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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 1052.PDF
(7H3 its aircraft—a position which was rightly regarded as being vitally wrong. Fortunately, this state of things no longer obtains, for not only has the result of the competition proved complete efficiency in an engine of British design and construction throughout, but it will also be noticed that British engines comprise exactly one-half of the different makes that secured awards. Thus, Great Britain has now arrived at a period when it is no longer dependent on other countries for aircraft engines, for in addition to those of a complete all-British character, there are also available several successful types, which, while of Continental origin, are also now being produced in British workshops by British workmen. • «• • The present European war is unique in at ~ftter least two special directions ; first, in regard Iron Crosses. t0 l^e extended and successful employ ment of motor transport in all branches of the military operations, and, not secondly, but, from our point of view, foremost, the extremely valuable work that has been, and is being, achieved by aircraft. As com pared with motor transport, the aeroplane is a younger development in the application of the internal-combustion engine, but, younger though it be, it is none the less doing its full part in the great struggle for victory over the world's enemy. Time was, and that not so very long ago, when many criticisms were raised—and rightly—as to the relative position of this country as compared with that of Con tinental nations, from a military aviation point of view. Fortunately, in the nick of time, a free hand was given to the Executive, with the result that by supreme efforts the leeway due to the procrastination in the past of the Government has been made up, and enabled the splendid personnel of our air services to prove themselves fully the equal of any now in the field. Field-Marshal Sir John French, the Commander-in- Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, has, unfortu nately, been too busily engaged otherwise to send home many despatches as to the progress of events at the front, but each of those he has submitted has contained highly complimentary references to the work that is being achieved by the Royal Flying Corps. His words are relatively few, but are very much to the point, and will, doubtless, be more appreciated by those to whom they refer than all the innumerable Iron Crosses put together, which the Kaiser is reported to be awarding to his men. Although, doubtless, the Field-Marshal's latest message has already been read far and wide, we feel we are justified in giving special prominence in the editorial columns of FLIGHT to the praise he has un reservedly given to the Royal Flying Corps, which, although undoubtedly well-deserved, is none the less a welcome tribute. The extracts from Sir John French's latest despatches are as follows :— *' Sir David Henderson and the Royal Flying Corps under his command have again proved their incalculable value. Great strides have been made in the use of aircraft in the tactical sphere by establishing effective communication between aircraft and units in action. " In my despatch of September 7th, I mentioned the name of Rrigadier-General Sir David Henderson and his valuable work in fc ® For the Troops at the Front. LADV FRENCH, wife of Field-Marshal Sir John French, has had such a generous response to her appeal for comforts for the soldiers at the front, that she finds her house inadequate for storing the large quantity of OCTOBER 23, 1014. command of the Royal Flying Corps, and I have once more to express my deep appreciation of the help he has since rendered me." Thus, once again, the existence of British energy, perseverance, and pluck—for it requires no small measure of the latter to undertake work associated with such great risks—have been demonstrated to be no chimera, but a solid reality. The Field-Marshall does not particularise the work our flying officers are doing in the war, but at times some slight reference emerges in the reports of the official "eye-witness" issued by the Press Bureau, which must, we presume, satisfy for the moment. From the communications of many of the special correspondents in France of our daily papers fortunately we obtain now and again some slight glimpses of the glorious work being accomplished. Thus from official sources it is stated that up to September 21st the mileage made by our flying officers since the beginning of the war amounted to no less than 87,000 miles, an average of 2,000 miles a day. Hitherto the names of the officer pilots who have been carrying through this important section of the military operations—that of keeping our commanding officers in touch with the disposition of the enemy—have not generally been known, but Sir John French has now filled this lacune by including in his long list of those in the different branches of the Army service singled out for special mention the names of nearly thirty flying officers who have earned distinction in the carrying out of their duties, and whom we in this country have every reason to honour. Although no similar eulogium has as yet been issued with regard to the operations of the Royal Naval Air Service, this branch of the country's protection is none the less doing extremely valuable work, probably much more than can be realised by the general public. That which has been allowed to transpire—particularly the daring visit of several of the Service pilots to Cologne and Diisseldorf—has, indeed, perhaps not been so well appreciated here as it has been from the enemy's point of view. In Germany, according to an official notice issued in that country, it has produced in certain circles of the population " a feeling that is not in accord with the energetic and vigorous characteristics of the German people." In other words, the Germans, since the appearance of British aircraft, are showing themselves to be by no means the fearless and philosophical creatures they would have us believe. Indeed, on the other hand, they are proving themselves to be extremely nervous and worried, especially in the Dusseldorf district, where the military officer in command has found it necessary to issue a long proclama tion imploring the frightened townsfolk to calm themselves. It is a mistake to despise one's enemy, and it would be foolish to ignore the reality of the German menance ; at the same time, we cannot forget that these are the people who aspire to dominate the world and fancied at the outset that it was just a " walk over." Results have shewn that the enemy is far from having it all his own way, and we of FLIGHT are happy in the thought that the aircraft section of our Naval and Military Services are in this task of not merely holding up but of pushing back the Germans, playing an invaluable part. ® ® goods which have been received. She asks that any further contributions of mufflers or money may be sent to 39, Berkeley Square, W. (which has been lent for the purpose by Mr. and Mrs. Almeric Paget), and all other goods such as socks, belts, &c, to 54, Beauchamp Place, S.W. 1052
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