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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 1009.PDF
SEPTEMBER 5, 1918. ' . Medical Branch- _ S. E. Duff is granted a temp, commn. as Lieut.; Aug. 27th. Mtmoranda. Lieut. (Temp. Capt.) S. S. Blackley to be Temp. Maj. whilst holding a special appointment in the Ministry of Munitions ; Aug. 19th. Sec. Lieut. W. Hallett-Carpenter is granted the hon. rank of Capt.; April 1st. Lieut. T. F. Legard to be Temp. Capt. whilst specially employed ; Aug. 22nd. K. Burton to be Temp. Hon. Capt. whilst specially employed ; Aug. 30th. Sec. Lieut. A. E. Masters is granted the hon. rank of Lieut.; June 3rd. The following relinquish their commns. on ceasing to be employed :—Lieut. (Temp. Capt.) I. Mair ; Aug. 5th. Col. (Hon. Lieut.-Gen.) T- de M. Hutchinson, C.V.O., C.M.G. (Vice-Admiral, R.N.); Aug. 10th. Lieut. A. Campbell: Aug. 16th. " With certain exceptions, all officers of the Royal Air Force who held temp, rank in the Royal Navy or Army on Jan. 1st, 1918, are confirmed in corresponding rank in the Royal Air Force, for the purpose of seniority, with effect from April 1st, 1918, and will therefore be shown as promoted to such rank in the next edition of the Air Force List " R©y*l Flying Corps (Military Winft). London Gazette Supplement, August 21st. Flying Officer (Observer).—Lieut. W. L. H. Davies, Yeo., T.F.; March 18th. General List.—To be Temp. Sec. Lieuts.:—2nd Cl. Air-Mech. C. Sweetman, rom R.F.C.; Feb. 16th. 3rd Cl. Air-Mech. M. Pennycock, from R.F.C.; Feb. 17th. Sergt. C.F.Dakin, from R.F.C.; Feb. 18th. Corpl. G. A. Richard- son, from R.F.C.; March 10th. Sergt. A. Hill, from Devon R.; March 18th. L.-Corpl. D. A. Watts, from R. Suss. R., Pte. (L.-Corpl.) W. H. Hopper, from R. Suss. R.; March 19th. Corpl. M. Dearman, from R.H.A., T.F.; March 30th. London Gatette Supplement, August 23rd. Flying Officers—Temp. Lieut. E. G. Rumfitt, attd. Shrops. L.I. and to be transfd. to R.F.C. Gen. List; Nov. 3rd, 1917. Temp. Sec. Lieut, (on prob.) E. H. Weatherall, Gen. List, and to be confirmed in his rank; March 18th. The date of seniority of Temp. Lieut. J. Webster, M.C., Gen. List, is March 14th, rgi7, and not as in Gazette May 4th. Equipment Officer, 3rd Class.—Temp. Sec. Lieut. C. F. Dakin, Gen. List; Feb.i8th. London Gazette Supplement, Aug. 26th. General List.—Actg. Sgt. J. McP. Mitchell, from M.G. Corps, to be Temp. Sec. Lieut, (on prob.) ; Jan. 8th. London Gaiette Supplement, August 29th. Flying Officers.—Temp. Sec. Lieut, (on prob.) 0. E. Fleming, Gen. List, and to be confirmed in his lank ; Dec. 19th. 1917. Flying Officer Observer).—-Temp. Sec. Lieut. R. S. V. Moms, Gen.List; Sept. 29th, 1917. i Assistant Instructor in Gunnery (graded as an Equipment Officer, 2nd Class).— Lieut. A. R. Mutter, Wilts R. (T.F.), from an Asst. Instr. m Gunnery (graded as an Equipt. O£fr., 3rd Cl.) ; March 22nd. Supplementary to Regular Corps.—Sec. Lieut. C. B. Willcocks to be Lieut.; Feb. 24th* AIRCRAFT WORK AT THE FRONT. OFFICIAL, INFORMATION. British. Headquarters, R.A.F. Independent Force, August 2$ih. " On the 25th inst. our machines successfully attacked a hostile aerodrome and the railway stations at Bettemburg and Luxemburg. Excellent results were obtained on the railway stations." General Headquarters, August 25th. " On August 24th our airmen carried out another day of varied work including much low-flying and artillery observation. Enemy machines were not very active till the evening. Seven hostile aeroplanes were driven down by us, and five German balloons were shot down in flames. Ten of our own machines ar« missing. During the 24 hours wo dropped 43 tons of bombs on Valenciennes and Cambrai, railway connections being attacked amongst other targets. All our night-flying aeroplanes returned safely. We succeeded in destroying two enemy night bombing machines. Headquarters, R.A.F. Independent Force, August 26th. " On the night of the 25th-26th our machines successfully attacked the rail- way station at Frankfurt and the chemical factories at Mannheim. Very good results were obtained at Frankfurt. Two tons of bombs were dropped on the factories at Mannheim, causing fires and explosions. All these machines flew throughheavy thunderstorms to attain their objective. Othermachinesattacked a hostile aerodrome, and dropped four tons weight of bombs with good, results. All of our machines returned safely." General Headquarters, August 26th. " Throughout August 25th our low-flying machines continued to harass the enemy by bombs and machine-gun fire directed upon his infantry, guns, trans- port, and trains. Other machines kept contact with our own troops and ob- served for our artillery. Photography and reconnaissance were carried on as usual. Thirty-two tons of bombs were dropped by us during the day on railway junctions, such as Cambrai and Valenciennes, on enemy dumps, and on Bruges Docks. A hostile aerodrome was successfully bombed. Twenty-five German machines were brought down by us and one German balloon was destroyed. Thirteen hostile machines were driven down out of control. Five of our machines are missing. Heavy rain prevented night flying." Headquarters, R.A.F. Independent Force, August 27th. " Further details have now been received of the attack on Mannheim on the night of the 25th-26th instant. The attack was delivered from a height of 200 ft., the pilots narrowly avoiding some chimneys. Searchlights were flashed almost horizontally, lighting up the whole town, and an intense barrage just over and nearly parallel to the roofs of the houses was put up in a van endeavour to shoot down our machines. The explosions caused by the bombs were very heavy, and in view of the height at which they were dropped very considerable damage is certain. Every bomb was seen to burst on the target. All our machines returned safely." Admiralty, August 27th. " During the period August igth-25th Royal Air Force contingents working with the Navy have carried out bombing raids on the following objectives :— Bruges Docks, Bruges, Zeebrugge Mole, Zeebrugge, Zeebrugge Canal, Cstend Docks, St. Pierre Capelle .Solway Works, Middlekerke.Westende and Maria Aalter. Also the aerodromes at Oostacker,Ghistelles,Martakerke and Vlisseghem. Ap- proximately 27 tons of bombs were dropped. At Bruges many good bursts were observed, direct hits being made on a submarine shelter. Burst were also ob- served on store sheds both sides of the West Basin. Two large explosions and two big fires were caused in the docks. Anti-submarine, reconnaissance, photo- graphic, and fighting patrols have been maintained. Enemy shipping and land batteries have been attacked. Our fighting squadrons have destroyed five enemy machines and driven down five others out of control. Four of our machines are missing. In home waters during the same period seaplanes, aeroplanes, and airships have maintained anti-submarine, convoy, and hostile aircraft patrols. Enemy submarines have been sighted and attacked, and mines located and destroyed." General Headquarters, August 27th. " In spite of clouds and rainstorms, a great deal of work was accomplished by our airmen along and beyond the battle front on August 26th. Contact patrols observed and reported the positions reached by our troops. Other aeroplanes dropped ammunition by parachute to our machine gunners. Observation for artillery fire wa» carried on with difficulty. Ourlow-flying aeroplanes bombed and fired on enemy troops and transports wherever a suitable target presented itself. During the 24 hours *6i tons of bombs were dropped by us. Four hostile machines were destroyed, and one other was driven down out of control. Two German balloons were shot down in flames. Nine of our machines are missing." War Office, August 27th. " Italian Front.—Since my last report the Royal Air Force has destroyed 10 enemy aircraft. Two of our machines are missing." General Headquarters, August 2&th. " On August 27th our low-flying aeroplanes were again active on the battle front. In spite of clouds and rainstorms, enemy troops and transport were constantly attacked from the air with bombs and machine-gun fire. Much information regarding the progress of the fighting was supplied both by our aeroplanes and balloons. Aerial combats were numerous. In the course of these we destroyed nine hostile aeroplanes and drove five down out of control. Seven of our machines failed to return. Two German balloons were shot down in flames. Our anti-aircraft fire also brought down a hostile scout machine. Twenty-two tons of bombs were dropped by us during the day. Stormy weather made flying impossible at night." General Headquarters, August 29//1. " Low clouds, rain, and wind greatly interfered with flying on August 28th. Photography was almost impossible and observation for artillery fire very difficult. Six tons of bombs were dropped by our airmen and many rounds fired from the air upon enemy troops and transport in the battle zone. At various points 9mall-arm ammunition was delivered by parachute to our troops in the forward areas of the battlefield. One enemy machine was destroyed in air fighting and another-was brought down in flames by our aati-aircraft fire. Two of our machines are missing. At night n J tons of bombs were dropped by us, Canbrai junction and an aerodrome east of St. Quentin being heavily attacked." Headquarters. R.A .F. Independent Force, August 30th. " On the morning of the 30 th inst. our machines attacked the railway station at Conflans arid a hostile aerodrome. Direct hits were obtained both on the hangars at the aerodrome and the railway: ~* Conflans. In the course of fight- ing one enemy aeroplane was destroyed. All these machines returned safely. Another a'.tack was also carried out by one of our squadrons on the stations at Conflans and Thionville. This squadron engaged a largely superior number of hostile machines. Fierce fighting ensued, in the course of which one enemy aeroplane was destroyed, one out of control. Four of our machines are missing." General Headquarters, August 30th. " Eleven hostile machines were shot down by us on August 29th and 10 driven down out of control. One German balloon was set on fire. Nine of our machines are missing. Our airmen were actively engaged in all departments of their work throughout the day. Fifteen and a-half tons of bombs were dropped on a variety of targets, including Bruges Docks and many railway connections beyond the battle zone. Unfavourable weather stopped night flying." Headquarters, R.A.F. Independent Force, August 31st. " On the night of the 3oth-3ist our squadrons made an attack on the hostile aerodrome at Boulay (in Lorraine). Some bombs were dropped also on another aerodrome. Very good results were obtained and a fire started at Boulay aero- drome. Ten tons of bombs were dropped. One of our machines is missing." General Headquarters, August 31s*. " The weather was cloudy on August 30th, but the various activities of our Air Service were fully maintained all along the front. There was much useful observation by aeroplanes and balloons. Twelve enemy machines were destroyed during the day, and five driven down out of control. Four of our machines are missing. Bruges Docks and Zeebrugge Mole were heavily bombed, as well as a number of selected targets opposite to the battle zone. In all, 25 J , tons were dropped during the 24 hours." General Headquarters, September 1 st. " Six hostile machines were destroyed in air fighting on August 31st, and three driven down out of control. Seven of our machines are missing. In spite of low clouds, the work of the Air Force along the front was carried on throughout the day, in close co-operation with troops on the ground, by our aeroplanes and balloons. A large number of photographs were taken, and enemy movements kept under observation. Twelve and a-half tons of bombs were dropped between dawn and dusk. At night flying was impossible." War Office, September 1st. " Solortico.^During the past fortnight we have brought down six enemy aeroplanes out of control." French. Paris, August 25th. " The very bad weather on the whole front yesterday hampered the work of our airmen. Nevertheless, our chasing crews brought down four enemy aero- planes. It was not possible to carry out any bombing raids during the day The weather having improved during the night our bombing squadrons im- mediately took the air. Eighteen thousand four hundred kilogrammes -of explosives were dropped in the rear of the battlefield and on the stations serving it. The bivouacs in the region of Ognolles, Guiscard, the stations, railway lines, and concentration zones of Laon, Anizy-Le-Chateau, Jussy, Chauny, La F*re, Ham, Semide, Pontravert, and Guignicourt were subjected to a hail of projectiles. Numerous hits on the mark were registered, and fires broke out at Loan, Guis- card, and Guignicourt." Pans, August 26th. " Balkans. British airmen bombarded enemy bivouacs in the Demirhissar region. A Serbian airman brought down an enemy machine in the Dobropolje district." Paris, August 2gth. "Balkans.—British airmen bombarded enemy bivouacs north-west of Doixan." Paris, August 30th. " During the day of August 29th our bombing machines attacked the forest of Pinon and the railway station of Anizy-le-Cbateau and the crossings of the Ailette in this region. More than 48 tons of projectiles were dropped. Twenty enemy I0O9
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