Number of British airmen and casualties at 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 mostly 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 number of airmen, as well as their casualties from 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 over one thousand airmen were involved in the Battle of the Somme. The number of available pilots on July 1, 1916 was 426, and by the end of the battle this number had increased to 585. Over the course of the battle the Royal Flying Corps sustained 767 casualties to pilots and observers (observers were airmen who took part in reconnaissance and intelligence missions), and lost a further 972 aircraft.
From the graph we can see that over one thousand airmen were involved in the Battle of the Somme. The number of available pilots on July 1, 1916 was 426, and by the end of the battle this number had increased to 585. Over the course of the battle the Royal Flying Corps sustained 767 casualties to pilots and observers (observers were airmen who took part in reconnaissance and intelligence missions), and lost a further 972 aircraft.
