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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0581.PDF
or Egypt as probationary flight officers. When the 28th Squadron Royal Flying Corps was sent to co-operate with the forces in East Africa, it was largely composed of South Africans, and came to be known as the South African Squadron. The total number of South Africans who have been commissioned in the flying services is about 3,oco, who have taken part in the campaigns in France, Egypt, Palestine, and Africa. mmm The Colony presented a large number of machines to the Imperial Govern ment during the war. 9. Assistance to the Allies A met ica The Government of the United States has paid a striking tribute to the British Air Service by adopting our system of training. The first 500 American officer cadets to be trained went through the School of Military Aeronautics at Oxford, subsequently graduating at various aerodromes in England. These officers formed the nucleus of American schools which were eventually started both in the United States and in France. In addition to this training of American pilots, 10 American squadrons were partially trained in Canada under a reciprocal agreement whereby Canada obtained the use of certain American aerodromes at seasons when weather conditions rendered some of the Canadian aerodromes temporarily unavailable. Four of these squadrons completed their training in England, and were then attached to the R.A.F. in the field to gain experience under service conditions for six to eight months. The remaining six went direct to the American authorities in France. In all, about 700 American pilots have passed through our schools and graduated at our aerodromes. An agreement was also entered into under which a pool of American mechanics up to a maximum of 15,000 at a time was maintained in England. This arrangement was mutually advantageous, as, while relieving the demand for skilled tradesmen in the R.A.F., it also assisted the Americans to train their own squadrons for service in the field. This personnel, coming from America untrained, was attached to training units for three to eight months, being then sent toFrance from time to time in the form of complete squadrons until a total of 59 squadrons was reached in accordance with the demands of the American Command in France. We have also supplied large numbers of aeroplanes of modern standard type, and when the question of producing a standardised engine was con sidered, every facility was given and all our experience placed at the disposal of the American Government, with the result that the Liberty engine was evolved. Some 95 officers were sent out to the United States to assist in an advisory capacity, and a large number of American officers have both visited and undergone courses at most of the schools and training stations of the Royal Air Force. In addition, a very large amount of material, supplies, samples, drawings, and technical information was supplied to both the American Army and Naval Aviation Services. Frame We have assisted the French Government to a considerable extent in train ing her pilots, more especially in aerial fighting. For this purpose four Gos- port instructors, together with four mono-Avro aeroplanes, were sent to France. We have supplied 48 complete machines and various new types of engines to the French Government, and an order for 150 Sunbeam engines is on the point of completion. About 600 Hythe gun cameras were also supplied during 1917-18 to the French schools for training purposes. French officers have constantly visited this country with a view to studying our methods, and have been given every facility for visiting schools, training centres, and technical establishments. Italy Immediately after the Italian retreat in November, 1917, four British aeroplane squadrons were sent to the Italian front to co-operate with the Italian Air Service and with the British forces in Italy ; these four squadrons have been maintained and a fifth squadron has recently been added. The brief record of the work performed by these squadrons, given in the Appendix, illustrates the valuable assistance they have rendered to our Ally. During 1918 the Italian Government were supplied with 150 Vickers guns each month, and with upwards of 2,000 Lewis guns. A number of Hythe gun cameras have been sent out, and between 200 and 300 sights and lenses, as well as photographic chemicals. Belgium In 1916 a number of Sopwith ij strutters were provided by the R.N.A.S. In 1917, 22 more machines of this type were supplied, and 22 R.E. 8.'s for artillery co-operation. In 1918, 36 " Camel " and 18 D.H. 9 machines were furnished to the Belgian Aviation Corps. Greece The Greek Government have been supplied with 20 seaplanes ; 40 D.H. 6 machines and six Sopwith " Camels," together with complete equipment and transport, had been allotted and were ready for despatch, but have been held back owing to the cessation of active hostilities. Russia In 1916 a mission was sent to Russia to assist in training and organising the Russian Flying Corps, and during the latter part of 1916 and during t9i7 Russia was supplied with 25r aeroplanes. In May, 1918, orders were issued for the despatch of a R.A.F. contingent in conjunction with a special mission which was being sent to Northern Russia to operate from Arch angel. The force consisted of eight D.H. 4 (R.A.F. 3A) machines with a complement of personnel and stores. On arrival at Archangel sufficient machines were collected from those which had previously been sent to Russia to form two squadrons of Nieuports and ij strutters. In August, 1918, reinforcements were despatched to Archangel, consisting of a proportion of British officers, N.C.O.'s, and men, a wing headquarters, an Intelligence Section, one flight of R.E. 8.'s, and two Repair Sections for engines and air craft respectively. On November 12, 1918, a further reinforcement of six Sopwith scouts and a six months' supply of stores were despatched. Japan Several officers have been undergoing courses on aeroplanes and sea planes. Seventy-seven complete machines and 100 Le Rhone engines have been supplied. Brazil Several officers have graduated as pilots under the tuition of our instruc tors. Two flying boats have been supplied to the Brazilian Government. Roumania Several officers have been given instruction and have graduated as pilots. Twenty Sopwith machines have also been supplied. APPENDIX. Personnel R.F.C R.N.A.S R.A.F Total August, 191 Other Officers. ranks. 147 50 1,097 550 4- Total. 1,244 600 1,844 December, ic Officers. 5,982 2,764 Other ranks. 5i,9i5 26,r29 16. Total. 57,«97 28,893 86,790 R.F.C R.N.A.S R.A.F Total December, r9r7. Officers. 15,522 4,765 Other Ranks. 98.738 43.050 Total. 114,260 47,8i5 162,075 October, 1918. Officers. 27,906 Other Ranks. 263,842 Total. 291,748 291,748 Machines and Engines on Charge Aug ust, 1914. A V a .— .C O a S in £ c •9 ec a w January, 1917- r/] £> a 2 0 « K . T' a e •fi 9 a w Januarv, 1918.' R.F.C. R.N.A.S. R.AF. Total 179 93 272 •• 3.929 1,567 5,496 6,056 3.672 9,728 8,350 A 741 11,091 a October, 1918. in 3 CO £ S c § 0 H 14,755 6,902 21,657 22,171 22,r7i 37,702 37,702 Output of Machines and Engines R.F.C. R.N.A.S. .. Total August, 1914, to May, i9r5 (10 months). w JB s 530 No record. 53o <f. u •a c W 141 No record. 141 June, 1915, to February, rgi7 (21 months). £ •*3 CO A OJ be s « 7,r37 No record. 7,t37 8,917 No record. 8,917 March, 1917, to December, 1917 (10 months). an 3 « % 12,275 1,246 13,521 tfi "So « *3,979 January, 1918, to October, 1918 (10 months). c Q en £ 26,685 26,685 w GSs M 29,561 29,561 Expansion of Motor Transport Motor Transport (all Types). R.F.C. Only. August, 1914- August, 1915- August, r9i6. August, 1917. R.A.F. October 31, 1918. On charge 320 2.469 5,282 8,5»4 23,260 Sauadrons Maintained Western Independent Force 5 Group • • India Italy Middle East Russia Home defence Naval units Total .. Service. Aug , 1914. 4 (R.F.C.) . . Ij(R.N.A.S.) 5 Oct. 31, 1918. 84 and five flights 10 3 2 4 13 I 18 64 198 and 5 flights Training, (r Training Depot Station reckoned as 3 Squadrons, __ Home Egypt .. Canada .. Aug., 1914. 1 (R.F.C.) . . 2 (R.N.A.S.) ., 3 |Oct. 31 1918. 174 10 15 199 581
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