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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0746.PDF
FLIGHT, JULY 22, 1932 bomber will hold its course. Not more than one fighter is to attack a bomber at the same time. (d) Under no circumstances is a formation or single air craft to approach within 100 yards of an opponent. (e) Fighter aircraft will not at any time attack or con tinue an engagement against bomber aircraft within three miles of any objective. Bombing Procedure (a) A number of points in Northland have been selected as objectives for bomb raids, and camera obscura will be established at these points. These are in the vicinity of Milton, Wantage, Wallingford, Henley-on-Thames, Coventry and Buckingham. Dropping of bombs will be indicated by visual signal. No aircraft will carry live bombs or ammunition in the air. A proportion of bombers will, however, carry the full war load of dummy bombs. Intelligence (a) Observer Posts.—A section of the Observer Corps will be in position in part of the operational area between 1800 hours and 2359 hours on July 18, 19 and 20. This Corps consists of Special Constables who are stationed at various observation posts and are in communi cation with the operational headquarters. They endeavour to give continuous information regarding the approach of raiders. (b) Alternative Intelligence.—During the periods when the Observer Corps is not functioning, or when over an unmanned zone, bomber aircraft will report their approxi mate position, height and course by W/T at regular intervals while they are in the operational area. These reports will serve as Southland Intelligence System during the hours that their observers are not at work or where there are no obesrvers. Meteorological Information Arrangements have been made for the transmission of periodical weather forecasts covering the area of operations. These forecasts will be issued by the Air Ministry at the following times: — (a) 16.00 hours—addressed to all stations—period 8 hours. , . (b) 19.30 hours—addressed to all stations engaged in night operations—period 9 hours. \c) 02.30 hours—addressed to all stations engaged in day operations—period 8 hours. Searchlights and A.A. Units No searchlights or anti-aircraft units are operating in the Exercises this year. Progress of the Exercises may be summarised as follows:— (1) 22 00 Hours July 18, 1932.—At 6 o'clock this evening, operations commenced, and the first Day Bomber Squadron of Southland crossed the Northland frontier. The weather conditions generally were favourable, although clouds were low and visibility was poor to the east. Lp to the present close raids by Day Bombers had been made oil various objectives in Northland Information received so far indicates that the defence has been generally successful and according to reports received up to the conclusion of the daylight operations, seven combats had taken place between Fighters and Bombefs. It is not yet possible to assess the casua ties sustained by both sides, as all reports have not yet been received by the Umpire Staff. Attacks by Southland are being continued and the first night bomb-raids have already been reported as approaching the frontier. ...... . 22 10 hours, Monday July 18, 1932.—It was stated at the Air Ministry to-night that shortly before the Air Exercises were due to commence two aircraft of No 12 (Bomber) Squadron collided in the air in the vicinity of Andover The pilot and passenger of one aircraft descended safely by parachute near Shipton Bellinger. The other aircraft landed safely on the aerodrome, the two members of the crew being unhurt. (2) 18 00 hours July 18, to 12.00 hours, July 19. Daylight Raids—I. Opera tions comnenced at 6 o'clock on Monday evening. 2 Weather conditions generally were favourable, although clouds were low' and visibility was poor to the east. During the night the weather conditions steadily improved, fine weather extending over a large part of the operational area with comparatively small amounts of cloud. In the early morning there was a slight mist at a few places for a brief time. 3. Attacks by Southland Day Bomber Squadrons took place between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday evening. Three Hart Squadrons, Nos. 18, 33, and 12, one Fairey IIIF No. 35, one Wapiti No. 602 and one Gordon Squadron No. 40, carried out attacks by Squadrons. 4. The Northland frontier was crossed at points between Selsey Bill and Lulworth. The Hart Squadrons then proceeded to attack objectives at Coventry and Buckingham, the Fairey IIIF Squadron objectives at Walling ford, the Wapiti Squadron objectives at Wantage, and the Gordon Squadron objectives at Didcot. 5. As information of raiders was received, the Northland Fighter Squadrons were sent up to intercept them. A Bulldog Squadron, No. 54, intercepted the Hart Squadron, No. 12, making for Buckingham, and shot down one bomber, losing one Bulldog itself. One of the Hart Squadrons, No. 18, raiding Coven try, was intercepted on its way back by three Hart fighters who lost one air craft. The other Hart Squadron, No. 33, raiding Coventry, was not inter cepted. 6. The Fairey IIIF Squadron, making for Wallingford, was intercepted by a Fury Squadron, No. 25. One Fairey IIIF and one Fury were shot down. 7. The Wapiti Squadron, No. 602, was intercepted over its objective at Wantage by a Bulldog Squadron, No. 19, and one Wapiti and one Bulldog were shot down. This Wapiti Squadron was again intercepted by Bulldogs, Demons, and Furies, of 23 and 25 Squadrons, on the return journey. Asa result, two more Wapitis were destroyed. 8. Of all the day bomber raids on the 18th, the only one that escaped interception was the Gordon Squadron, which attacked the objective at Didcot without being molested either on the way in or out. Night Raids.—9. From 10 p.m. on Monday evening, operations by Southland night bombers commenced. These raids were carried out by single aircraft at various time intervals up to 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19. 10. Virginias of No. 7 Squadron attacked objectives at Buckingham and Wantage. Aircraft of this Squadron were attacked on their return by Bulldog fighters of 41 Squadron. One Virginia and one Bulldog were shot down. 11. Virginias of No. 58 Squadron attacked objectives at Wantage and Buckingham. Those attacking Wantage were nut intercepted, but one of those attacking Buckingham was shot down by fighters of No. 23 Squadron before reaching its objective. 12. Virginias of No. 9 Squadron attacked objectives at Coventry ; one was attacked by Siskin fighters and destroyed. One fighter was shot down. 13. Four Hinaidis of No. 99 Squadron attacked objectives at Wallingford, and two were attaked by Bulldog fighters of No. 32 Squadron, and Furies of No. 1 Squadron, one Hinaidi being shot down before reaching the objective. One Bulldog was shot down. 14. Six Hinaidis of No. 10 Squadron attacked objectives at Milton, and one was attacked by a Bulldog patrol of No. 3 Squadron, but without result. 15. Virginias from No. 502 Squadron and Hyderabads from No. 503 Squadron attacked objectives at Henley. Five combats took place with defending Fighters of No. 32 and 41 Squadrons. Two Virginias and two Hyderabads were shot down, together wth two Bulldogs. This action greatly- reduced the effectiveness of the raid. 16. From 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. to-day, Tuesday, Southland resumed its raids by day bombers. Raids were carried out on objectives at Coventry, Bucking ham, Henley, Milton, Wantage, and Wallingford. Several combats with defending fighters occurred. 17. The results of operations up to date show that the defence, in spite of the lack of normal facilities, such as searchlights, A.A. Guns, etc., have scored a considerable measure of success, and that the attackers may expect to meet a determined resistance in future raids. (3) 18.0U Hours to 22.00 Hours, July 19.—Operations recommenced at 6 p.m. to-day. The weather, which had been improving steadily during the night, continued tine with comparatively little cloud throughout the day, though the visibility was poor in certain areas. Southland Bomber Squadrons carried out seven raids during this period, their objectives being Coventry, Buckingham, Henley. Milton. Wantage and Wallingford. Of these raids four have been intercepted. Amplifying Report of Phase 3—04.00 to 08.00 Hours, July 19. — Raid re suits during this period were as follows :— (1) Coventry.—Nine Harts, No. 33 Squadron endeavoured to bomb objec tive, but were intercepted on the way by No. Ill (Fighter) Squadron and lost one bomber and destroyed one fighter. Ten Harts, No. 18 Squadron, were intercepted on their" way in by No. Ill (Fighter) Squadron, losing one bomber. This Squadron reached its objective, but was intercepted again on return by No. 29 (Fighter) Squadron and lost a second bomber. (2) Buckingham.—Nine Harts, No. 12 Squadron, successfully reached their objective, but were intercepted on return by No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron, losing two bombers and destroying one fighter. (3) Henley.—Nine Wapitis, No. 603 Squadron, were intercepted on their way in by No. 23 (Fighter) Squadron and were dispersed, losing one bomber and destroying one fighter. They were intercepted again over their objective by No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron, losing two more bombers, and again 13 minutes later, by No. 23 (Fighter) Squadron, when they lost a fourth bomber. (4) Milton.—Ten Fairey III F's, No. 35 Squadron, were intercepted on their way in by Nos. 1 and 111 (Fighter) Squadrons, losing one bomber and destroying one fighter. They were intercepted again shortly afterwards over their objective by nine Furies, losing two more bombers. (5) Wantage.—Ten Harts, No. 12 Squadron, carried out a successful raid, reaching their objective and returning without being intercepted. Nine Wapitis of No. 602 Squadron were intercepted on their wav in by No. 19 (Fighter) Squadron, losing one bomber and destroying one fighter. They were intercepted again a few minutes later by No, 111 (Fighter) Squadron anil lost a second bomber. They succeeded, however, in reaching their objective. (6) Wallingford.—Nine Gordons, No. 40 Squadron, were intercepted on their way in by No. 19 (Fighter) Squadron and lost one bomber. They reached their objective, but were intercepted again on their return, by No. 43 Fighter) Squadron, and lost a second bomber. Maintenance of Aircraft Tyres AIR MINISTRY Notice to Ground Engineers No. 31 of 1932 draws attention to the danger of aircraft tyres developing " concussion bursts " which may result in complete failure of the outer cover. It is recommended, therefore, that periodic examination should be made of tyres for indications of the initial stages of failure, the best method being to pass the hand over the tyre, when the affected area can generally be detected by a local swelling. Careful checking of the correct tyre pressure at frequent intervals is also recommended. Ground Engineers' Licences, Category X ACCORDING to Air Ministry Notice to Ground Engineers No, 29 of 1932, examination boards will sit at the Home Aircraft Dep6t, R.A.F., Henlow Camp, Bedfordshire, on the third Friday in the months of August and February, and examination in the parachute category " X " can only be made at these specified times. 698
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