The later stages of World War I developed into the bombing of towns, initially using airships for the offensive role, but since these machines were slow and not very manoeuvrable, they were sitting targets for anti*aircraft defences and defending fighters. This led to the use of bomber aircraft which were faster, manoeuvrable and with an acceptable radius of action to enable them to be used against towns and other civilian targets. The use of bombers against such targets led to the development of fighters to combat this menace, but since the bomber offensive against towns took place at night, the Allies became alerted to the requirements for fighters to be developed which were capable of being flown in combat at night.
The South of England and certain towns in France, in particular Abbeville, were being subjected to heavy night raids. It was then decided that a special Night Fighter Squadron should be formed and equipped with Sopwith Camel aircraft. This Squadron was to be formed in England, and when trained to operational standards, sent overseas to fight on the Western Front.
The first night operations of World War I are reported as being on September 3 1917 when, for the first time, two pilots of No 70 Squadron in France and three pilots from No 44 Squadron took off into the dark in an attempt to intercept enemy bombers. No contact with enemy aircraft was made but the action of taking off at night on minimal instruments, and landing in the dark with limited illumination of the landing area, established the feasibility and potential for defensive night operations. The aircraft used was the Sopwith Camel, and having established that this particular aircraft had potential, it was chosen as the aircraft to be introduced for the role of Night Fighter.
From September 3 1917 and into the late Spring of 1918, the Germans had become extremely active in night bombing operations. On the night of May 18/19 the ammunition dump at Compagne was destroyed by aerial bombardment with 1000 tons of shells going up, in what must have been a gigantic explosion. On the following night, a raid on Etaples Bridge was not successful but local hospitals were hit. No. 12 Ordnance Depot at Blarges and No. 20 Ordnance Depot at Saigonville were also hit.
In June 1918 the German bombers switched their activities to the bombing of airfields, and on two nights in July, sixty three attacks involving the dropping of 170 tons of bombs were made.
This rapid build up in night flying activities, which must have been very cost effective in terms of manpower, machines and the assault factor, was profitable to the Germans in terms of casualties inflicted and damage to the Allied defences. France appealed to the Allies for some form of night defence since anti-aircraft fire appeared to have little defensive effect against such attacks.
To meet this request from the French and also a similar request from the R.A.F. General Headquarters in France, the Allies formed the first Night Fighter Squadron at Hainault in Essex on June 12 1918, and equipped it with Sopwith Camel aircraft, which had proven potential as a suitable aircraft for this role.
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The formation of 151 Squadron was undertaken by the formation of three Flights taken from crews of Nos. 44, 78, and 112 Squadrons, which at the time were engaged on Home Defence duties in the United Kingdom.
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On the night of December 18 1917, he attacked and damaged a Gotha before he lost sight of it due to the flash from his guns which upset his night vision thus negating the re-sighting of the target. The Gotha crashed into the sea on its returning flight. This combat led to a rethink on gun positioning and sighting to ensure that gun flashes did not deteriorate night vision. Finally, twin Lewis guns were fitted on a special double Foster mounting above the centre section. The cockpit was moved further aft and the main fuel tanks brought further forward. The cut in the top mainplane was enlarged and, in some cases, cuts were made in the trailing edge of the bottom mainplane.
These modifications formed the basis of the Sopwith Camels which equipped 151 Squadron on its formation on June 12 1918.
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Another enemy aircraft fell to the guns of Capt Yuille’s aircraft. He intercepted a giant R.52 bomber near Talmes which had been sent out to attack Doublens and St Pol. After the attack the enemy aircraft went down in flames and crashed as a burning wreck.
This giant bomber was the first of its type to be shot down, a distinction for 151 Squadron.
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As well as defensive sorties being carried out, intruder operations behind enemy lines were also undertaken. On one occasion when aerodromes at Estree-en-Chause and Guizancourt were selected for attack, bombing with 20 lb bombs and strafing with machine guns was carried out. Enemy aircraft returning from bombing raids were also attacked when attempting to land. One machine was shot down by Capt Armstrong, and two others were certainly put out of action by Major Brand and Capt Cockerell, but confirmation could not be obtained.
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