The possibilities of the new aerial arm were further
demonstrated in the creation of a barrage, as effective as that of heavy
artillery, for the purpose of holding back advancing bodies of infantry.
In the first days of the German offensive there took place an aerial
battle which up to that time was unique in the annals of warfare. It was
a battle not merely for the purpose of gaining the mastery of the air,
but to aid Allied infantry and artillery in stemming the tide of the
German advance, and when the drive finally slowed down and came to a
halt in Picardy, the Allied airmen had undoubtedly contributed largely
to the result.
During March 21 and 22, 1918--the opening days of the great German
drive--there was comparatively little aerial activity. The aviators of
both sides were preparing for the impending battle, which actually began
on the morning of March 23d and lasted all that day and the day
following.
The story of the air battle of March 23d-24th reads like one of the most
extraordinary adventure tales ever imagined. The struggle began with
squadrons of airplanes ascending and maneuvering as perfectly as
cavalry. They rose to dizzy heights, and, descending, swept the air
close to the ground. The individual pilots of the opposing sides then
began executing all manner of movements, climbing, diving, turning in
every direction, and seeking to get into the best position to pour
machine-gun fire into enemy airplanes.
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