"Fighter pilot and Commanding Officer checking a map, in France, during World War I. Standing in front of his two-seater biplane, this pilot refers to a map reference with the Commanding Officer of his company. Inside the plane, his co-pilot checks over the instrument panel with a member of the ground staff who is taking notes. A machine-gun, complete with a swivelling accessory, is attached to the rear cockpit. An aerial battle between two or more aeroplanes was called a 'dogfight'. At the start of the war, fighter planes had two seats, with the pilot sitting in the front and a gunner occupying the rear cockpit. As the war continued, however, single piloted aircraft became more prevalent, since they were clearly more effective during a 'dogfight '. During a 'dogfight ', pilots used cloud cover as an aerial form of camouflage, and often swooped down on their prey from out of the sun. [Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE. C.O. with pilot and observer referring to photos and maps prior to setting out for the German lines.']"

Note: While the sourced description refers to the pilot being a fighter pilot, this is likely not the case, at least not when this photo was taken. Unlike other reconnaissance/bombers, such as the F.E.2, the R.E.8 was never considered a fighter by any means.