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5. Progress Report: March–September 1918
- University Press of Florida
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5 Progress Report March–September 1918 Between March and September 1918 naval aviation in Europe transformed itself from a concept into an operational reality. By the end of summer, final organizational adjustments had been made and command structure realigned to reflect the new combat reality. Eight stations in France conducted war operations . The Northern Bombing Group established several aerodromes and placed dozens of pilots with RAF squadrons to obtain vital experience. David Ingalls, not yet 20 years old, flew his way into history as the Navy’s first and only ace. At Killingholme, enormous flying boats conducted extensive patrols across the cold expanse of the North Sea, while aviators at Porto Corsini battled the Austrian air force in the skies above Pola. All four stations in Ireland reached operational status. Flying schools at Moutchic and Lake Bolsena functioned at full capacity, while the accelerating flow of aircraft from Pauillac , Brest, Queenstown, and Eastleigh began to break previous equipment logjams. In addition to operational issues, planners devoted considerable attention to many collateral concerns, such as possible amalgamation of Army and Navy flying forces, the challenges of establishing productive liaison with the Army and foreign governments, sometimes contentious intradepartmental relations, and the option of expanding the overall program. Throughout the period the entire agenda underwent extensive scrutiny from visiting congressional committees and high-ranking Department officers and officials like Asst. Secretary of the Navy Franklin Roosevelt and C-I-C Atlantic Fleet Henry Mayo. * * * During spring and summer 1918, naval aviation made enormous strides toward implementing its wide-ranging operational objectives. By the end of the period most planned stations were performing their wartime missions 124 Stalking the U-Boat or were just a few weeks removed from that point. Priorities defined and refined in April and July provided the blueprint. In the spring, headquarters concentrated on accelerating construction efforts at more sites, inaugurating the Northern Bombing Group program, commencing operations at additional stations, and moving the Killingholme initiative to completion. Additional objectives included beginning shipment of American-manufactured aircraft and motors, and focusing on the “1919” program and planned transformation /relocation of the command structure. During the summer, emphasis remained on moving unfinished bases to completion, placing additional stations in operation, implementing command realignment, and beginning NBG missions, shifting the offensive thrust away from the French coast and northward to Flanders and Killingholme.1 At Paris headquarters, the Operations Division headed by Thomas Craven oversaw implementation of plans finalized during the preceding winter. Frank McCrary directed affairs in Ireland, while John Callan guided efforts in Italy. The German assault on Paris in the spring of 1918 caused some staff to relocate temporarily to Pauillac, while the Allies politely declined the Navy’s offer to use its nonflying personnel on the Western Front. At Moutchic the flying school assumed a more efficient stance, offering comprehensive instruction in bombing, gunnery, aerial navigation, radio work, meteorology, and intelligence. Between April and June alone, 83 pilots completed coursework . Preparation of flight personnel at Army and Allied schools also gained speed. Eighteen pilots and observers received day bombing instruction at the AEF’s Clermont-Ferrand training center. After completing their course, three transferred to Dunkirk for work with the British to learn the duties of flight commanders. Others attended RAF day and night bombing schools at Stonehenge , Salisbury Plain, and Boscombe Down, and then joined squadrons near Dunkirk flying Handley Page machines. Ten ensigns trained at Avord-Cher, a French flight school. Many naval officers served with RAF coastal stations in England and Scotland, learning to pilot pontoon scouts and large flying boats. At Lake Bolsena, Italy, several dozen officers and enlisted aviators received seaplane instruction, while other contingents learned to fly Caproni bombers at Malpensa field near Milan. Better weather and arrival of more building supplies allowed construction at various stations to quicken. The Navy acquired two small coastal steamers, Mecknes and Bella, to deliver materiel. In late April, Hutch Cone claimed that naval facilities could accommodate 90 HS-1L aircraft and three dirigibles. He predicted the number would increase to 138 HS-1Ls and 68 H-16s by June 1, and then the entire allotted complement of aircraft and six dirigibles by July [44.206.248.122] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 05:57 GMT) Progress Report: March–September 1918 125 1 if necessary iron fittings for hangar construction arrived in a timely manner. Until American-manufactured aircraft reached Europe, however, the Navy remained dependent on French supplies, calling for 19 new seaplanes by...