<P> Even so , air reconnaissance played a critical role in the `` war of movement '' of 1914 , especially in helping the Allies halt the German invasion of France . On 22 August 1914 , British Captain L.E.O. Charlton and Lieutenant V.H.N. Wadham reported German General Alexander von Kluck 's army was preparing to surround the BEF , contradicting all other intelligence . The British High Command took note of the report and started to withdraw toward Mons , saving the lives of 100,000 soldiers . Later , during the First Battle of the Marne , observation aircraft discovered weak points and exposed flanks in the German lines , allowing the allies to take advantage of them . </P>
<P> Even so , air reconnaissance played a critical role in the `` war of movement '' of 1914 , especially in helping the Allies halt the German invasion of France . On 22 August 1914 , British Captain L.E.O. Charlton and Lieutenant V.H.N. Wadham reported German General Alexander von Kluck 's army was preparing to surround the BEF , contradicting all other intelligence . The British High Command took note of the report and started to withdraw toward Mons , saving the lives of 100,000 soldiers . Later , during the First Battle of the Marne , observation aircraft discovered weak points and exposed flanks in the German lines , allowing the allies to take advantage of them . </P>
when was the first plane used in ww1
when was the first plane used in ww1
1914
1914