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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 1304.PDF
NOVEMBER 14, 1918 AIRCRAFT WORK AT THE FRONT. OFFICIAL INFORMATION British General Headquarters, November ^th. " On November 4th fine weather enabled our squadrons to maintain in- tense activity along the whole front, although a strong south-westerly wind hampered long-distance operations. Co-operating with our attacking troops, our low-flying machines caused great havoc in the ranks of the retreating enemy with bombs and machine-gun fire, scattering his infantry, stampeding his horses, and ditching his guns and transport. In- addition, the Head- quarters concerned were kept informed of the movements of our troops and the dispositions of the enemy. The valuable reconnaissance and photo- graphic work which was accomplished, and the accurate observation of our artillery fire both by aeroplanes and balloons, had a share in the success of the operations. Meanwhile, our bombing machines attacked important rail- way junctions and aerodromes. Many direct hits were observed on railways, and at one aerodrome, which was attacked from a very low altitude, three hangars were set on fire and destroyed. In all, nearly 33 tons of bombs were dropped during the day. The enemy showed great activity in the air, and heavy fighting ensued. As a result, 40 of his machines were shot down and 15 were driven down out of control. Five German balloons were destroyed. Thirty-five of our machines are reported missing. Our operations were con- tinued at night, and nearly 14 tons of bombs were dropped on important railway jun - tions and stations. Direct hits were seen to cause considerable damage. These operations were discontinued early, as the wind increased greatly. Four of our machines failed to return. Paris, November j/i. " During yesterday our aerial reconnaissances enabled us to follow the retreating movement of the Germans. By.day the bombing squadrons dropped over 38 tons of projectiles and fired 16,000 cartridges on the convoys and con- centrations of troops. In the region of Vendresse-Raucourt, by night, ioj tons of projectiles were dropped on the stations of Me*zieres, Mohon, Lumes, Triage, Sedan, Poix, Terron, and Vendresse, in which bursts were observed. Ii is confirmed that since November 2nd Lieut. Fonck has brought down six enemy aeroplanes, bringing the number of this pilot's victories to 75." Headquarters R.A.F., Independent Force, November 6th. " During the past 24 hours, mist and low clouds have been prevalent, and on the night of the 5th-6th there were also heavy showers of rain. In spite of these conditions, on the afternoon of the 5th our machines attacked a hostile aerodrome at Morhange, obtaining direct hits on the railway and the aero- drome. In the course of fighting one enemy aeroplane was driven down out of control. All our machines returned. On the night of the 5th-6th, our machines attacked the hostile aerodromes at Morhange, Frescaty, Dieuze and Lellingen. Good shooting was obtained. A hangar was set on fire at Morhange. All our machines returned. On the 6th inst. Buhl aerodrome was heavily and successfully attacked. Large numbers of enemy aeroplanes attacked our formations, and in the course of severe fighting three enemy machines were destroyed. Three of our machines are at present unlocated." General Headquarters, November 6th. " On November 5th, in spite of low clouds and continuous rain, our machines in the battle area, flying at a hrightof about 100 ft., actively co-operated with our advancing troops, bringing back valuable information as to their move- ments, and reconnoitring the positions held by the enemy. The roads, congested with traffic and infantry in close order, were attacked with machine- gun fire and bombs, and great confusion and heavy casualties were seen to bo caused. Over 8| tons of bombs were dropped during these operations. There was practically no activity on the part of the enemy in the air. One hostile aeroplane which was encountered, was shot down out of control. Three of our machines are missing. No night operations were possible on account of weather conditions." General Headquarters, November ylh. " On November 6th low clouds and continuous rain greatly restricted flying, but some of our machines succeeded in harassing the enemy's troops and transport with bombs and machine-gun fire, dropping over half a ton of bombs and causing casualties and damage. There was no hostile aircraft activity. Two of our machines are missing. No night operations were possible on account of weather conditions." Headquarters R.A.F., Independent Force, November 7th. " In addition to the attacks already reported, our machines on the afternoon of November 6th bombed the factories at Saarbriicken. One direct hit was obtained on the factory and one on the railway sidings, but other results could not be observed. In the course of fighting, two enemy aircraft were destroyed and two more enemy machines were driven down out of control. One of our machines is missing. Also, in addition to the enemy aircraft reported accounted for yesterday, a further two machines were destroyed and one was driven down out of control." (1 General Headquarters, November 8th.On November 7th, except for a very little low reconnaissance work, no flying operations could be carried out on account of driving mist and rain, which lasted all day." „ General Headquarters, November gth. • On November 8th low clouds and continuous rain again greatly cur- tailed operations. Some valuable low reconnaissance work was completed, toe enemy's movements being observed and reported. Nearly three-quarters 01 a ton of bombs were dropped on the enemy's troops and transport. No aostile machines were seen during the day. One of our machines is missing. At mght the weather improved slightly, and some of our night-flying machines !!r<L t0 attack important railway centres, dropping over 11J tons of ts with good effect. All these machines have returned." „ General Headquarters, November 10th. .. Yn November 9th fine weather enabled our squadrons to maintain great andI ai!°Dg the whole front- A larSe number of photographs were taken coni-mUj va'uaWe reconnaissance work was completed. Our machines mariv to narass the columns of the retreating enemy with bembs and uspffi"6?1111 fire> delaying and disorganising his retreat and returning withlli ""ormation. Qur bombing squadrons also co-ordinated in the advance by attacking important railway centres with visibly good results. In all over 13 tons of bombs were dropped. Considering the weather, the enemy's activity in the air was not great. In air fighting 12 German machines were shot down and seven were driven down out of control. One German balloon was shot down in flames. Thirteen of our machines are missing. " At night our squadrons continued their activity, heavily attacking the important railway junctions of Liege, Louvain, and Cbarleroi, dropping 26 tons of bombs. Many direct hits were obtained on the permanent way, trains, and station buildings, and several explosions and fires were caused. Two of our machines failed to return." Headquarters R.A.F., Independent Force, November 10th. " On the afternoon of the 9th inst. some of our machines, flying through clouds, carried out individual bombing raids on various railway ctntrts sciw distance over the lines. These raids were very successful, and were without loss to us. On the morning of the 10th inst. our squadrons heavily attacked the hostile aerodrome at Mormange. Bursts were observed on and near hangars. All our machines returned." Headquarters R.A.F., Independent Force, November nth. " On the afternoon of the 10th inst., besi' es the raids already reported, our machines successfully attacked the railway junctions at Ehrangi". Results could not be observed. One of our machines is at present unlocated. On the night of the loth-nth inst. our machines attacked hostile aerrdrcmes at Morhange, Frescaty, and Lellingham, and the railways at Metz-Sablon. Direct hits were obtained at Frescaty and exceptionally good shooting at Morhange, where 10 direct hits on hangars were observed. Three large fires were started and very considerable damage done. All our machines re- turned." General Headquarters, November nth. " On November 10th our squadrons continued their work in fine weather, actively co-operating in the general advance and vigorously bombing the enemy's troops and transport. Over 2,000 photographs were taken and a great deal of valuable information was brought in by our reconnaissance machines. More than 19 tons of bombs were dropped during the day. The enemy did not show great activity in the air. In air fighting 16 hostile machines were shot down and one was driven down out of control. In addition, two German machines, standing on an aerodrome were destroyed by bombs dropped from a low altitude. Nine of our machines are missing. At night our bombing operations were continu d. Louvain, Namur, Char- leroi and many oth r important railway centres were attacked with excellent results. In one case an ammunition train was blown up and fires and explo- sions were caused on the sidings in which it was standing. In all over 20 tons of bombs were dropped. All our machines have returned." French Paris, November Jth. " The bad weather did not prevent our airmen frcm doing good work during the day of the 6th. Our machines worked in co-operation with our infantry, and attacked with bombs and machine-guns the retreating German columns. Fifteen and a half tons of bombs and 13,000 cartridges were used." Paris, November 8th. "During the fighting of the month of October our anti-aircraft defence force took an important part in the fighting against German aircraft. The mission of the latter was to cover the retreat of the enemy troops and to impede our advance. They showed themselves particularly aggressive, machine-gunning our infantry and our batteries. Thanks to the excellence of their shooting, their skill, and the vigilance of the personnel, our Anti- aircraft formations largely contributed to levying a heavy price upon the enemy for his daring tactics. Thirty-five German aeroplanes were brought down by our posts and our auto-cannon, and four machines were so damaged that they were obliged to abandon their mission. Special mention is due to the 68th Section of auto-cannon of the 66th Regiment of Artillery, over which a patrol of five Fokkers flew at a low altitude. A veritable battle ensued. The coolness of the gunners under a rain of bombs and machine-gun bullets enabled the gunners to bring down in a lew minutes three machines, while a fourth, fleeing before a murderous fire, fell to the ground after Deing hit by the fire of a neighbouring section." Paris, November gth. " Despite heavy rains and mist our airmen executed rtennaisiance missions and successfully bombed and machine-gunned enemy troops in " vicinity of Montuody." U.S.A. Pans, November 5th. " Thirty of our bombing planes executed a successful raid on Mouzon and Raucourt this morning, dropping over 2 tons of bombs with good effect. Reconnaissance and pursuit squadrons carried out many successful missions, machine-gunning enemy troops, and greatly assisting the advance of our infantry. Seventeen enemy aeroplanes were shot down, and two enemy balloons burned. Seven of our planes are missing." Paris, Ni.vember 6th. " During successful air combats yesterday afternoon three additional enemy planes were brought down. All of our machines returned." Paris, November 8th. " Despite adverse weather conditions, our airmen, flying at a h ight of 100 metres, carried out a number of reconnaissance missions. They bombed and machine-gunned concentrations of enemy troops in the region of Ba on and Remoiville, and blew up an ammunition dump at Gibercy. Four enemy balloons were destroyed, and three enemy aeroplanes were shot down during the day. One of our planes is missing." Belgium Havre, November 5th. " On Sunday, a German aeroplane, hit by our anti-aircraft artillery, fell disabled in the enemy lines." German Berlin, November 6th. " On November 4th we shot down 45 enemy aeroplanes. First Lieut. Rolle and Lieut. Konnecke obtained their 35th aerial victories." A New Height Record. >, . iZHE Aero Club of America has announced that theT "a s record for high flight, 28,900 ft. above sea level, made >'^-apt. R. w. Schroeder in a Bristol fighter, with a 300-h.p. p g g, ,9Schroeder in a Bristol fighter, with a 300-h.p. motor, at the Wilbur Wright field, nearbza motor, t r t ranH ?'t. hlo< on September 18th, 1918, has been confirmed uu established by the Club and the U.S. Government. The previous American altitude record was made by Caleb Bragg at Mineola on September 20th, 1917, when he reached a height of 20,250 ft. in a Wright-Martin model V machine. The last previous world's record of the Internationale Aero-nautique Federation was made by G. Legagneux in France on December 28th, 1913, when he attained a height of 20,258 ft. 1305
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