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23 Feb 1917- No. 100 Sqn arrives in France as the first night bomber squadron. It is equipped with FE2b aircraft. Originally formed at Hingham, Norfolk, the squadron moves to France a month later.

April 1917- In the first week of "Bloody April", the RFC lost 75 aircraft in action. Average life expectancy of a pilot in France during this time was 2 months, and some aircrew were arriving with as little as 17.5 hours flying time under their belt. By the end of the month the RFC had lost a total of 150 aircraft and 316 aircrew, the French and Belgians 200 aircraft and the Germans 370.

6 Apr 1917- The United States declares war on Germany. At this time the US Army Aviation Section had less than 300 aircraft, none of them combat types, and only 35 qualified pilots. The US Navy and Marine Corps had 54 aircraft, 48 officers and 239 enlisted men.

13 Jun 1917- Germany launches the first heavy bomber raid against London. 18 Gotha aircraft kill 162 people and injure over 400. The RFC fails to shoot any of the raiders down.

7 Jul 1917- 22 Gothas launch a second daylight air attack on London, killing 57 people and injuring 193. 108 sorties were launched in defence, and one Gotha was shot down, and three others suffered severe damage. Two defending aircraft were also shot down.

2 Aug 1917- Squadron Commander E H Dunning, RN, carried out the first ever landing by an aircraft on a ship under way when he landed his Sopwith Pup on the deck of the converted light cruiser HMS Furious. 5 days later, Dunning was killed when, as he attempted to repeat the feat, his aircraft stalled and was blown over the side. The aircraft was not fitted with a hook as modern naval aircraft are - members of the ship's crew would grab underwing loops and "catch" the aircraft as it flew past.

19 Oct 1917- 11 Zeppelins carried out the last airship raid on Britain. Because of the great height of the Zeppelins during the attack, and because the gun and searchlight positions were ordered to remain covered, the attack was known as the "Silent Raid". Five airships were lost - the biggest disaster suffered by the German Naval Airship Service.

20 Nov 1917- The Battle of Cambrai begins. During the attack, RFC aircraft drop bombs on anti-tank guns and strongpoints to clear a path for the Allied advance - an early example of the "Blitzkrieg" tactics used by the Germans so effectively in World War II.

March 1918- The Germans gain air superiority over The Somme. German strength on the Western Front stood at some 730 aircraft (including 326 fighters), whilst the RFC faced it with 579 aircraft (including 261 fighters). Opposite the French, the Germans had an additional 367 aircraft; the French some 2000. RFC reconnaissance flights reported that enemy units were being relieved by fresh units - a sure sign that an attack was imminent.

21 Mar 1918- The Germans begin a major offensive on the Western Front. By nightfall 17 RFC squadrons were forced to evacuate airfields in danger of being overrun by oncoming enemy forces.

23 - 29 Mar 1918- Air activity intensifies with up to 70 aircraft involved in a single air combat. RFC and RNAS squadrons carry out low level attacks against German target causing great disruption. By the end of the month this continued pressure caused the German advance to falter - the first time large scale use of air power had had a direct influence on the outcome of a battle.

1 Apr 1918- The Royal Air Force and Women's Royal Air Force are formed.

21 Apr 1918- Baron Manfred von Richtofen, otherwise known as "The Red Baron" is shot down and killed near Corbie. The top scoring fighter pilot of WWI with 80 kills, von Richtofen was variously claimed by Captain Roy Brown of 209 Sqn RAF, Australian gunners of the 24th Machine Gun Company and members of the 53rd Battery, 1402 Field Artillery Brigade.

19 - 20 May 1918- Germany mounts its largest (and ultimately last) aircraft raid on Britain, killing 49 and injuring 177 people. From a total of 43 bombers dispatched, 33 actually carry out the raid. Six were lost - 2 to intercepting fighters, 3 to anti-aircraft fire and one due to engine failure over Essex.

14 Jun 1918- The German offensive on the Western Front ends.

August 1918- The RAF introduce offensive fighter sweeps on the Western Front. These sweeps normally consisted of Sopwith Camels flying at 10000 feet; SE5as at 14000 feet and Bristol Fighters at 18000 feet.

6 Aug 1918- Four German Zeppelins carry out the last air raid on Britain. One, carrying the head of the German Naval Airship Service, was shot down near Kings Lynn, Norfolk. No British casualties or damage were reported.

8 Aug 1918- The Allies launch a major offensive on the Western Front. Heavy fighting results in losses of around a quarter of all aircraft. In the week 5 - 11 August, the RAF alone claims 177 enemy kills against 150 losses.

September 1918- Allied air power continues in support of offensives against Germany's last line of defence, "The Hindenberg Line". Between 11 - 15 September, 1483 aircraft of all kinds (the largest concentration in WWI) are employed in the assault on St. Mihiel Salient during the Battle of Bapaume.

21 Sep 1918- RAF aircraft in Palestine attack and destroy the retreating Turkish Seventh Army at Wadi el Fara. TE Lawrence wrote: "It was the RAF which converted the retreat into a rout, which had abolished their telephone and telegraph connections, had blocked their lorry columns and scattered their infantry units".

27 Sep 1918- The Allies attack the Hindenberg Line.

8 Oct 1918- The Hindenderg Line is captured.

14 Oct 1918- The largest bomb of the war, 1650lbs, is dropped by a Handley Page 0/400 aircraft of the Independent Air Force.

4 - 10 Nov 1918- The last intense combat of WWI. The RAF claim 68 enemy aircraft for 60 losses.

11 Nov 1918- At 10:45 on the morning of November 11th, the crew of a 15 Sqn RE.8 observation aircraft landed at Auchy and reported no enemy aircraft or anti-aircraft fire seen. Fifteen minutes later, Armistice with Germany was declared and the war ended.

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