The first military aviation in Switzerland took the form of balloon transport pioneered by Swiss balloonist Eduard Spelterini; however, by 1914 there was still little official support for an air corps. The outbreak of World War I changed opinions drastically and cavalry officer Theodor Real was charged with forming a flying corps. He commandeered three civilian aircraft at Bern airfield and set about training nine pilots at a makeshift airfield close to Wankdorf Stadium, later moving to a permanent home at Dübendorf. Switzerland remained neutral and isolated during the conflict and the air corps confined its activities to training and exercises, reconnaissance and patrol. It was only with the worsening international situation in the 1930s that an effective air force was established at great cost, with more up-to-date aircraft such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Macchi MC.202 and the Morane-Sauliner D.3800 fighters, which were ordered from Germany, Italy and France respectively, although the Moranes were licence-built in Switzerland. Thus the Swiss Air Force as an autonomous military service was created in October 1936.
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