conception
will be retained in all monoplanes.

There is one point in which Germany has excelled. Wood is not employed
in the construction of these heavier-than-air craft. Steel and the
lighter tough alloys are exclusively used. In this way the minimum of
weight consistent with the maximum of strength policy is carried
out. Moreover the manufacture of component parts is facilitated and
accelerated to a remarkable degree by the use of metal, while the
tasks of fitting and repairing are notably expedited by the practice of
standardisation. Germany is also manifesting commendable enterprise in
the perfection of light powerful motors for these dynamic machines. The
latest types of explosion-motors range from 100 to 150 horse-power; the
advantages of these are obvious.

Upon the outbreak of hostilities the French possessed an enormous number
and variety of aeroplanes and this aerial fleet had been brought to
a high standard of organisation. The aerial fleet is sub-divided into
squadrons called "escadrilles," each of which comprises six machines and
pilots. These units are kept up to strength, wastage being made up from
reserves, so as to maintain the requisite homogeneity.

But ere the war had been in progress many weeks an official order was
issued forbidding the employment of the Bleriot, Deperdussin, Nieuport,
and R.E.P. monoplanes. Those which received official approval included
the Caudron, Henry, and Maurice Farman, Morane-Saulnier, and Voisin
machines.

This drastic order came somewhat as a thunderbolt, and the reason for
the decree has not been satisfactorily revealed. Suffice to say that in
one stroke the efficiency and numerical strength of the French aerial
navy were reduced very appreciably. For instance, it is stated that
there were thirty escadrilles of Bleriot monoplanes together with pilots
at the front, in addition to thirty mixed escadrilles of the other
prohibited types with their fliers. Moreover a round 33 escadrilles of
all the various types were in reserve. The effect of the military order
was to reduce the effective strength by no fewer than 558 aeroplanes.

Seeing that the French aerial force was placed at a great disadvantage
numerically by this action, there seems to be ample justification for
the hostile criticism which the decree of prohibition aroused in certain
circles, especially when it is remembered that there was not an equal
number of the accepted machines available to take the place