FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0142.PDF
JyCHT dispatched with instructions to bombard an enemy position, was engaged on two occasions by a German aviator armed with a machine gun. Our aeroplane was hit by about 20 shots, but, nevertheless, continued its course and dropped eight bombs on the railway station at Bollwiller on the power station and into the Bois Nonnen- bruch. The pilot and observer subsequently regained their own aerodrome safe and sound. " In Belgium, whilst the British aviators were bom- FEBRUARY 26, 1915. barding Ostend, a squadron of seven French machines dropped thirty bombs on the aeroplane sheds that the Germans had built at Ghistelles. " By their bold raids, by their methodical work, by their fire control work in connection with the French artillery the French aviators have acquired an incontest able mastery and superiority. In the subsequent developments of operations the fifth arm will certainly be called upon to play an important part." THE CUXH A SUPPLEMENT to the London Gazette issued on the 18th contained the following Admiralty Memorandum on the combined operations by H.M ships and naval seaplanes on December 25th, 1914:— "On December 25th, 1914, an air reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight, including Cuxhaven, Heligoland, and Wilhelmshaven, was made by naval seaplanes, and the opportunity was taken at the same time of attacking with bombs points of military importance. The reconnaissance involved combined operations by light cruisers, destroyers, and seaplane-carriers, under Commodore Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, C.B., and submarines acting under the orders of Commodore Roger Keyes, C.B., M.V.O. " The vessels detailed for the operations arrived at their rendezvous before daylight, and as soon as the light was sufficient the seaplanes were hoisted out and despatched. The following Air Service officers and observers took part in the reconnaissance :— Pilots. Flight-Commander (now Squadron-Commander) Douglas Austin Oliver. Flight-Commander Francis Esme Theodore Hewlett. Flight-Commander Robert Peel Ross. Flight-Commander Cecil Francis Kilner. Flight-Lieutenant (now Flight-Commander) Arnold John Miley. Flight-Lieutenant Charles Humphrey Kingsman Edmonds. Flight Sub-Lieutenant (now Flight-Lieutenant) Vivian Gaskell Blackburn. Observers. Lieutenant Erskine Childers, R. N.V, R. C.P.O. Mechanic James W. Bell. C.P.O. Mechanic Gilbert H. W. Budds. ''The seaplane carriers were commanded by:— Squadron-Commander Cecil J. L'Estrange Malone. Flight-Commander Edmund D. M. Robertson. Flight-Commander Frederick W. Bowhill. " At the beginning of the flight the weather was clear, but on nearing the land the seaplanes met with thick weather, and were compelled to fly low, thus becoming exposed to a heavy fire at short range from ships and shore batteries. Several machines were hit, but all AVEN RAID. remained in the air for over three hours, and succeeded in obtaining valuable information regarding the disposi tion of the enemy's ships and defences. Bombs were also dropped on military points. In the meanwhile German submarines, seaplanes, and Zeppelins delivered a combined attack upon the light cruisers, destroyers, and seaplane- carriers, but were driven off. "Flight-Commanders Kilner and Ross and Flight- Lieutenant Edmonds regained their ships. Flight-Com mander Oliver, Flight-Lieutenant Miley, and Flight Sub-Lieutenant Blackburn became short of fuel, and were compelled to descend near Submarine E.n, which with other submarine vessels was watching inshore to assist any seaplane that might be in difficulties. Lieutenant-Commander Martin E. Nasmith, commanding E.n., although attacked by an airship, succeeded, by his coolness and resource, in rescuing the three pilots. Flight-Commander Hewlett, after a flight of three and a half hours, was compelled to descend on account of engine trouble, but was rescued by a Dutch trawler, landed in Holland, and returned safely to England. " An expression of their Lordships' appreciation has been conveyed to Commodore Keyes (Commodore S.), Commodore Tyrwhitt (Commodore T.), and to Captain Sueter (Director of the Air Department) for their share in the combined operations which resulted in this success ful reconnaissance. " The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order:— To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. Captain Cecil Francis Kilner, R.M.L.I. (Flight-Commander). Lieutenant Charles Humphrey Kingsman Edmonds, R.N. (flight-Lieutenant). " The following awards have also been made :— To receive the Distinguished Service Medal. Chief Petty Officer Mechanic James William Bell, No. M. 489. Chief Petty Officer Mechanic Gilbert Howard William Budds, No. 271764." WAR H IN a supplement to the London Gazette issued on the 18th inst. it was announced that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermen tioned rewards, dated February 18th, for services rendered in connection with operations in the field:— Royal Flying Corps. To be Brevet Lieutenant- Colonels. Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) J. F. A. Higgins, D.S.O. (Royal Artillery). Captain and Brevet Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) F. H. Sykes (15th Hussars). To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. Caplain and Brevet Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) C. J. Burke (Royal Irish Regiment). Captain and Brevet Major J. M. Salmond (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Captain (temporary Major) H. Musgrave (Royal Engineers). Lieutenant (temporary Captain) W. H. C. Mansfield (Shropshire Light Infantry). ONOURS. Lieutenant H. D. Harvey-Kelly (Royal Irish Regiment). Lieutenant G. W. Mapplebeck (Liverpool Regiment). Awarded the Military Cross. Captain (temporary Major) G. S. Shephard (Royal Fusiliers). It was also stated that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the appointment of the undermentioned officer to be Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force :— Captain Felton Vesey Holt, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and Royal Flying Corps. For gallantry on January 22nd, 1915, in engaging single-handed a group of twelve German aeroplanes which were attacking the town of Dunkirk. He was subsequently joined by two of our own biplanes, which resulted in one of the German machines being brought down and its pilot and observer being captured.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
