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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0983.PDF
SEPTEMBER 25, 1914. MORE IN the summary of the work of the British Expedi tionary Force issued by the Press Bureau on Tuesday, was included the following reference to the work of the Royal Flying Corps. It also contains the definite assur ance that so far the Zeppelins have not been seen above the firing line, the Germans relying on their smaller non-rigid airships:— " An incident which occurred some little time ago, during our retirement, is also worthy of record. On the 28th August, during the battle fought by the French along the Oise, between La Fere and Guise, one of the French commanders desired to make an air reconnais sance. It was found, however, that no observers were available. Wishing to help our Allies as much as possible, the British officer attached to this particular French Army volunteered to go up with a pilot to observe. He had never been in an aeroplane, but he made the ascent and produced a valuable reconnaissance report. Incidentally, he had a duel in the air at an altitude of 6,000 ft. with the observer of a German Taube monoplane which approached. He fired several shots, and drove off the ® ® Activity in German Works. IT would be expected that German aircraft works are working at fairly high pressure just now, but that they would hardly be as busy as a message from Berlin to [/JJGHT] TESTIMONY TO R.F.C. His action was much appreciated by their arrival in though airships two occasions. hostile aeroplane, the French. " In view of the many statements being made in the Press as to the use of ' Zeppelins' against us, it is interesting to note that the Royal Flying Corps, who have been out on reconnaissances on every day since France, have never seen a 'Zeppelin,' of a non-rigid type have been seen on Near the Marne, late one evening, two such were observed over the German forces. Aeroplanes were despatched against them, but in the darkness our pilots were uncertain of the airships' nationality and did not attack. It was afterwards made clear that they could not have been French. A week later an officer recon noitring to the flank saw an airship over the German forces and opposite the French. It had no distinguishing mark, and was assumed to belong to the latter, though it is now known that it also must have been a German craft. The orders of the Royal Flying Corps are to attack ' Zeppelins ' at once, and there is some disappoint ment at the absence of those targets." ® ® Amsterdam would appear to make out. According to this : " Each week one Zeppelin and seventy aeroplanes are completed. More than 10,000 men are said to have volunteered for service in the air fleet." It should be some raid, when it does come off! * Flight" Copyright THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE FLIGHT-LIEUT. RICHARD T. GATES.—The scene at Hendon Church upon the arrival of the gun-carriage bearing the coffin. 983
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