CHAPTER XXIX

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.