PÉRONNE CHÂTEAU (p. [107]).
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON. XXI Bis, 1-2,133-3-2020.
MICHELIN DURING THE WAR.
As early as 1908 Michelin became interested in Aviation, and foreseeing the possibilities of the aeroplane in warfare, he instituted in 1911 the "Aerocible" Prize for accurate bomb dropping.
In 1912 Michelin sounded a note of warning in his famous booklet "Notre Avenir est dans l'air." Throughout the war he concentrated the whole of his energies and resources on the study and production of bombing planes.
Gen. Gallieni, of Marne fame, was so impressed with the results obtained that he created and placed at Michelin's disposal a special aviation ground at Aulnat, near Clermont-Ferrand.
The French military authorities, in furtherance of their 1910 aviation programme, requested Michelin to study all types of bomb-dropping apparatus for use on French bombing planes.
Michelin improvised an immense factory for the manufacture of bombing planes at his tyre works in Clermont-Ferrand, giving the first 100 planes to the army and supplying the balance at cost of manufacture.
Up to Armistice Day Michelin had supplied 1,864 bombing planes to the allied armies.