Why many First World War pilots lacked parachutes

First World War pilots' lack of parachutes cannot be explained solely by beliefs about bravery or duty. Allied aircraft often offered neither enough cockpit space nor enough weight margin to carry one. Some German units did issue parachutes, and Hermann Göring was among the pilots whose lives were saved by one. The precise German stowage arrangement is uncertain here and should not be assumed to match a modern backpack system. Equipment constraints and differences between units complicate comparisons with later pilots who chose to remain in damaged aircraft.