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-14-

General Trenchard, commanding the Independent Royal Air Force, consisting of three Day and four Night Bombardment Squadrons, had agreed to cooperate with us. These units were located just south of Nancy. 

[Left margin] No, D.H.'s. [/Left margin]

After the concentration had been effected, the total number of planes on hand under the Army Command were 1476, the largest assembly of aviation that had ever been engaged in one operation, of which 959 were available for duty. Of these 564 were American and 912 French. 20 balloons were in position, of which 14 were American and 6 French. The Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles was designated as the supply base for replenishment of equipment and personnel at which point a large reserve of planes and pilots were assembled. Practically all facilities of the entire American Air Service were placed at the disposal of the First Army for the battle, and as a result, it was possible to keep the units at full strength during the entire engagement.

This sector had been exceedingly quiet for a period of approximately four years. During the preceding months our Air Service units stationed in this area had been working constantly over the Front and it was essential that the normal activity of the sector should remain unchanged. At the same time it was also essential that the concentration of the First Army be unobserved and that hostile reconnaissance be prevented so that our activities would be shielded from observation. 

With this end in view the general plan of employment [Struckthrough] outlined for the Air Service on September 7th consisted of four stages: