After the declaration of war the construction of training fields proceeded with such rapidity that the demand for training equipment greatly exceeded the output. Since the latter part of 1917, however, the supply of elementary training planes and engines has been more than sufficient to meet the demands, while the situation as regards certain types of planes for advanced training has greatly improved. Approximately 17,000 cadets were graduated from ground schools; 8,602 reserve military aviators were graduated from elementary training schools; and 4,028 aviators completed the course in advanced training provided in this country. Pending the provision of adequate equipment for specialized advanced training, the policy was adopted of sending students overseas for a short finishing course before going into action. The shortage of skilled mechanics with sufficient knowledge of aeroplanes and motors was met by the establishment of training schools from which over 14,000 mechanics were graduated.
At the cessation of hostilities there were in training as aviators in the United States 6,528 men, of whom 22 per cent were in ground schools, 37 per cent in elementary schools, and 41 per cent in advanced training schools. The number of men in training as aviator mechanics was 2,154.
FORCES AT THE FRONT
Early in 1918 the first squadrons composed of American personnel provided with French planes appeared at the front. The number was increased as rapidly as equipment could be obtained. On September 30, the date of the latest available information, there were 32 squadrons at the front; of these 15 were pursuit, 13 observation, and 4 bombing. The first squadron equipped with American planes reached the front in the latter part of July.
LOSSES IN BATTLE AND IN TRAINING
Though the casualties in the air force were small as compared with the total strength, the casualty rate of the flying personnel at the front was somewhat above the artillery and infantry rates. The reported battle fatalities up to October 24 were 128 and accident fatalities overseas 244. The results of Allied and American experience at the front indicate that two aviators lose their lives in accidents for each aviator killed in battle. The fatalities at training fields in the United States to October 24th were 262.
[A later official report gave the total U. S. aviators lost in combat as 171, and those killed by accident as 554.]
COMMISSIONED AND ENLISTED STRENGTH
On America’s entrance into the war, the personnel of the Air Service consisted of 65 officers and 1,120 men. When the armistice was signed the total strength was slightly over 190,000, comprising about 20,000 commissioned officers, over 6,000 cadets under training, and 164,000 enlisted men. In addition to the cadets under training, the flying personnel was composed of about 11,000 officers, of whom approximately 42 per cent were with the Expeditionary Force when hostilities ceased. The Air Service constituted slightly over 5 per cent of the total strength of the Army.
GENERAL PERSHING’S REPORT