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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 0026.PDF
JANUARY 3, 1918. statements, in retaliation for a recent successful British aeroplane attack on an enemy leave train, which caused many casualties to officers and men. So successful were British and Italian anti-aircraft defences and our own fighting machines, that at least five of the enemy machines were destroyed, and later reports may prove even more. Damage to aerodrome very slight and our losses nil." War Office, December 2Sth. "The Royal Flying Corps effectively attacked in the vicinity of Kulundia (6 miles north of Jerusalem) enemy troops and transport with bombs and machine-gun fire." General Headquarters, December 28t)i. "On the 27th inst. snowstorms again made it impossible to do much flying. of Lille. Several trains were also bombed by us, and a direct hit was obtained on one of them. " None of our machines are missing." War Office, December 2gth. " The following further information about the bombing raid on Mannheim carried out on December 24th has now been received :—Two of our formations, totalling 10 machines, crossed the line at a height of 9,000 ft. between 10 and 10.15 a.m. The two formations arrived over the objective almost simul- taneously, and, in spite of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, dropped their bombs from a height of over 13,000 ft. Sixteen 112 lb. bombs and two 230 Ib. bombs were dropped in all, lour bursts being observed in the main station, several in the Lanz works, two in Ludwigshafen, and several in the munitions factory between Mundenheim and Rheingonnheim, bursts being partially confirmed by photographs taken at the time. Two formations of enemy aeroplanes were encountered totalling 11 machines, of which, however, only five reached the height of the bombing machines, and these did not attempt' to attack at close range. The anti-aircraft defences around Mannheim appeared strong, and brought down one of our machines, whicli was last seen descending under control. In addition, one of our observers was wounded, but reached home safely. Haze and mist added to the difficulties of the operation, some towns in the Rhine Valley being completely covered." " Palestine.—Our aeroplanes bombed troops and transport on the Nablus road all day on the 28th with great effect." General Headquarters, December 2gth. " On the 28th inst. the weather was fine with a strong east wind, which late in the afternoon increased ahnost to a gale. A great many successful photo- graphs were taken by our aeroplanes, and over a hundred bombs were dropped on three of the enemy's aerodromes north of Lille. The enemy's artillery machines were very active, and were repeatedly attacked by our scouts and engaged by our anti-aircraft guns. Seven hostile machines, four of which fell in our lines, were brought down by our aeroplanes, and two others were driven down out of control. Four other hostile machines were shot down by our anti- aircraft guns, three of them falling in our lines. Three of our aeroplanes are missing." War Office, December 30/fr. " Palestine.—Enemy troops and transport in the neighbourhood of Jufna. Beitin (Bethel), and El Balua (all on or near the roads leading northwards from Bireh) were successfully bombed and machine-gunned by the Royal Flying Corps." General Headquarters, December 30W1. " Although the weather was fine on the 29th inst., visibility was bad, and greatly interfered with the co-operation of our aeroplanes and artillery. Much successful photographic work was accomplished, however, and many bombs were dropped on Ingelmunster aerodrome and Staden and other hostile billets. Two hostile machines were brought down in our lines and a third in the enemy's lines. Two other hostile machines were driven down out of control. None of our aeroplanes are missing," French. Paris, December lgth. " On the night of December 18th German aeroplanes dropped about 50 bombs in the region of Dunkirk. No casualties have been reported up to the present.'t Paris, December 20th. "During the day of the 19th some German aeroplanes dropped bombs in the region of Dunkirk and Calais. Four persons were killed and ro wounded." Paris, December 23rd. "During the period from December nth to December 20th inclusive, 14 German aeroplanes were brought down by our pilots and three others were compelled to alight within our lines. In addition, on December 5th, loth and nth three enemy aeroplanes were brought down by our anti-aircraft gunfire. In the course of the evening of the 22nd, enemy aeroplanes dropped some 40 bombs on Dunkirk and its suburbs. One person belonging to the civilian popu- lation was killed and three others were wounded, including a woman and a child." Paris, December 24th. " On December 21st, 22nd and 23rd our chaser aeroplanes showed great activity. Our pilots were engaged in about 100 fights, most of them taking place over the German lines. Eighteen German aeroplanes were brought down, of which ten either fell in flames or were destroyed on crashing to the ground. During the same period our bombing squadrons dropped 18,000 kilogrammes (about 18 tons) of bombs on railway stations, munition factories, cantonments, and military buildings of the enemy behind his lines." Paris, December 2$th. " A German aeroplane was brought down in aerial fighting during the 24th. Another machine, during the evening of the 23rd, was brought down in our lines by the fire of our special guns. On the evening of the 22nd Dunkirk and its environs were bombarded by enemy aeroplanes. Several victims are reported." Paris, December 27th. " A German aeroplane was brought down in an air fight during the day on December 24th. " Our bombing aeroplanes dropped 5,000 kilogrammes of explosives on enemy railway stations and establishments in the region of Rethel and Vouziers." Paris, December 2gth. " During the night of December 28th-2gth our aeroplanes bombarded the rail- way stations at Mezieres-les-Metz and Thionville, as well as the enemy estab- lishments in the region of Vouziers and Rethel." " Salonica.—French and Greek squadrons bombarded and machine-gunned the enemy encampments in the valley of the Vardar." Paris, December 30//1. " Three German aeroplanes were brought down during the day on December 29th, one of them by the fire of our special guns." Italian. Rome, December 20th. " A hostile aeroplane was brought down by one of our airmen to the north of Mt. Grappa ; another machine, driven down by anti-aircraft fire, fell in the neighbourhood of Lovadina." Rome, December 21 si. " During the day of yesterday enemy troops were bombarded with visibly effective results by our Capronis on the Old Piave, and during last night by our dirigibles to the east of Valdobbiadcne." Rome, December 27th. " A big aerial battle, in which British and Italian chasing squadrons and anti- aircraft artillery participated, was fought yesterday over Treviso. In the morn- ing 25 enemy machines, under cover of the haze, arrived over our aviation camp to the west of the city and commenced to bombard it. The hostile aircraft, received by violent anti-aircraft fire and attacked impetuously by the aero- planes risen from the camp, were forced to retire before having carried out the operation ; eight enemy machines were brought down. Later, about 12.30 p.m., another hostile squadron of eight machines made the attempt again, but was faced over Mnntebelluna (behind the British lines on Montello) and forced to retire, losing three machines. Of the 11 enemy aeroplanes brought down, eight fell within our lines and three in the enemy's lines. AH our machines returned to their base. The damage produced by the bombardment is insignificant." Rome, December 28th. " A powerful squadron of Caproni machines was sent against large hostile forces reported in the Ronchi Valley (at the head of Val Frenzela), and our aircraft bombarded them with very satisfactory results." Rome, December 2gth. " Yesterda;- evening at 9 p.m. enemy airmen, true to their innate barbarian impulses, which have been revived by the defeat they suffered on December 26th at Treviso, bombarded the inhabited parts of Treviso, Montebelluna, Castel- iranco, and Padua, all open cities. " In the centre of Padna, where the population is densest and the finest monu- ments are more numerous, eight bombs were dropped, killing 13 persons and wounding 60. Among the casualties, for the most part women and children, there are only six soldiers. No monument was damaged. There was no damage done or casualties caused in the (? other) cities." Rome, December 3otl:. " Yesterday evening enemy aircraft repeated the raid on Padua, dropping over 20 explosive and incendiary bombs in the city. Three killed, including one child, and three wounded, including one woman, are to be deplored. Much damage, in parts great, was done to the monuments and private dwellings ; buildings and two hospitals were damaged ; a fire broke out in St. Valentino Church, which was hit, and the tower of the Carmine Church has been partly burnt. " At Pieve di Soligo (on the Soligo, three miles north of its confluence with the Piave) British airmen brought down one of the enemy's captive balloons." Rome, December 31st. " The enemy becomes more bitter in his bombardment of open cities. Last night his airmen returned for the third time over Padua, dropping between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. several score of bombs. Fortunately, owing to the arrange- ments made by the civil and military authorities, the casualties were only five wounded, including one woman. The rich artistic patrimony of the city instead suffered severely. The facade of the Cathedral was blown down, and the basilica of the " Santo " (the sepulchral church of St. Anthony of Padua) and the Municipal Museum were not a little damaged. " Our machines, Hying during the night, bombarded very effectively the enemy's aviation camps at Aviano and La Comina, which they found lighted up , awaiting the return. " In the night seaplane squadrons respectively bombarded with excellent results enemy aerodromes between Godfgo and S. Fior, and enemy encampments in the vicinity of Torre di Mosto (Livenza). " British and Italian batteries and airmen co-operated effectively in the action (on Mount Tomba)." German. Berlin, December igth. " Lieut. BongarU obtained his 27th victory in the air." Turkish. Constantinople, December 24W1. " Palestine.—Aerial activity is increasing along the whole front." Constantinople, December 22nd. " Bombs dropped by enemy airmen on Jericho had no effect. For the rest the stormy weather restricted aerial activity on the whole of the front." Fatal Accidents. A VERDICT of " Accidental Death " was returned on December 22nd at an inquest held at Ilford on Lieut. V. C. Manuel, R.F.C., who met his death at an Essex aerodrome. He was coming down after a flight, when his machine got into a spin and crashed to the ground. He died almost immediately. 2nd Lieut. C. H. Hoskyns-Abrahall, R.F.A. and R.F.C.,was accidentally killed while making a solo flight in Wiltshire on December 22nd. " Accidental Death " was the verdict at the inquest at a sea coast town on John Cook, R.F.C., who was killed by being struck by the propeller of an aeroplane. Lieut. A. E. Mott, R.F.C., fell with his machine in the sea on December 24th, and both aeroplane and aviator sank. Early on the morning of December 24th an aeroplane^ fell from a great height on some golf links in Yorkshire. The machine was smashed, and the pilot, 2nd Lieut. H. N. S. Ander- son, R.F.C., died at the local cottage hospital from his injuries. A verdict of " Accidental Death " was returne;d at the in- quest on Flight Sub-Lieut. V. Hatherton Littleboy, R.N.A.S., who was killed in a seaplane accident at a south coast port on December 22nd. His machine nose-dived from a height of about 200 ft. 2nd Lieut. C. C. A. Norris, R.F.C., within a couple of hours of getting his " wings," was solo flying in Norfolk when his machine was caught in a sudden, violent hailstorm. It turned over and crashed to earth, Norris being killed. Lieut. Leslie James Mitchell, R.F.C., while solo flying, was killed through his machine side-slipping. 22
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