British Military Aviation in 1917 - Part 3

Part 2

11 August
Canadian fighter ace William Avery Bishop is awarded the Victoria Cross for his conduct during a raid on a German airfield.

17 August
The Cabinet Committee Report on Air Organisation (the Smuts Report) is presented to the War Cabinet. It recommends the creation of an Air Ministry "to control and administer all matters in connection with air warfare of every kind and that the new ministry should proceed to work out the arrangements for the amalgamation of the two [Air] services and for the legal constitution and discipline of the new Service".

The Report states "the day may not be far off when aerial operations with their devastation of enemy lands and destruction of industrial and populous centres on a vast scale may become the principal operations of war, to which the older forms of military and naval operations may become secondary and subordinate". The Smuts Report lays foundations for the creation of the Royal Air Force.

22 August
The last daylight raid on Britain of the First World War is focused on the coastal port of Ramsgate. Several Gotha bombers are lost, with three shot down, one by Flight Sub-Lieutenant J.Drake of the Royal Naval Air Service, and two others by anti-aircraft gunfire.

September
A 'Balloon Apron' is installed around London and separate zones are established within which anti-aircraft guns and aircraft are to operate.

September
Air fighting schools are established in Britain.

2-3 September
German Gotha bombers target Dover in the first heavy night bombing raid on Britain.

3-4 September
Home-based single-seat scout aircraft operate at night for the first time, when three Sopwith Camels of No.44 Squadron fly patrols against Gotha bombers attacking Chatham. Although no interceptions are made, the sorties proved that single-seat fighters could operate safely at night.

5 September
A Royal Naval Air Service Airco (de Havilland) DH4 is forced to ditch in the North Sea following an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down Zeppelin LZ 93 (L44). The airship is eventually brought down by anti-aircraft fire over France on 20 October.

29 September
A night bombing raid on balloon shed near Quiery-la-Motte is undertaken by two Royal Naval Air Service Sopwith Camels.

1 October
The General Officer Commanding of the Royal Flying Corps in France is informed that enemy raids on England are interrupting munitions production and is tasked to undertake immediate action against German objectives that could be reached from Nancy.

In response, the 41st Wing is formed to undertake independent bombing operations against targets inside Germany.

2 October
Three Sopwith Pups make a low-level night bombing raid on German airfields at Kruishoutem and Waregem.

11 October
The 41st Wing of the Royal Flying Corps is formed at Ainville-sur-Madon under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C.L.N. Newall, with the task of bombing industrial targets in Germany. The Wing is equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory FE2bs, de Havilland DH4s and Handley Page 0/400s.

November
The Air Force (Constitution) Bill, 1917, is submitted to Parliament.

November
Following the disastrous defeat suffered by the Italian Army at Caporetto in October 1917, two British Divisions are despatched to Italy to assist the Italians. This force is supported by VII Brigade of the Royal Flying Corps, (14th and 51st Wings), consisting of No.34 and No.42 Squadrons (Royal Aircraft Factory RE8s) and Nos. 28, 45 and 66 Squadrons (Sopwith Camels).

9 November
Royal Flying Corps attacks on the main ammunition dump and railhead of the Turkish 8th Army at El Tine in Gaza causes widespread panic amongst the Turkish troops. Their German commander, Von Kressenstein, said, "This did more to break the heart of the 8th Army and to diminish its fighting strength than all the hard fighting that had gone before."

20 November
The opening day of the Battle of Cambrai. During the battle, Royal Flying Corps aircraft conduct low level attacks on anti-tank guns, troop concentrations and strongpoints, paving the way for advancing British tanks and infantry. The German Air Service also conducts low flying attacks against British troops.

29 November
The first operational sorties are flown by the Royal Flying Corps in Italy. Royal Aircraft Factory RE8s from No.34 Squadron undertake a photographic reconnaissance of the Montello front, escorted by the Sopwith Camels of No.28 Squadron.

29 November
The Air Force (Constitution) Bill receives Royal Assent.

7 December
The United States of America declares war on Austria-Hungary.

Part 2