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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0994.PDF
[/ygHT) least, too wide in their possible meanings, if they are not actually incorrect in themselves when regarded from a scientific standpoint, as well as in their true and original application. There is, however, still another aspect cf the question to which we may refer-—the national aspect. Even at the present time, there are various French expressions occasionally used that have been imported into our vocabulary, in many instances, because there are no corresponding English terms obtainable by direct trans lation, while in others they have gained acceptance purely through use by the French in the very early days of the industry. Their continuance, in the opinion of many, is, however, not desirable, as in most cases they can be replaced by alternative English words which are now growing in number, while, as the pronunciation of the French equivalent is often atrocious, there is ample ® ® MORE R.F.C. FURTHER detailed reference as to the work of the Royal Flying Corps at the front was made in an official despatch from General Headquarters, covering the period September 18th to 22nd, and issued by the Press Bureau on the 24th ult. The details are as follows:— "During the day's (September 18th) fighting an anti aircraft gun of the Third Army Corps succeeded in bringing down a German aeroplane. "Another hostile aeroplane was brought down by us, and one of our aviators succeeded in dropping several bombs over the German lines, one incendiary bomb falling with considerable effect on a transport park near La Fere. Photo by Capt. Oswald Watt. OUR FLIGHT OFFICERS AT T HE FRONT.—Lieut. Lawrence, R.F.C., and Lieut. WlnRfield Smith, R.F.C., with a B.E. at . OCTOBER 2, 1914. justification for the substitution of others of English origin wherever possible. Hence, the sooner the commoner and more technical expressions are defined and given a correct and an authoritative interpretation, the less will be the opportunity for wrong phraseology to gain acceptance through custom or by continued use. The main principle to be borne in mind in formulating these definitions should be, that they are to fix one's ideas ; and this, we believe, is the spirit in which the terms, which we publish elsewhere in this issue, have been examined by the Technical Terms Committee of the Aeronautical Society. This work represents only one of the directions in which the Aeronautical Society is rendering excellent service, and the Committee is to be congratulated upon the work which they have been able to accomplish—a work which is bound to awaken interest and possibly discussion. ® ® ACTIVITIES. " Amongst items of news are the following : Recently a pilot and observer of the Royal Flying Corps were forced by a breakage in the aeroplane to descend in the enemy's lines. The pilot managed to " pancake" his machine down to earth, and the two escaped into some thick undergrowth in a wood. The enemy came up and seized the smashed machine, but did not search for our men with much zeal. The latter lay hid till dark, and then found their way to the Aisne, across which they swam, reaching camp in safety, but barefooted." In an official despatch detailing the operations on September 23rd, and issued by the Press Bureau on September 29th, there was the following :— " Wednesday, the 23rd, was a perfect autumn day. It passed without incident as regards major operations, though the enemy concentrated their heavy artillery fire upon the plateau near Paissy. "Nothing more than inconvenience, however, was caused. The welcome absence of wind gave our airmen a chance of which they took full advantage, gathering much information. " Unfortunately, one of our aviators, who has been particularly active in annoying the enemy by dropping bombs, was wounded in a duel in the air. " Being alone on a single-seater monoplane, he was not able to use a rifle, and whilst circling above a German two-seater in an endeavour to get within pistol shot, was hit by the observer of the latter, who was armed with a rifle. " He managed to fly back over our lines, and by great good luck descended close to a motor ambulance, which at once conveyed him to hospital. " Against this may be set off the fact that another of our fliers exploded a bomb amongst some led artillery horses, killing several and stampeding others. " On Thursday, the 24th, the fine weather continued, as did the lull in the action, the heavy German shells falling mostly near Pargnan. On both Wednesday and Thursday the weather was so fine that many flights were made by the aviators of the French, the British, and the Germans, producing corresponding activity amongst the anti-aircraft guns. So still and clear was the atmosphere towards evening on Wednesday and during the whole of Thursday that to those not specially on the look-out the presence of aeroplanes high above them was first made known by the bursting of the projectiles aimed at them. 994
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