![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
could be counted on to give us little or no assistance. Italy, though successfully organized, was operating on a small scale and we could draw upon her to a limited extent only. In France, however, there were possibilities of manufacturing expansion, together with the necessary experience in design and construction, that would serve the American needs until the American industry could get going, provided the United States would and could supply the raw materials. So, on August 30, 1917, we drew a contract with the French (signed for the United States by General Pershing and for France by Daniel Vincent, under secretary of State for Military Aeronautics) covering 5,000 airplanes and 8,500 engines to cover the requirements of the American Expeditionary Forces in airplanes, engines, and all aeronautical accessories for the coming year. Thus, the A.E.F. adopted a policy of expecting no real help in aircraft production from the United States before the fall of 1918. This contract provided that the French government would delivery to the Air Service, A.E.F, by June 1, 1918, 5000 airplanes and 8,500 engines. On its part, the United States was to furnish by November 1, 1917, certain specified tools and raw materials necessary to the ultimate fulfillment of the French obligation. The contract also provided that the airplanes and engines to be furnished by the French by February 1 1918, would be supplied even though the United States should be unable to deliver, on schedule time, its quota of material and tools. It was upon the provisions of this agreement, that the Air Service, American Expedition Forces, planned its program of training and of placing aero squadrons on the fighting front. General Pershing's telegram hereinbefore quoted should not be misconstrued for it is to be noted that neither the Allies nor the authorities of the American Expeditionary Forces, in planning the American air program for the western front, based any plans upon American airplanes being received in Europe as early as February of 1918. While it is true that both the Americans and French failed to properly perform under this particular contract that there were recriminations on both sides and that this contract was superceded by one dated May 3, 1918, it is likewise true that, at no time did the Allies fail to provide us with sufficient airplanes to completely serve our actual needs. When the Armistice was signed, we had of airplanes, both from the Allies and manufactured in the United States, not only a full complement for all the aero units that we -22-