Following the November 1918 Armistice any demand for combat aircraft virtually disappeared overnight. Naturally enough the only air forces worthy of any stature were those who had taken part in the war of 1914-1918. Those of the defeated Central Powers were forbidden to exist under the terms of the Armistice, while the victorious Allies, having emerged triumphant from the conflict then proceeded to dismantle their defence forces in almost indecent haste. At the time of the Armistice the RAF was the most powerful air force in the world, with 22,000 aircraft on charge, of which 3,300 represented first-line strength in squadrons, while personnel amounted to 291,00 officers and men. However the RAF's early ascendancy was destined to be short-lived, when in 1919 the Government adopted a savage policy of retrenchment.