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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0548.PDF
/JJGHTJ JUNK 29, 1916. SARA\£HAIr lr^REFb£(3TONS! TUT two girls in the dark, and one of them is sure to exclaim "What's that?" at nothing, and the other one will quickly find a name for something which isn't there, whereby, together, they will frighten one another. Each, if alone, would stand the test well. It is just the fact that there are two of them. The first feels on her mettle to be quick to notice anything amiss, and the second feels bound to give credence to what in the other is but imagination. It is precisely the same with regard to the many rumours for weal or woe which gain currency with re gard to almost everything connected with the war, and afterwards. Rumour is very persistent just now^jvith regard to the future of the Sub-Flight-Lieutenants of the R.N.A.S. As these rumours appear to emanate from those directly concerned—at any rate, I have heard them from several— perhaps the matter is just worth touching upon. It is true that, like the girls in the foregoing parable, we are very much in the dark in the matter, but when one comes to think about it, taking into consideration the great number of men who have joined, and are joining up, the thought of what will happen when hostilities come to a close is perhaps worth thinking about. I hope I shan't be giving away any " trade" secrets when I say that there appears to be an impression amongst " Subs "—an impression which I may say is growing in the way that all these things grow—that when the war is over, they will most of them either get turned down, or be invited to stay on at a reduced scale of remuneration. The same matter looked at from a point of view embracing the R.F.C.*"* assumes a different aspect. Although the number of men joining up as second lieutenants is probably greater in the military wing, they have joined up under rather different conditions. No doubt many joined with the idea of embracing the Service as a profession, intending to continue therein after the war, but doubtless the greater number joined for the period of the war only, a position thoroughly understood by themselves and the authorities. In the early days, when there was a call for pilots to man the Service " 'buses," the rush of civilian pilots from the established aerodromes was so great and so immedi ately responsive that, as our American cousins would have it, " you couldn't see them for dust." I have it in my mind, reminiscent of my talks with these pilots at the time, that they were one and all giving their services, and placing their skill at the disposal of their country, simply as good patriots and because they were needed. With them all, it was but a temporary measure fulfilling the need of the occasion, and they almost one and all expected to return to the scenes of their former triumphs once their services were no longer required. No doubt many of them have found service for their King so much to their liking, and many of them have so progressed up the ladder of promotion, that a great many who entered for the duration of the war only, will continue to serve with the colours afterwards. Sr TrfF "OKEaMER' With the R.N.A.S., it is somewhat different. I am inclined to think that comparatively very few joined up with the idea of service during the war only. I may see this thing differently to others, and it is quite possible I am wrong in my views, but the two service arrangements seem to me totally dissimilar. In the first place, the R.F.C. was getting well estab lished before the war, whereas the R.N.A.S. as a separate service had practically only just commenced when they were called upon to show their mettle in active service, and the number of officers available was none too great. This fact appeared, it seems to me, to offer greater chances of promotion than was the case in the R.F.C, where they were already well equipped with flying officers, though not, of course, in anything like the numbers required under the stress of war. And so, I feel convinced that by far the greater number of men joining the R.N.A.S., joined with the settled idea of embracing that service as their profession ; therefore the rumours now gaining currency, are having the effect one might easily calculate they would have on these young officers, appearing, as they do, to give promise of nipping their chosen career in the bud. I have tried, to the best of my ability; with those few who have spoken with me personally on the matter, to point out that their fears must of necessity be groundless, in view of what I believe must be the position of the R.N.A.S. from now forward. This war has taught us many things. It has also taught other nations, neutral and otherwise, many things, It has taught the world that aviation is absolutely neces sary to the conduct of warlike operations, whether they be on land or sea, and that any country ignoring the lessons now being taught, will find itself in a very unenviable position when next called upon to protect its boundaries. Far from seeing the R.N.A.S. reduced in numbers when the war is over, I verily believe that those already joined will form but the nucleus of the seaplane service that is to be. Second in importance only to our Navy, the Flying Services, under whatever form we may in the future know them, will require men in ever-increasing numbers, and assuredly it would be an insane policy to turn adrift men who had already gained great experience in the one and only school where such experience to be of any value could be gained—on actual active service. Some who joined for the duration of the war only will doubtless be wishful to retire. That is as it may be. But those desirous of continuing, in accordance with their ideas when joining up, will, I feel sure, not ^>nly be allowed to, but their services will be held in such high esteem on account of their past deeds, deeds performed only under the eyes of their superior officers, and hidden from public eyes, that their expressed wish to remain will be received with prompt official approval, although possibly with the usual official deliberation. All the same, in the meantime it might be just as well for some official source to ease their minds. 548
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