Air War 1914-18 Calendar [February].

**Nightbomber** · 02-11-2012 05:12

As promised in my January thread, here is the second part of my so called Calendar.
I have decided to briefly note what happened in Februaries 1915-18. Below are some events which I found interesting. It's not a complete set of important events like claims or deaths of pilots, of course

1915:

This month:
French aircraft are being equipped by first Doran type bomb dative.
First few Vickers FB 5 (Fighter Biplane No 5) Gunbus are sent to RFC squadrons in France. First squadron fully equiped with Gunbuses will reach operational status not earlier than on 25th of July.

15th A Russian bomber, Ilya Muromiets (indivudual code: „Kyiovsky”), the first 4-engine warplane, starting from Jablonna (near Warsaw) performs 3 bombing raids on East Prussia for the very first time, dropping 272 kg of bomb load. German scouts follow the bomber heading for home and find the Russian aerodrome which is bombed very soon afterwards.
17th Two zeppelins, L3 and L4 heading for Britain crash on Jutland coast. Crews are interned by the Danish.

1916:

This month:
24th squadron commanded by major Lanoe Hawker is being equipped by DH 2 scouts, armed with Lewis machine gun.

18th 10 Caproni Ca-1 bombers heading for Lublana are intercepted by 2 austro-hungarian Fokkers EI (Austrian code: A III) over Aisovizza. Captains Kostrba and Bernath damaged one of the bombers forcing it to land near fortress of Palmanouva. Returnig bombers are attacked by 3 Fokkers that shoot down one of the Caproni.
21st While German Army storms fortress of Verdun, 4 zeppelins are sent for a reconnaissance mission. LZ 88 damaged by French archie is forced to return and lands in Maubeuge. LZ 77 is hit and burns over Revigny. LZ 95 is damaged by archie and crashes during landing near Namur. Only SL7 returns safely to base with some valuable information.

1917:

This month:

New zeppelin L42 type with maximum altitude 6.600 meters entered service.

1918:

This month:

Escadrille Lafayette is disbanded. American 103rd Aero Squadron is formed.

5th First American pilot, Lt. Thompson shot down a German plane over France.
15th A French nightfighter flying over a German aerodrome sent a Morse's landing message (previously noticed by reconnaissance planes) deceiving the ground crew that immediately turns on the aerodrome lighting. The French pilot dropped 6 bombs, killing the aerodrome commander. From that date German aerodromes are not lit at nights.
16th For the first time in history of aerial warfare a 1.000 kg bomb is dropped from a plane (A german Staaken R.IV bomber, tactical number R.39). The bomb hit a hospital in Chelsea.

**alpine** · 02-11-2012 09:39

Great info Andrzej! Thanks for putting it all together.

**gully_raker** · 02-11-2012 16:24

Great Work, my friend!

Most interesting details!

**Dwarflord22** · 02-11-2012 19:06

Very interesting post!

**Oberst Hajj** · 02-11-2012 23:03

Another interesting read. I love the one about getting the Germans to turn on the lights!

**Doug** · 02-12-2012 00:33

Very usefull information, especialy about the DH2 and the Vickers gunbus comming on line at nearly the same time.

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 02-12-2012 02:08

These snapshots of every day information are very interesting Andrzej. Don't be suprised if one or two of them appear in future letters from Nigel Bouncer-Smythe at Bentangles aerodrome. He has been quiet for far too long.
Rob.