![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
had been able to train and put on the fighting front, but also ample reserves in our European depots. America furnished the materials and supplies in vast quantities that made possible the maintenance of the allied Air Forces and finally resulted in their predominance by nearly 100 percent on the western front. When hostilities ceased on November, 1918, the Allies had 6784 airplanes at the front against the enemy's 3352. On Armistice Day there were actually assigned to and in use with American armies 45 American squadrons equipped with 740 American owned air- planes, with armament of the latest type. On that day, America had 1620 service planes available for use on the front. Twelve of these squadrons were equipped with American build airplanes with Liberty engines. Prior to the Armistice, the American Army had received at the front 2925 service planes from all sources. The popular story that we were forced to "borrow" our airplanes from "bleeding France and stricken England" is incorrect. It sacrifices facts to sensational- ism. A total of 5071 airplanes was received and paid for from allied sources. Of this number 2575 were service planes used by the American forces in Europe. France, alone, sold and delivered to us 4791 airplanes (2605 training and 2186 service planes). An average of spare engines in the proportion of one to four was maintained for service airplanes bought over seas. Our squadrons were fur- nished with quantities of spare parts, 50% in excess of those furnished by the French to their own similar units. For each American machine shot down in combat, an average of over two and one half of the enemy were shot down. The first American built DH-4 airplane arrived in France from the United States in May 11, 1918. It, and all other American built airplanes, had to be shipped from the seaports to the Air Service Production Center #2 at Romorantin, France.This Romorantin Depot received, assembled, tested and equipped with all the latest accessories the airplanes received from America.On August 2, 1918, a squardon of the American built airplanes (DH-4's) with the Liberty engines, were used over the front lines for the first time. At this date the allied airplane strength was 5528 against the enemy's plane strenght of 3309. Certainly America's supply effort had not failed the Allies. Up to November 11, a total of 1,213 American built airplanes and 2,083 Liberty engines had been reveived overseas. Of this number, 1,087 airplanes were assembled and of this number 628 were dis- patched to the front. Of course,many also went to American Training Centers. There were 196 American built airplanes in actual use at the front on Armistice day. -23-