Squadron Leader Owen Ellison obituary

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/squadron-leader-owen-ellison-obituary-r76x3z9k2

Bomber pilot renowned for his dance moves who successfully mined the Danube and later ran a popular hotel in Barbados

October 10 2018, 12:01am, The Times

• Defence
• Armed Forces
• Europe

Ellison flew 42 operational sorties during the war against targets across Europe

Owen Ellison was one of the last survivors of one of the RAF’s lesser-known but most successful campaigns of the Second World War: the mining of the River Danube between April and October 1944, which disrupted the supply of oil from Romania to Germany.

Flown at night from bases in central Italy, the RAF raids proved highly effective as sunken ships, barges and tugs paralysed the river. Sixteen British aircraft and their crews were lost.

Ellison, then a flying officer with 70 Squadron, was the pilot of a Vickers Wellington twin-engine bomber who had seen action in north Africa in support of the Eighth Army and would receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions over the Danube.

Flight Lieutenant Donald Briggs – obituary

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2018/07/30/flight-lieutenant-donald-briggs-obituary/



Briggs looking out of the cockpit of a Lancaster bomber

Flight Lieutenant Donald Briggs, who has died aged 93, had a flying career that spanned 64 years, which included more than 60 operations with Bomber Command’s Pathfinder Force and many years flying all three of the RAF’s V-bombers.

The eldest of five brothers, Donald Ward Briggs was born in North Yorkshire on May 7 1924 and educated at Whitby Grammar School. He joined the RAF as an aircraft apprentice a few days before the beginning of the Second World War.

He spent two years at RAF Halton qualifying as an engine fitter before serving on RAF flying units until he volunteered in December 1943 for the new aircrew trade of flight engineer. After a brief period of training he joined No 156 Squadron equipped with the Lancaster bomber. The unit was part of Bomber Command’s Pathfinder Force.

Squadron Leader Tony Farrell, pilot – obituary

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2018/07/23/squadron-leader-tony-farrell-pilot-obituary/

Tony Farrell's targets in his Mosquito included Hitler's Eagles Nest in Bavaria

Squadron Leader Tony Farrell, who has died aged 100, flew Mosquitos with Bomber Command’s Pathfinder Force and was awarded the DFC. In civilian life he was a flying instructor and amassed more than 16,000 flying hours.

Farrell joined 105 Squadron in July 1944, one of two squadrons equipped with the new radar bombing aid named “Oboe”. This allowed the Mosquito crew to “mark” the target with flares, which the main bomber force used as aiming points.

Lieutenant General Don Laubman, Spitfire pilot – obituary

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2018/07/22/lieutenant-general-don-laubman-spitfire-pilot-obituary/

Don Laubman: Following Operation Market Garden he destroyed eight enemy aircraft in three days, and was awarded the DFC 

Lieutenant General Don Laubman, who has died aged 96, was Canada’s most successful fighter pilot following the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6 1944. During the Cold War he commanded all Canadian forces in Europe.

Laubman flew Spitfires with No 412 (RCAF) Squadron. When his squadron deployed to a hastily prepared airstrip in Normandy on June 16, his only previous successes had been to damage an enemy fighter and share in the destruction of a Junkers 88 bomber over France.

On July 2 his squadron was on a dive-bombing sortie when it met a large force of Focke-Wulf 190 fighters south of Caen. He attacked one and set it on fire and watched the pilot bale out. Shortly after, he attacked a second and the aircraft blew up.

Geoffrey Wellum obituary - Youngest Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/squadron-leader-geoffrey-wellum-obituary-prswmxfsr

Youngest Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot whose bestselling war memoir was hailed as one of the most powerful and poignant ever written

Geoffrey Wellum in 2002

In the early 1970s Geoffrey Wellum was at a very low ebb. His business had failed, his marriage was coming to an end and he had recently lost his house. Dogged by despair, he began to write a memoir about his youth: “I just wanted to convince myself that at some point in my life I had been of use.”

In 1940, when he was 18, Wellum had, as the youngest Spitfire pilot in the RAF, flown in the Battle of Britain. He had been mad about aircraft as a boy and joined the service straight out of school. Having learnt to fly in Tiger Moths, he first went solo on September 1, 1939. Two days later Britain entered the war.

Wing Commander Tom Neil obituary

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/wing-commander-tom-neil-obituary-mtw75zvpd

Last-but-one Battle of Britain fighter ‘ace’ who downed 14 enemy aircraft, most of them when he was 19

Neil photographed by Cecil Beaton at RAF North Weald

The fighter pilot Tom Neil hated being called “Ginger”, but revelled in his other nickname, “Hawkeye”, bestowed for his unerring ability to sense the presence of enemy aircraft, identify the most vulnerable in a formation and move in ruthlessly.

This Week in History - The Battle of Britain (10 July)

https://ospreypublishing.com/thisweekhistory/

An extract from Aircraft of the Aces 18: Hurricane Aces 1939-40 celebrates the majority of the legendary ‘few’ and the Hawker Hurricane, the Royal Air force’s first monoplane fighter, the backbone of the desperate British defence against the Luftwaffe. In this extract two aces describe the bold but effective tactic they favoured for dealing with large bomber formations – 

Head on attacks

A great proponent of this method of attack was Flt Lt ‘Pete’ Brothers who, whilst serving as a flight commander firstly with No 32 Sqn and then No 257 Sqn, scored ten kills during the Battle of Britain;

‘The urgent thing was to get at the bombers before they dropped their bombs, and if you were short of the height you wanted to carry out a stern or beam attack, the best thing was to take them head-on and go straight through the formation. I always dived underneath the bombers short of impact because I always thought that the instinctive thing for pilots to do was pull up rather than push down when faced with collision, and the last thing I wanted was to meet a Dorner or Heinkel at close quarters. This manoeuvre also produced additional speed, thus enabling me to pull the Hurricane around once clear of the bombers and turn back into them again for a more conventional stern attack.

‘Head on shots were the easiest of the lot to perform because there was no deflection needed whatsoever. I would press home the attack until I thought a collision was almost inevitable. In many respects this was the best from of attack, as most bombers had less protection from both guns and armour at the front. It was often very difficult to confirm whether you had inflicted mortal damage to an aircraft after a single pass, however, as once you had turned back into the bombers the formation had often scattered in response to your initial assault. With a stern attack you would usually look to set an engine on fire, thus denoting some success for your endeavours.’ 

Another great proponent of the head-on attack was No 253 Sqn’s OC, Sqn Ldr G R ‘Gerry’ Edge, who had earlier perfected his technique with No 605 Sqn over the Dunkirk beaches whilst achieving ace status. Indeed, he got so proficient at tackling bombers as the summer months wore on that of the 11 kills (added to his 71/2 over France) he claimed between 7 and 15 September, no less than five of these were Ju 88s (four claimed on 9 September alone), four He 111s and one a solitary Do 17. In the following passage, he describes the intricacies of his favoured method of attack; 

‘If you left it till your last hundred yards to creak away from a head-on attack, you were in trouble. With practice, you got to judge when to break. But once you knew how, a head-on attack was a piece of cake. When you opened fire, you’d kill or badly wound the pilot and the second pilot. Then you’d rake the line of them as you broke away. On one attack, the first Heinkel I hit crashed into the next Heinkel. There was a lot of crashing between the bombers we attacked head-on.’

The German Offensive of 1918, 4

The German Offensive of 1918, 4

This week's chapter examines the Lys battle, the situation on April 12, 1918, the Germans enter Bailleul, British withdraw on the left, German accounts of the battle, defence and loss of Mount Kemmel, extent of the northern advance, continued fighting before Amiens, intervention of the American Army, air work, German comment, the Australians, "our backs to the wall", lessons of the Allied defeats, the Single Command under Foch, the Germans twice checked "There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man; there must be no retirement.With our backs to the wall, and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end."   Our backs to the wall The eyes of the world are turned towards the northern battle, where Sir Herbert Plumer is steadfastly endeavouring to stem the oncoming tide of the German legions https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/our-backs-to-the-wall-7pdgdt3xr?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter_118&utm_medium=email&utm_content=118_09.04.2018%20Offensive%20(1)&CMP=TNLEmail_118918_3301693_118 april 13, 1918 ‘Our backs to the wall’ In a special Order of the Day to all ranks of the British Army in France and Flanders Sir Douglas Haig says: “There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man; there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end. The safety of our homes and the freedom of mankind depend alike upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment.” These grave words reveal the nature of the crisis which is swiftly developing in France. Though meant to inspire our gallant troops, who are fighting desperately for every foot of ground against heavy odds, they must be taken to heart by every man and woman in these islands. “The conduct of each one of us,” both here and across the Atlantic, should be guided by the thought that the whole fortunes of the Allies are now at stake, and that no sacrifice can be too great, no effort too small, in the supreme task of giving help to the brave men who are battling day and night against the overwhelming German hordes. Sir Douglas Haig tersely declares that the objects of the enemy are “to separate us from the French, to take the Channel ports, and destroy the British Army”. Their leading divisions on the left centre of their battlefront are only forty miles from Calais, a situation without precedent since the war began. While guarding the northern gates, we have still to be prepared for the blow at Amiens and the line of the Somme estuary which may be attempted at any moment. For the present, however, the eyes of the world are turned towards the northern battle, where Sir Herbert Plumer is steadfastly endeavouring to stem the oncoming tide of the German legions. A glimpse of the desperate nature of the fighting is furnished by our Correspondent’s statement that, in opposing von Bernhardt’s troops on the River Lawe, the headquarters staff of two brigades plunged into the struggle with rifles, while one general led his orderlies into the fray. “Each one of us must fight on to the end,” says Sir Douglas Haig, and in this crisis that must be the motto of us all. Heavy though the onslaught of the enemy has been, we believe that our heroic soldiers, and the French hurrying to their aid, will yet save the day.

100 Years Ago - Zeebruegge, Red Baron and Villers-Bretonneux

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/the-german-tanks-kz939vcjd

April 26, 1918

The German tanks

The severe fighting in the Villers-Bretonneux area continued through the night. Yesterday morning, after a terrific bombardment lasting about four hours, the Germans attacked on a front of between four and five miles. The first attacks were beaten off, but later the enemy succeeded in forcing back the left of the British line and last evening saw them in possession of Villers-Bretonneux.
By noon today it appears to have been again in our hands. The attack which rewon the village was made by Australians, with some British battalions cooperating. Savage fighting went on in the streets and on the roads, and it is the kind of fighting at which one Australian is better than many Germans. We are closing in and reducing the last enemy nests in the village, and by evening I believe the original positions will be restored.

One interesting feature in this attack has been the first employment of the much-talked-of German Tanks. It is not known that more than five were engaged, but these assisted in the attack on Villers-Bretonneux. They came round on our positions in the village from south and west. Eye-witnesses say that they are bigger than ours, with large turrets. At least one passed clear over a trench held by men of the Middlesex Regiment, who fired at it with rifles and revolvers as it went. Four or five enemy Tanks fell in with two of ours, and the first engagement between land ironclads took place. One of our machines was crippled, when a third British Tank hove in sight and joined in the attack. The newcomer knocked out one of the enemy, and the rest appear to have made their escape. Elsewhere on the battlefield British light Tanks were engaged and did fine work, some of them coming back with sides splashed with blood, for, besides using their guns, they were able to ram the enemy, and managed in several cases to get into bunches of Germans.
Besides this severe fighting on the south of the British front, the Germans this morning began the long-expected renewal of their attacks in the Kemmel area. With other troops in reserve, they are in strength enough for very heavy fighting, but we have complete confidence in the French, who hold the most critical positions, and in the cooperation of the two Armies.

100 Years Ago

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/250-000-rounds-from-the-air-jgpscptz6

march 29, 1918

250,000 rounds from the air

Telegraphic dispatch from General Headquarters, France, March 28, 9.50pm: On the 27th inst low-flying was again carried out by large bodies of our aeroplanes, while our infantry machines continued reporting the position of our battle line. Over 30 tons of bombs were dropped, and a quarter of a million rounds of ammunition fired from a height that ensured accuracy on different targets. Severe casualties are known to have been inflicted on the enemy, and the bringing up of his troops and ammunition was delayed. Twenty-four German machines were brought down in air fighting, and seven others were driven down out of control. Two hostile observation balloons were also destroyed. Nineteen of our machines are at present missing, but a proportion of these are believed to have landed on our side of the line. Very heavy fire directed against our machines from the ground accounted for the greater portion of our casualties. During the night the bombing of Bapaume, Bray, and Peronne was continued with the utmost vigour. Over a thousand bombs were dropped, and thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired at targets which were plentiful and easy to see in the moonlight. Our pilots saw their bombs bursting in the middle of columns of troops and transport and on encampments. Four of the aeroplanes are missing. On the 27th inst the Sablon station at Metz was bombed. Well over a ton of bombs were dropped; good bursts were seen on the sidings and beside the railway. On the 28th instant our machines carried out a successful raid on the station at Luxemburg. Twenty-one heavy bombs were dropped, and several were seen to burst on the objectives. All our machines returned from both raids.

● Poison gas factory bombed French Air report, March 23-26: Our infantry aeroplanes, bombing and chasing crews, photographers and observers, distinguished themselves by their courage and endurance, both by day and night. Descending sometimes to a height of 60ft from the ground, our pilots attacked enemy contingents with their machine-guns and fired thousands of cartridges. On the night of March 23-24 one of our squadrons dropped 31 tons of explosives on the Badische Anilin factory of Ludwigshafen, the chief German factory for the production of poison gas.

100 Years Ago

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/more-hospital-ship-outrages-7z3k99bq3

march 15, 1918

More hospital ship outrages

German submarine commanders continue to attack British hospital ships, well knowing what they are doing. On February 26 the Glenart Castle was sunk in the Bristol Channel, with appalling loss of life. On Sunday an attack was made on the Guildford Castle, homeward bound with more than 400 wounded on board. She was “flying her Red Cross flags, and in addition had all her hospital lights on”.
The Guildford Castle, like the Rewa — sunk on January 4 — and the Glenart Castle, was attacked in the Bristol Channel, which is what is known as a “free area”. The Germans, in defiance of international law, have asserted their right to sink British hospital ships in the English Channel on the false ground that they were being used to transport troops and military supplies. But this presumptuous edict never applied to the Bristol Channel. When the Rewa was torpedoed early in January the Germans asserted that the engine of destruction must have been a mine, because, in the words of a semi-official statement which they issued, “in competent quarters it is regarded as impossible that the vessel could have been torpedoed by a submarine”. They attempted no such excuse in the case of the Glenart Castle, and the evidence that the Guildford Castle was attacked by torpedo before nightfall on Sunday is overwhelming.

Germany’s notice that she would sink hospital ships in the English Channel was a barbarous defiance of the law of nations. But she has broken the word she gave when she announced that resolution. There is only one reply to ruthlessness of this kind. German officer prisoners of high rank should be in each British hospital ship. In the Franco-Prussian War, when German troop trains in occupied French territory were wrecked frequently by unknown persons, the Germans seized prominent French citizens and put them on the engines of trains to prevent their being wrecked. This measure was effective. An adaptation of it to meet the latest development of German savagery is an obvious expedient and needs no justification.
● News in brief
Three German prisoners of war who escaped from Bramley Camp, Hampshire, have been recaptured.

100 Years Ago - Victoria Cross

AN ENEMY OBSERVATION BALLOON BROUGHT DOWN IN FLAMES.

PIPER JAMES RICHARDSON,

Late Manitoba Regt

MAJOR W. G. BARKER, R.A.F.

A "Q" SHIP,

Having a concealed gun in the collapsible boat between funnel and mast


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/vcs-for-machine-gun-exploits-xhd7ht82x?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter_118&utm_medium=email&utm_content=118_14.03.2018%20VCs7%20(1)&CMP=TNLEmail_118918_3042415_118

VCs for machine-gun exploits

After proceeding about 200 yards Piper Richardson remembered that he had left his pipes behind. Although strongly urged not to do so, he insisted on returning to recover his pipes. He has never been seen since

October 23, 1918

War Office, Oct 22. The King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the following Non-commissioned Officers, and Men.
No. 358 Sgt Thomas James Harris, MM, late RW Kent R (Lower Halling, Kent).
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack when the advance was much impeded by hostile machine-guns concealed in crops and shell-holes. Sgt Harris led his section against one of these, capturing it, and killing seven of the enemy. Later, on two successive occasions, he attacked single-handed two enemy machine guns which were causing heavy casualties and holding up the advance. He captured the first gun and killed the crew, but was himself killed when attacking the second one. It was largely due to the great courage and initiative of this gallant NCO that the advance of the battalion was continued without delay and undue casualties. Throughout the operations he showed a total disregard for his own personal safety, and set a magnificent example to all ranks.

No. 4/100 Sgt Samuel Forsyth, late NZ Engrs.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack.4 On nearing the objective his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through Sgt Forsyth’s dashing leadership and total disregard of danger three machine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before they could inflict many casualties on our troops. During the subsequent advance his company came under heavy fire from several machine-guns, two of which he located by a daring reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain support from a Tank he was wounded, but after having the wound bandaged he again got in touch with the Tank, which, in the face of very heavy fire from machine-guns and anti-Tank guns, he endeavoured to lead with magnificent coolness to a favourable position. The Tank, however, was put out of action. Sgt Forsyth then organized the Tank crew and several of his men into a section, and led them to a position where the machine-guns could be out-flanked. Always under heavy fire, he directed them into positions which brought about a retirement of the enemy machine-guns and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant NCO was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Sgt Forsyth’s courage and coolness, combined with great power of initiative, proved an invaluable incentive to all who were with him, and he undoubtedly saved many casualties among his comrades.

No. 51396 Cpl. (L/Sgt.) Edward Smith, DCM, Lan. Fus. (Maryport).
For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and personal example during an attack and in subsequent operations. Sgt Smith, while in command of a platoon, personally took a machine-gun post, rushing the garrison with his rifle and bayonet. The enemy, on seeing him advance, scattered to throw hand-grenades at him. Regardless of all danger, and, almost without halting in his rush on the post, this NCO shot and killed at least six of the enemy. Later, seeing another platoon requiring assistance, he led his men to them, took command of the situation, and captured the objective. During the enemy counter-attack on the following day he led a section forward and restored a portion of the line. His personal bravery, skill, and initiative were outstanding, and his conduct throughout exemplified magnificent courage and skill, and was an inspiring example to all.
No. 40684 Pte. (A./Sat.) Harold John Coley, MM, Late Lan Fus (Smethwlck).
For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when in command of a platoon in support of forward platoons which had been ordered to hold on at all costs. When the enemy counter-attacked in force, he rushed forward on his own initiative to help the forward line, rallying and controlling the men holding it. The enemy by this time were advancing quickly, and had already obtained a footing in the trench. Sgt Coley then formed a defensive flank and held it. Out of the two platoons only three men remained unwounded, and he himself was dangerously wounded. It was entirely due to Sgt Colley’s action that the enemy were prevented from breaking through, and were eventually driven off. His courage and tenacity saved a very critical situation.
No. 2S930 Pte. (Piper) James Richardson, late Manitoba R.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, prior to attack, he obtained permission from his Commanding Officer to play his company - “over the top”. As the company approached the objective, it was held up by very strong wire, and came under intense fire, which caused heavy casualties and demoralized the formation for the moment. Realizing the situation, Piper Richardson strode up and down outside the wire, playing his pipes with the greatest coolness. The effect was instantaneous. Inspired by his splendid example the company rushed the wire with such fury and determination that the obstacle was overcome and the position captured. Later, after participating in bombing operations he was detailed to take back a wounded comrade and prisoners. After proceeding about 200 yards Piper Richardson remembered that he had left his pipes behind. Although strongly urged not to do so, he insisted on returning to recover his pipes. He has never been seen since, and death has been presumed accordingly owing to lapse of time.

100 Years Ago

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-19/register/german-attack-imminent-0ms6r99rn

FEBRUARY 19, 1918

German attack “imminent”

War correspondents’ headquarters. The German offensive is now undoubtedly very near. Evidence accumulates daily, especially convincing being the statements of prisoners taken recently. The German army firmly believes the event to be immediately impending.
An immense amount of training for the attack has been going on. Of that we have been assured by our airmen. To escape observation, much of the training is being done in remoter areas. Troops must be brought up at the last moment and largely during the night before. So they are being trained to make long marches of perhaps 20 miles to the hypothetical scene of action.
So far as our front is concerned, especial attention is being given to sectors between Arras and St Quentin. The training is largely in the nature of open fighting, for the Germans seem to count on breaking our lines and getting the warfare into the open country behind, in which they are going to be aided by the use of gas, tanks and trench mortars. There will probably be no obliterating bombardment such as has preceded most of our great attacks, but in the days before the assaultcounter-battery shooting, both with gas and high-explosive shells, and long spells of destructive fire on trenches, communications, billets, and so forth. Immediately before the attack there will be only a short burst of fire, behind which men are to come over in one grand rush, while immense numbers of mobile guns and trench mortars will push up behind the supporting troops.

Having just returned to the front, I would like to mention that people, especially women, at home seem to be writing to their men out here absurdly exaggerated stories of the hardships of queueing, and of the inadequate supplies of butter and margarine. Of course, it is nice to make interesting letters, and women are not exempt from the human love of exaggeration. But it is very unkind to the men. I am sure that if the women were really suffering they would conceal it from their men. It is only because it is the first inconvenience from the war that people at home make too much of it. But it is neither kind nor wise, for telling men depressing things cannot make them better soldiers, and the men out here are entitled to all the cheery news they can get.

100 Years Ago - Franchise Reform and Red Terror

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-07/register/the-red-guard-terror-x7j9mz0fk

February 7, 1918

The red guard terror

The Russian Soviet Congress has come to an end after nine sittings. It began with 600 members and closed with over 900 resolutions and laws. Not more than 12 minutes were devoted to the fundamental laws which are intended to open up a new epoch in the world’s history. Some of the statutes were so badly drawn up that it was impossible to understand them. There was, as usual, great enthusiasm and frequent singing of the Internationale and Marseillaise. The proceedings were brought to a close by Lenin, who spoke of a revolution in Berlin and of political strikes all over Germany. He said that the latest events in Western Europe indicated the beginning of a new epoch in universal history. More revolutionary music and singing followed, and he sat down amidst thunderous applause.

The conditions of life here are nerve-racking in the extreme, and almost intolerable. The new agents of the Bolshevist Executive and the Red Guards are more feared than the gendarmes and police of the old autocracy. Everybody is in dread of arrest, searches, and the confiscation of money, jewelry, and paper securities by government commissaries, who refuse to admit any diplomatic intervention for the protection of the belongings of foreign subjects. Domiciliary arrests and searches for documents or food are carried out by parties of youths with rifles, men of the Militia, sailors, soldiers, and proletarians. The rough-and-ready character of the new Revolutionary-Socialistic methods renders it difficult to distinguish between genuine “Red Guards” and ordinary robbers. When the latter are caught their captors are often equally rough-and-ready. A few nights ago burglars were discovered in the English Magazine Company’s shop in the Nevsky Prospect, when one of them jumped out of a first-floor window and was caught by militiamen, who promptly dispatched him and threw his body into the nearest canal.
We cannot get cheques cashed for current living expenses. All loans are to be annulled, and a project is under discussion to destroy all shares. It is difficult to believe that such robbery can be legalized. Poor English governesses and tutors are running about trying to persuade kind friends to take care of their small savings or to have them sent to England.

100 Years Ago - Winter of 1917-18 in the West

REMOVING A GERMAN SCOUTING MACHINE BROUGHT DOWN IN OUR LINES

A ERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY: HANDING PLATE SLIDES TO A PHOTOGRAPHER

IN A BOMBING MACHINE

STUCK IN THE MOD

A SENTRY ON DUTY IN THE FRONT LINE


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/big-night-and-day-attacks-k8lt33jc9?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter_118&utm_medium=email&utm_content=118_January%2031,%202018&CMP=TNLEmail_118918_2854477_118

Big night and day attacks

A hostile aerodrome north of Douai, a large ammunition dump near Courtrai, a railway station south-east of Douai, and the enemy’s billets on various parts of the front were bombed by us during the day

February 20, 1918

The following telegraphic dispatch has been received from General Headquarters in France: On the 18th inst the weather was very fine, but visibility was not so good as on preceding days. This did not prevent our aeroplanes from carrying out much useful work in conjunction with the artillery, and taking many photographs in the enemy’s forward and back areas.
A hostile aerodrome north of Douai, a large ammunition dump near Courtrai, a railway station south-east of Douai, and the enemy’s billets on various parts of the front were bombed by us during the day. Continuous fighting took place, resulting in 11 hostile machines being brought down and six others driven down out of control. Two of our aeroplanes are missing.
At night a thick mist set in, but our machines, nevertheless, succeeded in making several short trips behind the enemy’s lines, and dropped bombs on hostile billets and railway stations.

Following on the successful daylight raids on the 18th inst. against Treves and Thionville, our night-flying squadrons went out after dark and again attacked these towns from a low height with equally good results. Five bursts were observed on Treves station, which broke into flames. Three other buildings were alight when our machines left.
In the second raid on Thionville, bursts were seen on the railway and in the gasworks. A large fire was started which was visible to the pilots attacking Treves. German aircraft and anti-aircraft guns were very active during both raids. One of our machines failed to return.

On the 19th inst. another raid in broad daylight, making the third within 36 hours, was carried out by us against Treves. On this occasion well over a ton of bombs were dropped on the objective. Eleven bursts were observed on the railway station and six on buildings in close proximity to it. Three good fires were started. Our machines were repeatedly attacked by hostile scouts, which were driven off. Anti-aircraft gunfire also was considerable. One of our machines is so far unaccounted for.

100 Years Ago - Air Bombardment, Bolsheviks and Ukraine

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-01-27/register/m-lenins-policy-class-against-class-m27gql6gf

january 27, 1918

M Lenin’s policy. Class against class

Petrograd, Jan 24. The third All-Russian Congress of Workmen’s and Peasants’ delegates opened here yesterday. Addressing the foreign delegates, M Trotsky said: “Many efforts and much energy are needed to conquer the capitalist hegemony of Europe, where capital has dominated for generations not only the bourgeois class but that of the workmen also. As regards the struggle against the ancient systems of Europe and America, we have no need to be pessimistic. Our foreign comrades are the precursors of a general and invincible revolt. The movement is slow but sure.
“The delegates coming from the countries of the old time Parliamentarism make no protest against the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly. Universal suffrage is out of date. The dictatorship of the proletariat alone will save the country.”

M Lenin, speaking at the Congress of Soviets today, said all Socialists recognized that there must be a transition period between capitalism and Socialism. This transition period was a dictatorship, and proletariat and Soviet authority entered by the road of that dictatorship.
“We stand [he said] for class violence against other classes, and we are unperturbed by the wails of those who are disconcerted by the sight of this violence. It is mere prejudice to think that the simple workman and the simple peasant cannot rule the country.”
The Commissioner of Justice, in an interview, said the imprisoned members of the late Provisional Government would not be brought to trial. They were imprisoned because they constituted a kind of political symbol around which the elements which were discontented with the present Government might collect. They would be released as soon as the existing authority was consolidated. “Our chief enemies,” he said, “are not the Cadets. Our most irreconcilable opponents are the Moderate Socialists. This explains the arrests of Socialists and the closing down of Socialist newspapers. Such measures of repression, however, are temporary. As soon as the acuteness of the moment has passed all the arrested persons can be released. This applies also to the arrested members of the Union for the Defence of the Constituent Assembly.”

IWM (7) - more machines