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Aviation History
1933
1933 - 0321.PDF
FLIGHT, AUGUST 10, 1988 TESTING WIRELESS SETS : Three different sets can be car ried on the " Atlas " according to whether its duty is artillery observation, close reconnaissance, or medium reconnaissance. (FLIGHT Photo.) bombs, is a primary part of those duties. The army machines can Jo it, of course, but the idea is that this work ought rather to be carried out by fighters. Recon naissance is of the utmost import ance to an Army, and the machines which can bring in in formation or can put the guns on to a target ought not to waste their time and, incidentally, risk their own safety in detailed destruction of troops. Shrapnel is a far better man-killer than art- machine guns fired from the air, and the aeroplanes which can direct the guns are too valuable to be risked on minor operations. At present No. 26 A.-C. Squadron works with seven divisions, and has 12 machines to do the work. Of course, it would not have all that responsibility in war, provided that we were properly prepared for war before we became engaged in it. But if we were surprised, imagine the loss to those seven divisions if one machine of No. 26 Squadron were brought down by a lucky rifle shot from the ground! It might mean the failure of an important attack next day because • the enemy' s position had not been fully reconnoitred. Night flying is another function which the army co operation squadrons are preparing to carry out, although it is not yet fully developed. It is generally supposed that in future warfare movement of troops by day will be made- very difficult through air observation. The natural result will be movements by night. The question now is, will that defeat the aeroplane? They, too, must be prepared to reconnoitre by night, and with the help of flares to see what the enemy would prefer to conceal. The training year of No. 26 A.-C. Squadron is divided much as the training of other squadrons is arranged. In the spring the squadron goes to Catfoss Armament Train mg Camp to carry out its course in dropping bombs and in firing live rounds at ground targets and drogues towed through the air. Individual training of pilots is carried out until the end of April ; then comes flight train ing, and finally collective training with the Army troops. The squadron works with battalions during June and July, then with brigades, and finally with divisions. There is an Army camp near by at Catterick, and the officers of the squadron keep in close touch with Army officers. Two Army officers are attached to the squadron for liaison duties and live in the station. Catterick station is a pleasant place with a beautiful stretch of turf in the centre of the buildings. The build ings themselves are in process of being modernised, and seven building contracts are now in operation. When all the work is done, Catterick will be even a more pleasant place to visit than it is now. One can imagine Cabinet Ministers dropping down there by dozens. Certainly FLIGHT can speak from experience in saying that a more hospitable lot of officers it would be difficult to find in any R.A.F. station. ROAD PATROL : No. 26 (A.C.) Squadron patrolling along the old Roman road. (FLIGHT Photo.) 809
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