Additional information
by Naval Staff Operations Division (Compiled by)
The entire text of the R.N.A.S. OPERATIONS REPORTS from November 1915 To March 1918 are presented in this massive three volume set. These 53 OPERATIONS REPORTS were produced for internal consumption and provide a comprehensive coverage of observation and bombing sorties, damage inflicted and incurred in clashes with the enemy, intelligence gathered, aircrew are frequently mentioned by name.
In addition to seaplanes, carrier-borne aircraft, and other aircraft with a legitimate "naval" application, the R.N.A.S. also maintained several crack fighter squadrons on the Western Front, as well as allocating scarce resources to an independent strategic bombing force at a time when such operations were highly speculative.
During it's existence the R.N.A.S. had bases and stations in the UK, France, The Eastern Mediterranean, Durban, Otranto, Malta and Mombassa.
The information in this huge three volume set is an absolute gold mine of facts, packed with revealing detail for Great War aviation historians, medal collectors and researchers.
Flight Sub-Lieut. Fox, Killingholme Air Station, in a Sopwith Baby seaplane, proceeded in chase of a Zeppelin reported to be about 35 miles east of Spurn, He sighted the airship, and rising to 11,000 feet passed over it, dropping four 16-lb. bombs in succession and two boxes of Rauken darts.
Hostile Aircraft.--Eighteen aeroplanes of the First Brigade taking photographs in the rear of the enemy's lines encountered 19 hostile machines. As the result of the fight three hostile machines were destroyed, three driven down damaged, and one driven down under control. The hostile formation was broken up, and the photographic machines completed their work.
Lieutenant Musgrave and Corporal Jex, No. 45 Squadron, drove down a two-seater out of control, and Lieutenants Charlwood and Selby of the same squadron drove down another enemy machine out of control.
Flight Sub-Lieut. Burt was obliged to land near the wrecked seaplane owing to his pressure failing. The Camel sank, and he swam about 400 yards from the wrecked enemy seaplane and was picked up by one of our destroyers.
Pembroke.--Airship C. 3 carried out a patrol to Coningbeg between 0915 and 1715, during which an oil patch was sighted and bombed 5 miles south-west of St. Ann's Head at 1545. Oil rose to the surface after the first bomb was dropped; this was observed to increase after the second bomb had exploded.
Flight Commander Price on wireless patrol attacked an Albatross Scout. Enemy aircraft went down in an almost vertical dive, and the Camel followed it for some way, but was not able to keep up with the enemy aircraft. This combat is confirmed by anti-aircraft battery.
