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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 1118.PDF
LA! CHT NOVEMBER 13, 1914. AEROPLANE WORK AT TSING-TAO. THE brief references made from time to time with regard to the use of aeroplanes in connection with the operations round Tsing-tao, came as a surprise to some people who had not realised the extent to which our Eastern Allies had adopted the newest arm of modern warfare. Some idea of the important work done by the Japanese pilots can however be gleaned from the following extracts from the Japan Weekly Mail of October 21st, 1914 :— Two Army aeroplanes, on September 25th, reconnoitred over the district along the highland on the left bank of the Litsun River. They received more than 50 shots from the enemy on the right bank of the Haido River but suffered no damage. Early in the morning of September 26th, one aeroplane scouted over the left bank of the Litsun River, while another prepared for attack by the enemy's aeroplane. During this reconnoitring, the aeroplanes were fired upon by the enemy but escaped unhurt. In the afternoon, during our attack on the enemy, one aeroplane kept flying over the enemy's positions and enabled us to ascertain by its reports the movement of the enemy. ***** An official statement made by the War Department yesterday afternoon is as follows :— " One monoplane and two biplanes of our Aviation Corps left their base of operations between 6.50 and 7 o'clock in I he morning of the 27th, and bombed the enemy's vessels to the west of Tsang- kow. They threw many bombs from an altitude of from seven to eight hundred metres. " According to the observations of the aviators, most of the missiles either effectively hit the enemy's vessels or exploded close to them. The enemy were thrown into great confusion, and con stantly moved to and fro to dodge the bombs, and fired their quick- firing rifles and machine guns promiscuously. One of our biplanes was hit by a machine-rifle bullet, the other by 26 bullets and two ® ® WHAT FRENCH P A CONSIDERABLE amount of criticism having been levelled at the lack of news regarding the activities of the aviation branch of the French Army, an official note was issued in Paris on November 8th. The following gives the principal points in the communique:— Our aviators operate daily behind the German lines. Their achievements, although anonymous, are numerous and brilliant. They give information to our com manding officers, who find in them an invaluable auxiliary amcerning the movements of the enemy and the progress of columns and supplies. They are not liable to be stopped like cavalry by the uninterrupted lines of trenches. They fly over positions and batteries, enabling our forces to aim with accuracy : they drop bombs on gatherings of troops, convoys and staffs, and are an instrument of demolition and demorali sation. They clear the skies of Taubes. The notebooks found on the German dead and wounded and prisoners go to prove that our aviation branch has performed its duty well, and produced at times the most startling effects. A few examples will suffice:— Sept. 3rd.—In the course of a reconnaissance a French pilot was attacked by a German aviator. The latter was promptly pursued by a second French aviator, who, subjecting him to a violent rifle fusillade, forced him precipitately to descend. Sept. 5th.—A French aviator struck a bivouac of a company of ® ® Hostile Aircraft in Scotland. THE following is the text of a placard which has re cently been issued throughout Scotland :— £100 REWARD. Numerous reports of the presence of hostile aircraft in Scotland have recently been received. If these reports are true it is probable that the hostile aircraft have been operating from a secret base in some unfrequented part gun shots, and the monoplane by five bullets. None of the crews or motors, however, were hurt, although the stem of the right wing of one of the aeroplanes was broken. The attack, in short, was attended by highly satisfactory results. " One of OUT monoplanes flew over the enemy's position, and brought to our Army headquarters extremely useful report." The seaplanes have been contributing more important service to our movement recently. On September 2tst, Lieut. Wada and Sub-Lieut. Fujise made a flight over Tsing-tao and after spying out the general conditions of the enemy, threw down several bombs, two of which hit the base of the defence works on the southern end of an arsenal and seem to have destroyed it. During this reconnoitring, the seaplane was shot at from the enemy on land and sea, and although several shots narrowly missed the machine, the aviators returned safely. On September 22nd, Lieut. Yamada and Sub-Lieut. Iikura, on a seaplane, reconnoitred again over Tsing-tao and dropping bombs, one of which hit and exploded on the eastern corner of the barracks of the Bismarck forts. The seaplane received shots from the enemy, but escaped unhurt. On September 24th, Lieut. Wada and Sub-Lieut. Takebe on a seaplane, and Lieut. Yamada and Sub-Lieut. Osaki on another, scouted over Tsing-tao, and after having made important survey of the enemy's position, bombed the German destroyer, the forts, the barracks, and the wireless station, the effect of which is believed to have been good. Lieut.-Commander Kaneko and Sub-Lieut. Fujise on a seaplane made a flight over the section outside Laoshan Bay, and detected machine mines, and achieved satisfactory results. On September 27th Lieut.-Commander Kaneko, Lieut. Wada and Lieut.-Engineer Hanajima on a seaplane, Sub-Lieuts. Osaki and Fujise on another, and Sub-Lieuts. Takebe and Itakura on still another, made effective reconnoitring over Tsing-tao, and threw bombs on the wireless station and the aerodrome. They were shot at by the enemy, but none suffered the slightest damage. ® ® ILOTS ARE DOING. 1118 the Guards, with the result that 8 men and 8 horses fell, while 32 soldiers were wounded. Sept. 12th.—A German non-commissioned officer showed his men a coat almost torn to tatters, which belonged to one of some 60 men wounded by a projectile that had just then been hurled by one of our aviators. End of Sept.—At Autry a bomb killed some 30 soldiers at the edge of the Seruit, another projectile killing or wounding 20 soldiers. A staff major installed there had to change his quarters in all haste. Oct. 9th.—A bomb which burst in the midst of a group of cavalry men killed 30 men and 50 horses. Oct. 15th.—To the south-east of Lille a cavalry division which had been pursued and fired on during the whole of the day was.at length prevented from carrying out its object by a bomb. Nov. 1st.—A staff major at Thielt had a severe trial from the tire of our aeroplanes, which hurled 32 bombs or shells there. On their side the British aviators, whose activity is well known, pushed as far as Diisseldorf, and did great damage to the hangars and balloons at that place. All these feats have been accomplished under the fire of the enemy, and not a single French aviator has appeared without being greeted by a salvo of grape shot or shells. The enemy's fire.has not failed to cause us losses, but reserve pilots, burning with a desire to wage aerial warfare, have obtained permission instantly to mount the skies. In short, the new arm has fulfilled its promise and has duly taken its part in the general success. ® & of Scotland, where they are able to obtain supplies of oil, petrol and other stores. The above reward will be paid by the military authorities to any person who gives information leading to the discovery of any place which is being used in this manner. Such a base would probably consist of a store of oil and petrol concealed in an unfrequented locality, possibly in charge of an armed caretaker. Information should be given to the nearest military or police officer. (Signed) J. S. EWART, Lieutenant-General, Commanding-in-Chief, Scottish Command.
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