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Aviation History
1917
1917 - 0769.PDF
JULY 26, 1917. London Gazelle Supplement, July 23rd. The following appointments arc made :— Staff Officer, 3rd Class (graded for purposes of pay as a Staff Capt.)—Capt. W. G. M. Crothers, Sufi. R., S.R., vice Capt. A. W. A. Harker, R.G.A.; June 4th. Flying Officers. 2nd Lieut. E. H. Chater, Norf. R., T.F., and to be seed. ; May 27th. 2nd Lieut. (Temp. Lieut.) C. R. Davidson, High. L.I., from a Flying -Officer Observer); June jth, with seniority from March 6th. Temp. 2nd Lieut, .-(on prob.) R. Croucher, Gen. List, and to be confirmed in his rank; June 14th. Lieut. J. R. Wilson, R.E., T.F., from a Flying Officer ^Observer) ; June 19th, with seniority from September 6th, 1916. Temp. 2nd Lieuts. (on prob.), Gen. List and to be confirmed in their rank: W. M. Dulin ; June 25th. J. R. M. Simpson, P. W. L. Jarvis; July 1st. A. H. Gearing, W. G. Woods, T. R. Kirk- ness, S. C. B. West, A. F. Kemp ; July 2nd. E. C. Hucklebridge, S. W. Watson, R. M. Whitehead, L. H. Patterson; July 3rd. 2nd Lieut, (on prob.) A. E. Hempel, S.R.; July 5 th. Temp. 2nd Lieuts. (on prob.) Gen. List, and to be confirmed in their rank, W. R. McGee, H. H. Tonks ; July 6th. Flying Officers (Observers).—Lieut. H. D. Scowcroft, R.F.A., T.F., and to be seed.; February 25th, with seniority from November 12th, 1916 ; Lieut. R. H. Brewis, Lan. Fus., T.F., seniority December 15th, 1916, and to be seed. Temp. 2nd Lieut. J. M. Watson, R. Highrs., seniority January 16th, and to be transfd. to Gen. List. 2nd Lieut. B. E. Leeson, Ches. R., T.F., seniority February 4th, and to be seed; Maseh 30th. Temp. 2nd Lieut. E. R. Watson, attd. Essex R., and to be transfd. to Gen. List; May 15th, seniority February 16th. Lieut. H. B. Burgess, C. Gds., S.R., from a Flying Officer; June 7th, seniority May nth; Lieut. F. W. Harley, R. Highrs., T.F., and to be seed; June 2nd, seniority January 29th. Temp. Lieut. H. C. Barlow, Lan. Fus., and to be iransfd. to Gen. List; June 17th, seniority February 22nd. Temp. Lieut. V. Smith, North'd Fus., and to be transfd. to Gen, List; May 27th, seniority March 5th. 2nd Lieut. R. C. Rodger, M.C., R.F.A., S.R.; May 25th, seniority March 12th. Temp. 2nd Lieut. F. S. Ferriman, Oxf. and Bucks L.I., and to be transfd. to Gen. list; June 6th, seniority March 16th. Lieut. J. V. Anglin, 'Canadian Gen. list; May 27th, seniority April 9th. Lieut. H. Cotton, Canadian Inf.; May 27th, seniority April 22nd. Temp. Lieut. H. W. Smith, Notts and Derby R.; July 2nd, seniority April 24th. Temp. 2nd Lieut, (on prob.) P. F. H. Webb, Gen. List; July 2nd, seniority May 16th, and to be confirmed in his rank. Temp. 2nd Lieut. L. Smith, attd. Notts and Derby R., and to be transfd. to •Gen. List ; July 5th, seniority March 4th. Temp. 2nd Lieut. J. McDonald, Glouc. R., and to be transfd. to Gea. List; July 4th, seniority March 7th. Temp. Lieut. H. Mitton, R.A., seniority March 14th, and to be transfd. to Gen. List. 2nd Lieut. T. R. G. Marshall, A.S.C., from Temp. Lieut, and Adjt., seniority April and, and to be seed. Temp. 2nd Lieut. E. M. Smith, Notts and Derby R., seniority from April 3rd, and to be transfd. to Gen. list. Lieut. A. L. Galbraith, Canadian Inf.; July 1st, seniority April 6th (July 5th). Temp. Lieut. M. K. Jones, R.A., seniority April nth, and to be transfd. to Gen. List; 2nd Lieut. W. B. Judd, Durh. L.I., seniority from April 13th, and to be seed. 2nd Lieut. W. D. Kennard, Loud. R., T.F., seniority from April 23rd, and to be seed. ; July 4th. Lieut. W. Crowther, Canadian Inf.;" July '5th, seniority from April 28th. Temp. 2nd Lieut, (on prob.) C. H. Barton, Gen. List, and to be confirmed in his rank; July 4th, seniority May 16th. 2nd Lieut. H. J. B. Bain, Arg. and Suth'd Highrs., T.F., seniority August 4th, 1916, and to be seed. 2nd Lieut. E. L. Walters, Devon. R., S.R., seniority February 16th, and to be seed. 2nd Lieut. H. G. L. Fletcher, Notts and Derby R., T.F., seniority from February 19th, and to be seed. Temp. 2nd Lieut. W. S. V. Oliver, Lan. Fus., seniority March 3rd, and to be transfd. to Gen. List. 2nd Lieut. H. B. Hill, R.W. Kent. R., S.R., seniority March 12th, and to be seed. 2nd Lieut. J. C. Currie, R.F.A., S.R.,'"seniority March 13th. Lieut. H. E. M. Porter, Can. Inf., seniority April 21st. ~- Temp. 2nd Lieut. W. M. Pierce, Midd'x R.. seniority March 7th, and to be transfd. to Gen. List. Temp. 2nd Lieut. W. D. McKeown, Lens. R., seniority March 12th, and to be transfd. to Gen. List, znd Lieut. G. D. A. Heys, R.A., seniority March 15th, and to be seed. 2nd Lieut. J. F. Stallard, D. of Corn. L.I., seniority March 24th, and to be seed. Lieut. A. Willans, Ca. Inf., seniority April 28th; July 5th. July 4th, seniority May 16th : 2nd Lieut, (an prob.) A. E. Woodbridge, S.R. Temp. 2nd Lieut, (on prob.) A. E. Wear, Gen. list, and to be confirmed in his rank. Lieut. S. F. Trotter, Can. Gen. List; July 4th, seniority May 31st. Temp. Lieut. J. A. Stedman, M.G. Corps, and to be transfd. to Gen. List; July 5th, seniority June 3rd. July 6th : Temp. 2nd Lieut. C. E. Day, Manch. R., seniority March 16th, and to be transfd. to Gen. List. Lieut. W. G. Bell, Can. In., seniority April 8th. 2nd Iieut. E. F. Boyd, R.F.A., T.F., and to be seed. 2nd Lieut. M. O. Haskell, R.F.A., S.R., seniority April 12th. 2nd Lieut. J. B. Smith, R. Highrs., T.F., seniority April 20th, and to be seed. Balloon Officers.—Temp. 2nd Lieuts. (on prob.), Gen. list, and to be con- firmed in their rank : A. L. J. Bulley ; June 29th. B. J. T. Bosanquet; July 1 st. Equipment Officers, 3rd Class.—June 6th : 2nd Lieut. J. Black, Middx. R., T.F., and to be seed. ; 2nd Lieut. G. M. Wingate, Essex R, T.F., and to be seed. 2nd lieut. E. M. V. Fielding, S.R. Temp. 2nd Lieut. S. A. Salmon, Gen. list. Temp. 2nd Lieut. L. R. Peirce, Gen. List. Temp. 2nd Lieut. W. D. Buchanan, Gen. List. Iieut. R. O. C. Bush, R. Dub. Fus., from a Flying Officer; June 14th. Temp. 2nd Lieut. W. A. Winter, Gen. List, from a Flying Offr. (Observer) ; July 1st. Memoranda.—Capt. T. W. C. Carthew, D.S.O., from Bedf. R., S.R., to be Temp. Capt., Gen. list; July 24th, with seniority from April 9th, 1910, and to retain the temp, rank of lieut.-Col. while empld. as a Wing Comdr., R.F.C. ; July 24th. To be Temp. Captain.—-Temp. 2nd Lieut. C. T. Cleaver, M.C., Gen. List, for duty with R.F.C. ; July 24th. Temp. 2nd Lieut. D. H. Houston, Gen. List, to take rank and precedence in the R.F.C. and in the Army as if his appointment as Temp. 2nd Lieut, bore date April 15th. Gen. List (R.F.C.).—Temp. 2nd Lieut. J. C. Ludski resigns his commission; July 24th. J. C. Sharp, from Temp. Capt. (attd.), Sco. Rif., to be Temp. Lieut, on appt. as probr. to Ind. Army; June 23rd. AVIATION IN PARLIAMENT. [Height of London Raiders. MR. LYNCH, on July 17th, asked the Under-Secretary of State for War •whether, on the occasion of the last raid by German aeroplanes over London, ,an estimate was made by the help of range-finders of the height of any of the -aeroplanes ; and, if so, what were the maximum and minimum heights ? Mr. Macpherson: Yes; but by height-finders, not range-finders. The .heights recorded were from 12,500 to 15,000 ft. Mr. Billing : Is it not a fact that the majority of the English pilots who •viewed this from the ground assert that the height was less than 6,000 ft. ? Mr. Macpherson : No, it is not. Mr. Lynch: Has the hon. gentleman given the tninimnm height in those 'figures ? - Mr. Macpherson: 12,500 ft. Mr. Billing: Where does the hon. gentleman get those figures from ? Is it from the people who were criminally negligent in the defence of London .or from unbiassed observers ? Mr. Lynch asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state irom the information of officers present the height from which Lieut. W. G. Salmon, R.F.C., fell when attacking the German air squadron over Dartford ? Mr. Macpherson : There is no information from eye-witnesses, but it is ..probable that the fight took place at over 12,000 ft. Mr. Lynch: Is the hon. gentleman aware that the officers of this corps who were present assert that he fell from 2,000 ft., and, if so, on what ground did ;they give that information to the Coroner ? -Mr. Macpherson : As I have said, the information which we have at the Foreign Office is that it is probable that a fight took place at over 12,000 ft. •Casualties from Anti-Alrcraft Guns. MAJOR NEWMAN asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he ihas collected the information necessary to enable him to give the number of casualties, fatal and otherwise, caused by our own shell-fire on the occasion of the recent air raid ; and whether, in the vent of any disclosure not being in the public interest, he would furnish the same to hon. members for their private . information ? Mr. Brace : My hon. friend has asked me to reply to this question. I shall . have no objection to showing the figures to hon. members if they desire to see them. I may say that the casualties caused by our own gunfire are not so -numerous as has been suggested in some quarters, but they were sufficiently serious to emphasise the great importance of taking cover when the anti-aircraft guns are in action. Mr. Hogge: Does that mean that the Government do not intend to publish the full number of casualties, and that they can only be ascertained if we wishto see them privately ? Mr. Brace: These-casualties will not be published, but if the hon. member . cares to see them I wiH show them to him. Mr. Faber: If the casualties have taken place, what is the objection to our knowing how many'of our own people have been killed by our own guns ? Mr. Hogge ; Can the hon. gentleman say if the list of casualties given in the statement issued by the Press Bureau is not therefore correct, and that we cannot ascertain whether it is correct unless we see privately the figures which the hon. gentleman has got ? Mr. Brace : The bon. member must take my answer as I have given it. If lie cares to see the numbers of these particular cases I will show them to him • or to any other hon. member. Mr. MacCallum Scott: Is this not one of those occasions in which the com- plete facts will have the best effect on public opinion ? Mr. Brace : I will consult my right hon. friend the Home Secretary again Perhaps the hon. member will put down a question. Mr. Billing : Is it not a fact that the inquests themselves are greater in number Tthan the officially reported casualties ? Mr. Brace: No. The London Air Raid. MR. BILLING asked whether any military enquiry has been held into the reasons which permitted the enemy air squadrons raiding this country to return unchallenged and unchecked on Saturday, July 7th ? Mr. Macpherson : The enemy aircraft did not return after the raid on July 7th " unchallenged and unchecked," and details of the number of hostile machines which were brought down have been already announced. No military court of enquiry has been held into the circumstances of the raid, but as is always the case the preparations to meet it and the action taken have been carefully investigated with a view to improving the defence arrangements. Mr. Billing : In view of the fact that this is not the report of a Commission, but that it is an ocular demonstration of inefficiency for every citizen of London to witness, can the hon. gentleman see his way clear to institute some court of enquiry to ascertain who is responsible for this-utter lack of defence ? Mr. Hogge : Can the hon. gentleman say whether the machines brought down in the North Sea by the Royal Naval airmen were part of the fleet of German machines that reached London ? Mr. Macpherson : I must have notice of that question. Mr. Hogge: My hon. friend refers to the machines that were brought down ; is it true that only one was brought down ? Mr. Macpherson : I am answering a question on that point later. Improvements in Defences. MR. BILLING asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the country the assurances that our air defences, botk as regards aircraft guns, efficiency of gunners and air squadrons have been reorganised and improved since the occasion of the last enemy air raid over England ? The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Bonar Law) : The answer is in the affirmative. Mr.-Billing : In view of the fact that this answer is a condemnation of past administration, will the right hon. gentleman make some enquiry into the matter ? Mr. Speaker : That is argumentative. - .. R.F.C. Commissions. ' " . - - ~ MR. SILLING asked the Under-Secretary for War how many non-com- missioned officers and men of the R.F.C. have been trained as pilots since the outbreak of war; and, if it is not in the interests of the country to give the exact figures, will he say what proportion of the pilots of the R.F.C. so trained are men of non-commissioned rank ? Mr. Macpherson: The total number of non-commissioned officers and men from the ranks is 271. The total R.F.C. cadets who have become pilots is 536. About 20 per cent, of the non-commissioned officers and men have received commissions. All the cadets have received commissions. Mr. Billing : Are we to understand that these 271 are non-commissioned officers who have received commissions or are they non-commissioned officers flying as non-commissioned officers ; and will the hon. gentleman consider the advisability of promoting non-commissioned officers, even if they are not fit to qualify socially, as pilots, so that their services may be utilised for the defence of the country ? Mr. Macpherson : There is no question of social distinctions, and I am sure that the first branch of the Service will resent such a suggestion, as well as the Air Service itself. Every man is given a commission upon his merits. Fatal Accidents to Pilots. MR. BILLING asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of a pilot being killed in practice flying in France, he is reported in the casualty list as killed on active service ; whether a pilot killed engaging the enemy aircraft, either Zeppelins or aeroplanes, by day or by night, over London, if killed or injured, is reported in the usual casualty list as killed or wounded on active service; and, if not, will he say why this distinction is made ? Mr. Macpherson: If an R.F.C. pilot is killed in France otherwise than in action his name appcarsiu the published casualty list as " accidentally killed." 769
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