British aircraft statistics from the Battle of the Somme in 1916
One of the most common misconceptions regarding the First World War, and particularly the First Battle of the Somme, was that it was fought only on land and between soldiers and artillery, however the respective air forces played a large part, not only in the fighting and bombing, but also in gathering information and reconnaissance. This graph shows the aircraft statistics regarding the British Royal Flying Corps (which later became the Royal Air Force) during the First Battle of the Somme in 1916.
From the graph we can see that well over 1,000 aircraft were used by the Royal Flying Corps during the battle, and over the course of the 4.5 month battle 972 were destroyed beyond repair or went missing. There were 410 aircraft available on the first day of the battle on July 1, and by the end of the fighting on November 17, there were 550 aircraft available, in 27 and 35 squadrons respectively. As the battle progressed and progress became stagnant, many aircraft were flown in from Britain or relocated from other areas of France to support the efforts in the Somme. By the end of the battle the Royal Flying Corpse had sustained a total of 767 casualties to its airmen.
From the graph we can see that well over 1,000 aircraft were used by the Royal Flying Corps during the battle, and over the course of the 4.5 month battle 972 were destroyed beyond repair or went missing. There were 410 aircraft available on the first day of the battle on July 1, and by the end of the fighting on November 17, there were 550 aircraft available, in 27 and 35 squadrons respectively. As the battle progressed and progress became stagnant, many aircraft were flown in from Britain or relocated from other areas of France to support the efforts in the Somme. By the end of the battle the Royal Flying Corpse had sustained a total of 767 casualties to its airmen.
