THE EYES OF OUR ARMIES IN THE FIELD
Here we come into still closer contact with the work of the Royal
Flying Corps on the various battle-fronts. On September 3, 1916, the
fighting in the air on the Western Front was continuous. Again the
enemy’s aircraft were forced to remain some miles in rear of their own
lines, and entirely failed to interrupt the work of our machines. On
two separate occasions our aeroplanes opened fire on the enemy’s troops
on the ground. As a result of many combats, three hostile machines were
brought down and many others were driven down in a damaged condition.
On the previous day, in spite of the very unfavourable weather
conditions, our aeroplanes carried out successful co-operation with
our artillery. One of our patrols, consisting of four machines,
encountered and drove off a hostile patrol of thirteen aeroplanes. A
few days later British machines bombed an important railway junction
on the enemy’s lines of communications, causing great damage to the
station and rolling stock. One of the enemy’s aerodromes was bombed,
one machine being destroyed on the ground and others damaged. Many
other points of military importance were bombed. Some good work was
also done from low altitudes, locating the positions reached by our
troops. Three hostile machines were wrecked and four others driven down
in a damaged condition.
Again, on the fifteenth of the month our pilots kept up constant
and successful co-operation with our artillery and infantry, and
frequent and accurate reports were furnished of the course of the
battle. Hostile artillery and infantry were effectively engaged by
our aeroplanes with machine-gun fire. Many bombing attacks were also
carried out against hostile aerodromes and railway stations, in the
course of which troop trains were hit and transport railway sidings
attacked with machine-gun fire. A German kite balloon was brought down.
The total number of hostile aeroplanes destroyed was fifteen. Nine
others were driven down in a damaged condition.
On the twenty-second of the month there was again great aerial
activity. A highly successful raid by about fifty of our machines
was carried out on an important railway junction, where much damage
was done, two trains containing ammunition being destroyed and many
violent explosions caused. A number of other raids on enemy railway
works and sidings, aerodromes, and other points of military importance
were equally successful. In addition many fights took place in the
air, in the course of which three hostile machines were destroyed,
and five others driven to earth in a damaged condition, besides many
others which broke off in the middle of the fight and were seen to be
descending steeply, but could not be watched to the ground owing to our
machines being too busily engaged. On the following day five bombing
attacks were carried out by our aviators against railway stations on
the enemy’s communications. Much damage was done. In the course of an
air fight one of our aviators collided with his opponent. The hostile
machine fell vertically. Our machine fell for several thousand feet,
when the pilot managed to regain control and re-cross the lines,
safely flying over thirty miles with an almost uncontrollable machine.
The month closed in brilliant fashion for our Flying Corps. On the
thirtieth, two of the enemy’s aerodromes were successfully bombed by
our aeroplanes, and at least one machine destroyed. In the fighting
over the front, four enemy machines were brought down. Enemy troops and
transport were repeatedly attacked from the air with machine-gun fire,
and in one case several hundred infantry were dispersed. Another enemy
kite balloon was brought down in flames. There were many fights in the
air, in the course of which two enemy machines were destroyed and many
others driven down. On this particular day we suffered no losses.
Referring to the work of the month, Sir Douglas Haig said: ‘Our
aircraft have shown in the highest degree the spirit of the offensive.
They have patrolled regularly far behind the enemy’s lines, and have
fought many battles in the air with hostile machines and many with
enemy troops on the ground. For every enemy machine that succeeds in
crossing our front, it is safe to say that 200 British machines cross
the enemy’s front. A captured Corps report described our aeroplanes
as _surprisingly bold_, and their work has been as conspicuous for its
skill and judgement as for its daring.’
The opening days of the following month were unfavourable to aerial
activity. On the tenth, however, our aeroplanes showed activity and
destroyed, by bombing, two enemy battery positions, and damaged many
others. They penetrated well behind the enemy front and bombed railway
stations, trains, and billets with good effect. There was now much
fighting in the air, and in one case two of our machines engaged seven
hostile aeroplanes and drove down or dispersed them all. One of these
hostile aeroplanes was seen to be destroyed and two others severely
damaged.
The clear weather of the middle of October, 1916, gave scope for great
aerial activity. On the seventeenth our machines made a large number
of reconnaissances and bombed enemy railway lines, stations, billets,
factories, and depots. There were numerous fights in the air, three
enemy machines being destroyed, another driven to earth, and many
dispersed. Two more enemy kite balloons were attacked and forced down,
one being afterwards seen in flames.
Later in the same month, in spite of adverse weather conditions, our
aeroplanes co-operated successfully with our artillery. This indeed
has been one of the chief parts played by our heroic airmen. They
have acted as ‘the eyes of our artillery,’ observing, directing, and
reporting as only efficient aviators can.