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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0850.PDF
pGHf] the forts of Wilhelmshaven and Kiel. We may be sure they are up and doing somewhere, and that they will be heard of to some purpose before the impending great battle is joined. On Tuesday morning the Daily Mail correspondent in Paris reported that it was officially announced that much fighting had occurred round Longwy, and that a severe action had been fought near Mulhausen, adding the note that "Aeroplanes, manoeuvring under heavy fire, played a large part in the action." Anything more unsatisfying to the anxious student it would be hard to imagine. Not a word to enlighten us as to whose aeroplanes these were, or what the results of their work ! And yet, as it is, we would not have it otherwise. We must wait and see. It may not be until the end of the war and when the official histories come to be compiled that we will really know. But although speculation of a specific kind is quite useless, we may be certain in a general way that most important use is being made of aircraft, both dirigibles and aeroplanes, by all the im mense forces which are involved. That much at least we gather from the shreds of information that leak through from the front. At home here we are anxious to know what is the value of our seaplanes. Are they being used and how? Have they justified the hopes of our naval commanders or exceeded them ? That they should fall short we ® ® 85 AUGUST 14, 1914. cannot imagine. Have they obtained contact with the enemy? All these things we would know and more besides, but it cannot be—yet. We must possess our souls in patience, hoping, believing that when at last the screen is lifted we shall see what we so ardently desire— the vision of duty unfalteringly done, duty which will have helped to secure for all time the glory and safety of the Motherland, and Peace for the entire world. In a well-considered leader in the Daily Telegraph, the following high tribute to the importance of aircraft is made. A greater incentive to see that at all costs Great Britain shall be supreme in the air could hardly be perused:— " The German plan is clear. It is also unalterable, now that matters are so far advanced. Everything is being staked upon the success of a movement, in enormous strength, through the neutral territories of Luxemburg and Belgium. A definite assurance of this is, we need scarcely point out, of priceless advantage to the French and their allies. They know where the main strength of the enemy is massed, and what its intention is; they even know approximately what numbers and what sort of troops are being brought up against them on the ascertained line of advance. No defence could ask more. That they enjoy this knowledge is undoubtedly due in the main to the flying men. For some years past it has been plainly demonstrated in peace manoeuvres that the air service, well conducted, makes secrecy in regard to the concen tration of troops impossible. In modern conditions an impenetrable screening of an army's disposition of force, such as the German cavalry effected in 1870, is no longer feasible." ® ® ROYAL FLYING CORPS. ARTISANS AND OTHER TRADESMEN WANTED. THE following notice was posted outside the War Office on Monday afternoon :— " The Royal Flying Corps, Military Wing. Special enlistment of tradesmen for one year, or the duration of the war. Men of the following trades are urgently required : Blacksmiths, cable-joiners, carpenters and joiners, clerks, coppersmiths, draughtsmen (mechanical), drillers, dynamo attendants, electric bell fitters, electri cians, engine testers, fitters, instrument repairers, joiners, metal joiners, motor fitters, painters, pattern makers, photographers, plumbers, riggers, sail makers, switch board attendants, tinsmiths, tool grinders, turners, wheel wrights, whitesmiths, wireless operators, wiremen, wood turners. " Men who have served as apprentices or improvers in a general mechanical engineering workshop, and in addition have served at full rate in a petrol motor engineering works, including experience in the engine test shop, or have served as aeroplane mechanics. They should have a good knowledge of general motor engineering and a thorough knowledge of the principle of magneto and coil ignition, and be able to make intelligible sketches of machinery details, and rough calculations connected therewith. " Pay varies according to trade, from 4.?. to "js. 6d. per day, all found. Applicants for enlistment should apply in person to the Craig's Court entrance of the Central London Recruiting Depot, or to the Officer Commanding the Military Wing, Royal Flying Corps, Farnborough, Hants, and must be prepared to furnish certificates of character, of previous trade experience, and of present trade qualifications." The response to this appeal was so great that on Wednesday night it was announced that further recruiting for the Royal Flying Corps was suspended until further notice. So many applications had been received that it was impossible to reply to them all individually.
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