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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0988.PDF
(/DefiU DECEMBER 3, 1915. THE S.A. AVIATION CORPS AND THEIR DOINGS IN S.W. AFRICA. By J. HODGSON HARTLEY, J.P., Honorary Secretary, Aero. Society of S.A. THE following interesting account of the work of the South African Aviation Corps was written by Mr. J. Hodgson Hartley, J.P., the Honorary Secretary of the Aeronautical Society of South Africa, fust after the date when the Corps left South Africa for Europe. It gives an excellent n'sume of the part played by the air unit in the campaign in German South- West Africa. In this connection it may be mentioned that Mr. Hartley was attached to the Namaqualand Commando for special service as an ambulance officer, and has been recommended for the Victoria Cross for a brilliant piece of working in rescuing some wounded men at Schuit Drift ; for %\ hours he worked under fire, and he was without sleip for 40 hours. THE S.A. Aviation Corps has left Cape Town for Europe. The CO., Major Wallace, and staff left some weeks previously, and the eight aeroplanes that did such good work in German South-West were also sent direct. On behalf of the Aeronautical Society of South Africa, His Worship the Mayor of Cape Town, H. Hands, Esq., J.P., vice-president of the Society, and Sir Frederick Smith, also a vice-president, together with the hon. sec, visited the corps prior to their departure. In addressing the men at the ship's side, the Mayor said that he bid them God-speed in a dual capacity, that of the Mayor of the City of Cape Town, and that of a vice-president of the Aeronautical Society. His Worship referred to the services rendered to the Government by the Society in the early formation of what was then a school of aviation, but which now in the course of two years had developed into a corps the members of which were as fine a body of men in physique as ever left the shores of S. A. He said they were going to a grimmer battle than that in G.S.W., but he urged them to soar higher in their ideals for humanity than the devilish ideals of their enemies. Sir Frederick also wished them God-speed, and trusted to welcome them back to the shores of S.A. in the near future. The Secretary then asked the Mayor to present to Capt. Batten, as representing the corps, a mascot in the shape of a gold aeroplane. Capt. Batten suitably replied. Three cheers were given by the corps to the party, after which they embarked for regions beyond. When it was announced some nearly two years ago that our enterprising Government was turning its attention to the formation of a South African Aviation Corps, it was felt by enthusiasts in aviation matters that a step in the march of progress had been made by the Defence Department of this country. Recent events have fully justified the step taken, and though for many reasons it was found impracticable to establish and successfully carry on the nutrition of the new baby in this country, the fact that the Govern ment did not suspend operations, but made arrangements for a number of volunteers to get their experience and knowledge in the Motherland, clearly proves that they were fully alive to the necessity of doing all in their power to create, equip, and maintain what late events in Europe have proved to be a most valuable and necessary unit in modern warfare. The Government are to be congratulated on the success attending the establishment of this corps, and notwithstanding the lack of knowledge regarding air pockets and air currents, the operations carried on in German South-West have resulted in valuable know ledge of these conditions being obtained, and valuable knowledge of the enemy's whereabouts during practical warfare—knowledge that undoubtedly, in the case of the latter, assisted in the termination of hostilities. Many and varied rumours were afloat as to the whereabouts of this corps, and as far back as November, 1914, rumours were in circulation in this country to the effect that " fifteen aeroplanes with a large body of naval gunners from Gibraltar" had landed at Walfish Bay. As a matter of fact, no aeroplanes were landed in German South-West Africa until May 1st, 1915. The total number landed at Walfish Bay was eight, consisting of two B.E.2C, fitted with 70 h.p. Renault engines, and six Henri Farman "war 'buses," equipped with 140 h.p. Canton-Unne engines. These types all worked satisfactorily, but there is no doubt that the Farman 140 h.p. is the most suitable, especially in the higher altitudes. The climb is very good on the latter machine, as is evidenced by the No. 6 II.F. rising to a height of 12,500 ft. on June 6th. The personnel of the South African Aviation Corps was composed of officers and men under the command of Major Wallace, the officers being : Capt. Turner, Capt. Batten (Adjutant), Capt. Van der Spuy, Capt. Creed, Capt. Powell, M.D. (Medical Officer), Lieuts. Emmett, Earle, Carey-Thomas, Hewett, John, Weston, Clisdel, Driver, Sub-Lieuts. Cripps, Henshilwood, and Wood, the latter three being temporarily detached from the Royal Naval Air Service. The administration of the S.A. Aviation Corps, like the Aerial Service of Great Britain, is considered a branch worthy of a separate entity, and when one considers the technical and scientific details involved, it tends to the better working of the corps that its officers and men should be left with a free hand to define its scope and operations. The first batch of the South African members landed in Walfish Bay on March 20th, and the Overseas Contingent landed on April 8th. Immediately on arrival all was bustle and excitement, the neces sary hangars were erected, and the following sections formed :— Stores Section, under Lieut. Emmett and Q. M.-Sergt. McAllen ; Erection Department, under Capt. Creed, with Warrant Officer Sergeant-Major Jobling as chief mechanician. Flight Section was under Capt. Turner, Lieut. Van der Spuy, Lieut. Cripps, and Flight- Sergeant Buck. Engine Section, under Lieut. Hewett and Sergeant Williams. Transport Department was controlled by Lieut. John and Staff-Sergeant Duncan. The Plane and Fabric Departments were controlled generally by those at liberty to help. The bulk of the rank and file gave a hand here, there, and everywhere as required. Regimental-Sergeant Higginbothom, of Cape Town fame, was responsible for the good order of the camp, and right worthily did he fulfil this honoured position. Great praise is due to the commanding officer, Major Wallace, and to his popular adjutant, Lieut. Batten, for the tact and wisdom with which they inaugurated and carried out the duties involved in this the first campaign allotted to the South African Aviation Corps. Then there was Willis, or, to give bim his worthy title, " Sergeant Willis of the Staff," always full of humour, who always conveyed his superior's orders with an ever ready smile. On May 1st two Henri Farman biplanes arrived at Walfish Bay, the first of the consignment. Unfortunately, they were found to be damaged, but as before stated the corps is a complete unit in itself, and soon mechanics of all kinds were at work, replacing certain parts and repairing where necessary, and within a few days the machines were ready for the test. The first aeroplane, B.E.2C, left the hangar on Tuesday, May 4th. Lieut. Van der Spuy had the historical honour of being the first to command the first Government aeroplane ever flown in South Africa. On the following day the camp was honoured by a visit from General Smuts, who witnessed a number of trial flights along the coast belt. The first real flight, however, took place on Thurs day, May 6th, when Lieut. Carey-Thomas, accompanied by Lieut. Clisdal, left Walfish, for Garub, via Swakopmund. The erection of beacons as far as the latter place was in charge of Lieut. Weston and Sergeant Williams. On May 8th the two B.E.2C aeroplanes also left for Garub, one in charge of Captain Turner and the other under the command of Lieut. Cripps. On May nth an accident befel one of the B.E.2C at Garub, but, fortunately, no casualties resulted. About this period hot dust- storms prevailed, but nevertheless, in spite of the adverse condi tions, advantage was taken to consider the general conditions as affecting aviation. On May 13th the first Henri Farman biplane was flown by Lieut. Van der Spuy, and after a few minor adjustments were made, it was flown four days later, and proved a great success. On Friday, May 21st, an armistice was arranged, and all opera tions of a military character were suspended. On the following day, however, the armistice was ended, and military operations recom menced. Two days later Lieut. Van der Spuy left the base at 7.45 a.m., and arrived at Garub at 9 a.m. on one of the H.F. biplanes. He left for Karibib the following day. The machine proved to be most satisfactory. The eight machines arrived at Walfish on different dates, and all were erected and flown successfully. Most of the time was taken up by experimental flights in the different areas and high plateaux, and on June 15th all the machines and men left for Karibib, Omaruru, and the field of military operations. On June 24th flight reconnaissance left Omaruru for Kalkfield, and located the enemy about 35 miles away, returned safely to camp and reported. On June 26th General Botha inspected the machines and congratulated the corps on the good work done. Four days later Lieut. Henshilwood made a two days' reconnaissance and located the enemy, and on July 26th Lieut. Cripps left on flight reconnaissance and returned to Otjwarongo with valued information. Three days later peace was declared. The valued flight recon naissance undoubtedly was fully appreciated by the general in command of the troops, but I think there is a greater value attached 952
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