Offensive Air Tactics in the First War

It would appear as if the most widespread and effective offensive strategy involved the use of observation and artillery-directing planes to maximize the destructive effects of artillery fire on enemy strongholds.

Ground-attack squadrons were also used to bomb and strafe enemy concentrations in a more direct ground support role.

Strategic bombing units were created and utilized in the first war, but their effects seem to have been minimal, at least by the standards of the next war.

While much has been written about WWI fighter pilots, I recall only vague references to the offensive strategies listed above in most books discussing the first air war.

Can anyone describe some of the more well- known / successful examples of bomber, artillery-directing or ground-attack units on either side, along with the men who were decorated for performing such actions?

William Barker was given the Italian star for valour, for dropping spies behind enemy lines very effectively.

[stephen]

I would argue that the Independent Air Force was successful from the standpoint that they carried the war into Germany. This caused (some) damage to the enemy, and at the same time caused a psychological impact on places previously untouched by a foreign conflict. IOW, it let the Germans know they were losing, combined with the dual advantage of tying up German reserve fighter units for home defense duties. I realize all this is arguable, but it seems to have been a sound and effective plan.

[cam]

Mark,

>Can anyone describe some of the more well- known >successful examples of bomber, artillery->directing or ground-attack units on either side,

Wrigley in "Battle Below" describes for 3 Sqn Australian Flying Corps;

"The month of March[1918] marked an important stage in the work of No.3 Sqdn AFC, which had by then reached a high standard. During the month more successful artillery work had been carried out, more photographs and photographs of better quality were taken, more trench reconnaissance were carried out, and more small arms ammunition was fired by low flying aircraft at ground targets than had been the cas ein any previous month. In addition No.3 Sqdn at this time held the pride of place in 2nd Wing, RFC for having reported the greatest number of zone calls and observed the greatest number of responses to zone calls sent down. This counter-battery work had, in fact, been particurely heavy and the air work in connection therewith resulted in a heavy programme of this work alone. .. when it is relised in February, not withstanding the weather conditions made it impossible to fly on ten days, 45 enemy artillery positions [reviously located were reported to be still active, enemy artillery was reported to be active in 23 new positions, and air observation of our artillery fire was carried out by squadron personnel in respect of 34 successful counter-battery shoots against enemy batteries previously located and still active, and 14 against active enemy batteries newly reported by the squadron. The figures for this month of march were 136 positions reported still active, 76 new active positions, 48 successful counter-battery shoots against previously located batteries, and 17 against newly located batteries."

As to awards, 3 Sqn AFC worked with Australian, British and American Corps. Members of the squadron not only recieved British decorations but also Belgian, French and an American medal went to Blake ( the CO ), a DSM. The American medal seems (my speculation) to be in appreciation from the US IInd Corps for the squadrons work with them. If the media didnt appreciate the Army Co-operation squadrons, then it seems the Army Corps on the ground did.



cam
AFC - http://members.nbci.com/pointcook/

[Barrett]

It's illustrative to study the German aviators presumably most valued by the high command. If awards of Pour le Merites are the standard, fighter pilots were far and away the most appreciated (about 60 of 80 aviation PlMs). Bomber commanders got 4 PlMs; observers 10 or so; Zep drivers 2 and front office (HQ) types 2. Most notable by their absence are Schlasta (ground attack) pilots, despite considerable time & effort devoted to that mission. I suspect that as in all air arms, it was easiest to count shootdowns and therefore to quantify damage to the enemy. Note that none of Germany's highest awards were presented for life saving.
OTOH, no Medals of Honor were awarded for aerial artillery observeration, and I don't think any of the air VCs were, either. Perhaps the Germans were more attuned to such roles, after all.

[cam]

>If awards of Pour le Merites are the
>standard, fighter pilots were far and away
>the most appreciated (about 60 of 80 aviation
>PlMs).


1 Sqn AFC ( Army Co-op F2b : Palestine). Their medal tally totaled 41;

1 X VC
1 X DSO
1 X OBE
18 X MC
20 X DFC
12 X MSM
2 X MM
39 X Mentioned in Dispatches

2 Sqn AFC (Fighter role DH5/SE5a). Their medal tally totaled 21;

8 X MC
8 X DFC
4 X MM
1 X MSM

which is a total of 16 Medals for the Officer ranks.

3 Sqn AFC (Army Co-op role RE8 and F2b), their medal tally totaled 25;

3 X MC
16 X DFC
5 X MSM
1 X OBE
9 X Mentioned in Dispatches

4 Sqn AFC ( Fighter role, Camels and Snipes ). Their medal tally totaled 17;

3 X DSO
10 X DFC
3 X MC
1 X MSM

Some of the things which could skew that sample, 1 Sqn AFC was in action for about a year longer than 2,3, or 4. 4 Sqn produced the most aces and the highest scoring aces, these were where two of 4 Sqn's DSO's came from. The third came from McClaughry's involvement in a a Wing operation IIRC so was awarded for a singular act too. Also Cobby alone had three DFC's. By the same token Ross Smith in 1 Sqn had three DFC's and two MC's!

1 Sqn as well as doing Army Co-op work were largely responsible for air supremacy in Palestine, so they knocked a lot of planes down as well, the brisfit over-achieved in that theatre.

From that small sample it appears that the fighter squadrons are more likely to get the higher awards such as the DSO but a smaller amount of the lower awards such as the MC and DFC. Most of the higher awards recognize singular acts of bravery or achievement which is the role that the Scout pilots were more often in. Were the MC and the DFC representative of achievment over a period or were they also for singular acts of achievement?

I would also be interested to know if anyone has similar breakdowns for RFC/RAF squadrons.

>Note that none of Germany's highest awards
>were presented for life saving.

Both 1 Sqn AFC's VC and DSO were for picking up a downed pilot from behind enemy lines while under fire.




cam
AFC - http://members.xoom.com/pointcook/

[Graeme]

Originally, the Military Cross was awarded for distinguished and meritorious services but this wording led to a number of awards being made for services behind the lines in circumstances that could not be regarded as under fire. On 1 January 1917 instructions were given to all commanders in the field that the DSO, MC and DCM should, as far as possible, be restricted to the "fighting services".

The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to officers for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. Its counterpart, for bravery while not under fire, was the Air Force Cross.

One problem with the award of "Medals" (as opposed to "Crosses") is that few were awarded with a citation in the London Gazette, making it difficult to distinguish groundcrew from aircrew. So, unless the recipient of an award was famous, ie an ace or mentioned by name in a Communique, the reason for the award is not always clear.

I'm working on a comprehensive database listing of awards to RFC, RNAS, RAF and AFC aircrew and to highlight the 'identification' problem, over 640 AFCs were awarded, but since these were awarded without citation, few have squadron details (most were awarded to personnel at training squadrons).

Another problem is that 'foreign' decorations were often received months (or even years) after the event for which they were awarded. The recipient would then be listed with his current rank, often making the award appear to have been for non-operational reasons. As an example, by the time Billy Bishop received his Croix de Guerre from the French he was a Lt-Col and had been away from the front for almost five months.

Still, keeps you busy on a cold night, doesn't it?

All the best for the new millennium.

Graeme

Graeme I would love a copy of your database of RFC/RAF awards. Are you going to sell it or will it be public domain? Let me know what format (SQL, DBASE whatever) and are you going to have it in.