FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1938
1938 - 0590.PDF
FLIGHT. MARCH 3, 1938. Harrows ot No. 214 (B.) Squadron take off in formation from the smooth turf of FeltwelJ. prefixed to the numbers of all R.N.A.S. squadrons. But the Germans were advancing so fast that there was talk of partially evacuating the country between the lines and the Channel ports. Nos. 207 and 215 Squadrons were actually sent back to England, but they left their Handley Pages behind, some of them being handed over to No. 214, while others went to the Independent Air Force. While the Army was still struggling, though with in- creased confidence, the Navy took the initiative by the attempt to block the Zeebrugge canal on St. George's Day, April 23. The weather would not allow aircraft to take part in that gallant action. But after it was over the Bruges docks were seen to be crammed full of U-boats, which evidently could not get away. Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes begged and implored that they should be bombed out of existence, especially as the Army was now through the worst of its ordeal, but Sir Douglas Haig was still loath to spare any long-range bombers. Nevertheless, No. 214 was told to do something in the matter. Assisting a Block-ship The next big event was the attempt to block Ostend harbour by sinking the Vindictive in its mouth on the night of May 9-10. This time No. 214 took an active share in the fight. The squadron had seven Handley Pages ready in the air waiting for the monitors to open fire, which was to be the signal. The first shot was fired at 1.43 a.m., and at once the Handley Pages started bomb ing the German batteries. They kept it up for three- quarters of an hour, and dropped altogether six 550 lb., fifty-three 112 lb., and twenty-six 25 lb. bombs. Then at 2 a.m. they started dropping flares at intervals to help the men who were sinking the Vindictive. It was a great pity that so gallaf1 an action should not have had a better result. So far the part of the aeroplanes had been easy, but as they left the scene of action fog came up, and four of them had to land away from their aerodrome. Sir Roger Keyes continued his demands for regular bomb- ing of Bruges, and the Air Ministry instructed No. 214 Squadron to carry this out. The Vice-Admiral pointed out, however, that at that time that squadron had only six serviceable machines. After a while the Air Ministry placed the squadron under the orders of Sir Roger, and it was presently brought up to strength. Then the Germans in Bruges began to have a bad time. On May 28 Capt. C. H. Darley, of No. 214, glided in over Bruges from the sea with engines silent and dropped three 520 lb. bombs on the locks. Two fell into one lock, and the third exploded close to the north gate of the lock. Two nights later a Handley Page of the squadron attacked La Brugeoise works and exploded an ammunition dump which was close beside them. As the summer went on the tide turned, and the Allies began their victorious advance. The submarine menace was also pretty well in hand by that time, and the Navy had not the same urgent need of heavy bombers. So when it was found that the Belgian Army was short of aircraft Sir Roger Keyes placed at King Albert's disposal the whole of No. 5 Group, R.A.F., which included No. 214 Squadron. Only those who have taken part in a victory after years of terrible struggle can understand the feelings of the men who pushed on after the retreating foe. No. 214 Squadron played its part, and one of the last efforts recorded of it was to drop a 1,650 lb. bomb on the sidings at Melle station after dark. An ammunition train was exploded, and the damage done must have been terrific. Less than a month before the Armistice No. 214 Squad- ron had the honour of carrying King Albert and Queen Elizabeth with the King's staff over the Ostend district as soon as it had been evacuated by the enemy. During the whole of its time at the front the squadron lost only five machines on the enemy's side of the lines. Two of these were shot down and the crews killed, while the others landed and most of the crews survived as prisoners of war. The following honours were won by the squadron: five Distinguished Service Crosses and two bars to the D.S.C. ; eight Distinguished Flying Crosses; six Distinguished Service Medals; three Distinguished Fly- ing Medals; four Meritorious Service Medals; one officer was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire; eighteen Mentions in Despatches ; and two Croix de Guerre avec Palme. FLYING PURSERS FLIGHT not infrequently receives enquiries from youngpeople ot both sexes anxious to secure jobs as airline stewards or "air hostesses." With the increase in size of pas-senger aircraft, other such auxiliary posts have come into existence; an example is that of " flight clerk." Imperial Airways have recently taken on a number ol menfor this duty on the Empire flying boats. According to Imperials, a good many flight clerks are recruited from themercantile marine—young men, for example, who have held posts as assistant pursers in ships. Others join from various occupations. Among a recent batch one had been a recep-tionist at an hotel. Others come from widely differing com- mercial fields. Before starting their duties, the flight clerks enter a specialtraining school operated by Imperials. During this period they hear lectures from experts on various aspects of air trans-port, the subjects including air law, types of traffic carried, and the organisation and operation of commercial airlines. Inaddition to attending such lectures and classes, the clerks pass through various departments of the company.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
