January 17, 1918
Opportunities in the Air Service
Brigadier-General J G Hearson, DSO, RE, General Officer commanding the Training Division of the RFC, addressed the students of the Aeronautical Section at East London College yesterday. At present, he said, the Air Service was small compared with the Army and Navy, but it had grown and was going to grow beyond imagination. This was not only growth in numbers, but growth in power. Aeroplanes had developed in speed in the last three years from 60 miles an hour to the present machines, which could go at 110 miles, and the power of bombs had increased in the same proportion. Accuracy of machine-gun fire and manoeuvring in the air had developed to such an extent that one could not compare the present day with the past of only yesterday, and the development in the near future was going to be just as astonishing.
Some people thought that “the larger the show” the less important the individual. Never was there so great a fallacy as in the Air Service. The opportunity to an individual of making his way was almost boundless. How had the great pilots of the war made their names? Not by luck, but by sheer hard work. The pilot who did not know the details of his work was asking for trouble. He might miss a priceless opportunity and throw away his life for the same reason. “I went on active service as a pilot with only 13½ hours’ flying experience and an education on the ground which was the result of asking questions,” said Brigadier-General Hearson. “Many of those questions were answered wrongly, and many were not answered at all.” He congratulated his audience on the splendid facilities at their disposal. Flying officers felt new things which infantry and gunnery officers never saw. They saw the whole of the battle, and even had conversations with generals. (Laughter.) Infantry and gunnery officers were in their own little bit of line, and their interests were local compared with their flying comrades. Flying officers lived in comparative luxury behind the lines, and not under shell fire while on the ground. They always had a good mess and a bed, and generally speaking were not in danger except when flying. “You in the Air Service have tremendous opportunities in the finest service of the future.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-third-attack-on-yarmouth-jfqxsq9fc
JANUARY 16, 1918https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-third-attack-on-yarmouth-jfqxsq9fc
The third attack on Yarmouth
Yarmouth, which was bombarded in November, 1914, and again at Easter, 1916, was made the target of enemy guns for the third time last night. It is not known whether a destroyer or a submarine made this last attack, which opened at 11 o’clock when a star shell lit up the town. A fusillade of shells followed, and swept the town for about five minutes, after which the raider vanished. Many of the inhabitants were in bed, and others were at supper, while some were making their way home from picture theatres. One person was killed and another severely wounded in one house by a bursting shell. A man and his wife are two other victims, and a sailor was killed on board a steamer in the harbour. Some persons were severely, and others slightly, injured. A doctor’s house was badly knocked about, while concussion from exploding shells caused other damage. Houses were filled with brickwork, stoves were blown out, doors wrenched from their hinges, and much window glass was broken. Many persons had remarkable escapes. One room was wrecked, but the child sleeping in a cot escaped without a scratch. The damage had been done before people realized what was happening. The inquest will be held tomorrow.
• From our naval correspondent. The accounts of the British raid on Karlsruhe and the German raid on Yarmouth contain instructive points of contrast. The former was presumably a reprisal, as the bombardment of Whitehaven by a submarine in August, 1915, was said to be a reprisal for the shelling of a Turkish troop train by a British submarine in the Sea of Marmara. But in every other sense, what a difference! The British airmen attacked in broad daylight, their targets railway junctions, munition works, and other establishments, all of military value. They also waited after the job was done in order to obtain photographic confirmation of the destruction. The place they attacked was defended both by anti-aircraft armament and aeroplanes. Compare this with the attack on Yarmouth. It occurred on one of the darkest nights of the winter, and the raider hurried off after he had thrown a few shells into the town. No damage could have been done which is likely to have any influence on the progress of the war. This business was pure devilry.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/manpower-and-the-new-call-qjnqnh5gx
january 15, 1918
How can the reinforcements be obtained? Sir Auckland Geddes declared that the Government were “determined that carelessness with regard to human life, and thoughtlessness with regard to casualties, shall be stamped out wherever it appears”. The statement had no application to individuals, but it emphasized a principle which must govern our future strategy, in view of the fact that our remaining resources are not unlimited. The British nations have already provided 7,500,000 men for the armed forces. The achievement is gigantic, and we are entitled to be proud of it, but now that the enemy are swarming westward it is not enough. More men must be called to the colours if those who have laid down their lives are not to have died in vain. The object of the Director of National Service is to raise from 420,000 to 450,000 men from among those remaining in civil life.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/manpower-and-the-new-call-qjnqnh5gx
january 15, 1918
Manpower and the new call
Sir Auckland Geddes yesterday laid bare to the House of Commons and the nation the present position of the problem of manpower. The distance which still separates us from victory was disclosed by Sir Auckland in a series of startling statements. He estimates that owing to the withdrawal of Russia from the war the Germans can probably transfer 950,000 men to the Western front. If we add the possible transfer of Austro-Hungarian forces, we are confronted with an increase of “a potential enemy strength” on the Belgian, French, and Italian fronts, of 1,600,000 men. The prospect is serious, but by no means desperate if the necessary measures are taken.How can the reinforcements be obtained? Sir Auckland Geddes declared that the Government were “determined that carelessness with regard to human life, and thoughtlessness with regard to casualties, shall be stamped out wherever it appears”. The statement had no application to individuals, but it emphasized a principle which must govern our future strategy, in view of the fact that our remaining resources are not unlimited. The British nations have already provided 7,500,000 men for the armed forces. The achievement is gigantic, and we are entitled to be proud of it, but now that the enemy are swarming westward it is not enough. More men must be called to the colours if those who have laid down their lives are not to have died in vain. The object of the Director of National Service is to raise from 420,000 to 450,000 men from among those remaining in civil life.
The Government have decided not to lower the military age, nor will they raise it above the present approximate limit of forty-three years. Boys cannot stand the strain of field service, and the yield obtained by raising the age to fifty would be very small. The one great reservoir still remaining to us consists of the very large number of young men engaged in war industries or in industries associated with the production of war material. The new Bill gives the Director of National Service power to withdraw any certificates of exemption at present held on occupational grounds. A million men hold these certificates. The chief object is to bring into military service fit young men who have hitherto escaped.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russia-under-the-revolution-5t223j660
Most of those killed were members of the committee which held an inquiry in 1912 under the old regime into the rebellious sailors’ “revolutionary union”, which resulted in the conviction of 17, the execution of many, and the exile of the rest. Although the affair was hushed up at the time, the incident was brought up against them now, and they are held to have merited death. The majority of the murdered officers of higher rank were experienced sailors. All the officers in one ship were taken to the Malakoff Tower, famous in history, and there shot. According to reports which have gained credence here, the number killed is considerably greater than is stated above.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-01-12/register/free-bigamy-for-heroes-j5lh8wz3p
Sir, I take the following extract from an evening newspaper: “Our rulers left us without an army and we were defenceless in face of one of the most formidable foes in the world — those men who voluntarily joined up with Lord Kitchener’s Army I think a band of heroes. They immortalized themselves in the history of the country, and I shall always treat them as such in dealing with cases of this kind when they come before me.” The remark was made by the Recorder at the Old Bailey yesterday in releasing a wounded soldier who had pleaded guilty to bigamy.
The doctrine of free bigamy for heroes would not, perhaps, be consistently maintained if the speaker’s own daughter were victimized. Let us hope that the report does the Recorder less than justice. I am, &c, monogamist.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russia-under-the-revolution-5t223j660
january 13, 1918
Russia under the revolution
The horrors of Kronstadt have been re-enacted at Sebastopol, which has witnessed two days’ butchery of the naval officers by sailors of the Bolshevist camp. Sixty officers are reported to have been killed, the list containing the names of four admirals and one general, the rest of the victims being lieutenants and lower ranks.Most of those killed were members of the committee which held an inquiry in 1912 under the old regime into the rebellious sailors’ “revolutionary union”, which resulted in the conviction of 17, the execution of many, and the exile of the rest. Although the affair was hushed up at the time, the incident was brought up against them now, and they are held to have merited death. The majority of the murdered officers of higher rank were experienced sailors. All the officers in one ship were taken to the Malakoff Tower, famous in history, and there shot. According to reports which have gained credence here, the number killed is considerably greater than is stated above.
The population of Sebastopol is in a very nervous and excited state. Admiral Nemetz, commanding the Black Sea Fleet, has resigned.
Petrograd in darkness
(From our correspondent) I am writing this message by the light of one candle, which the waiter warned me would cost two roubles 50 (5 shillings normal exchange). The gloom of the hotel corridors is intensified by lamps the size of nightlights placed at awkward turns and corners. Outside it is 20 degrees below zero, and inside one feels that the temperature is about the same. At 10 o’clock last night the electric light was turned off, and since then, excepting five hours’ daylight, we have been in darkness. Many parts of the city are in the same condition owing to the exhaustion of fuel. Bread has been unobtainable in the restaurants for several days, while the ration of ¾lb every two days ran short in some districts. The price of provisions is rising daily. Potatoes are selling at 90 kopecks a lb (normally about 1s 9d), a rise of 40 kopecks since Saturday. Buckwheat is scarce, and candles are almost unprocurable. The condition of the railways gives no hope of sufficient provisions arriving, even if the peasants were willing to part with their produce, which they are not.
Petrograd in darkness
(From our correspondent) I am writing this message by the light of one candle, which the waiter warned me would cost two roubles 50 (5 shillings normal exchange). The gloom of the hotel corridors is intensified by lamps the size of nightlights placed at awkward turns and corners. Outside it is 20 degrees below zero, and inside one feels that the temperature is about the same. At 10 o’clock last night the electric light was turned off, and since then, excepting five hours’ daylight, we have been in darkness. Many parts of the city are in the same condition owing to the exhaustion of fuel. Bread has been unobtainable in the restaurants for several days, while the ration of ¾lb every two days ran short in some districts. The price of provisions is rising daily. Potatoes are selling at 90 kopecks a lb (normally about 1s 9d), a rise of 40 kopecks since Saturday. Buckwheat is scarce, and candles are almost unprocurable. The condition of the railways gives no hope of sufficient provisions arriving, even if the peasants were willing to part with their produce, which they are not.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-01-12/register/free-bigamy-for-heroes-j5lh8wz3p
january 12, 1918
‘Free bigamy for heroes’
To the Editor of The TimesSir, I take the following extract from an evening newspaper: “Our rulers left us without an army and we were defenceless in face of one of the most formidable foes in the world — those men who voluntarily joined up with Lord Kitchener’s Army I think a band of heroes. They immortalized themselves in the history of the country, and I shall always treat them as such in dealing with cases of this kind when they come before me.” The remark was made by the Recorder at the Old Bailey yesterday in releasing a wounded soldier who had pleaded guilty to bigamy.
The doctrine of free bigamy for heroes would not, perhaps, be consistently maintained if the speaker’s own daughter were victimized. Let us hope that the report does the Recorder less than justice. I am, &c, monogamist.
● The report in The Times, though less circumstantial, does not contradict our correspondent’s quotation.
To the Editor of The Times Sir, A propos the letter from Mr J B Capper in our paper of the 9th inst, re war marriages, may I point out that it is not necessary to await the slow movement of the overseas post before ascertaining whether or not an overseas soldier is a married man. A complete record of each man is on file at the headquarters of the contingent with which he enlisted. Not only would parents be wise in making inquiry at such headquarters where the happiness of their daughters is involved, but it would save many a girl a humiliating heartache if at least that much trouble were taken to investigate the antecedents of the man who proposes either courtship or marriage.
I have had five such inquiries referred to me within the last six months, and in all five cases the man involved proved to be married. Yours, &c, overseas.
● A hairdresser was fined £10 at Canterbury for repeating to the wife of a staff officer, whilst she was having her hair shampooed, statements reflecting on the conduct of the British troops at Salonika.
To the Editor of The Times Sir, A propos the letter from Mr J B Capper in our paper of the 9th inst, re war marriages, may I point out that it is not necessary to await the slow movement of the overseas post before ascertaining whether or not an overseas soldier is a married man. A complete record of each man is on file at the headquarters of the contingent with which he enlisted. Not only would parents be wise in making inquiry at such headquarters where the happiness of their daughters is involved, but it would save many a girl a humiliating heartache if at least that much trouble were taken to investigate the antecedents of the man who proposes either courtship or marriage.
● A hairdresser was fined £10 at Canterbury for repeating to the wife of a staff officer, whilst she was having her hair shampooed, statements reflecting on the conduct of the British troops at Salonika.
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