Rectangular canvas first aid kit containing several bandages and a bottle of anti-tetanus serum, used by German Air Force during first World War, German, 1914-1918

The inscription on the front of this German first aid kit translates as “First aid-bag for airplanes”. Used by the German Air Force during the First World War, the kit contains several bandages and a bottle of anti-tetanus serum. Tetanus is usually acquired through wound infections, and causes muscles to go rigid from the jaw downwards throughout the whole body.

Aeroplanes were initially used by all sides for scouting and spying rather than as fighters or bombers – a situation that changed as the war progressed.