Powers
were in the position to show an aggregate of 4；980 aircraft of
all descriptions； both for active service and reserve。 This is a
colossal fleet； but it serves to convey in a graphic manner the
importance attached to the adrial vessel by the respective
belligerents。 So far as Germany is concerned she is sorely in
need of additional machines。 Her fleet of the air has lost its
formidable character； owing to the fact that it has to be divided
between two frontiers； while she has been further weakened by the
enormous lengths of the two battle…fronts。
Russia has been able to concentrate her aerial force； which has
proved of incalculable value to the Grand Duke Nicholas； who has
expressed his appreciation of the services rendered by his
fliers。 The French likewise have been favoured by Fortune in
this respect。 Their aerial navy is likewise concentrated upon
a single frontier； although a pronounced proportion has been
reserved for service upon the Mediterranean sea…board for
co…operation with the fleet。 France suffers； however；