Aviation Goes to War: World War One in the Air

Imperialism, nationalism, entangling alliances and the assassination of an archduke all came together in Europe in the summer of 1914 to ignite the powder keg that would explode producing the First World War. Aviation was still in its infancy. Suddenly machines made of wood, fabric and wire were taking to the skies all over Europe. Being used at first just for reconnaissance it did not take long for the aviators to try to bring down their enemies with every weapon possible. Four years of war would see rapid progress not only in engines and weapons but also in tactics. It would see the beginning of aerial bombardment as well. Join Duane E. Shaffer for this program on aviation history.