RFC Wireless Control of Field Batteries Note Book

[Ice Tiger]

Your help please

A friend purchased an "Army Book 136" at a boot sale and on the front cover is written:

FLIGHT SERGT

L.A.PARKER

-No 3 SQUADRON -

ROYAL FLYING CORPS

Inside are these hand written notes:

New System of Wireless Control

Sir.

Having had long experience of Battery wireless ???? Wireless Station work, it has often been brought home to me that the present system could be improved upon.

I therefore respectfully wish to submit for your consideration the following plan. Before doing so however I beg to draw attention to a number of flaws in the present system, which have come to my notice.

1. Wireless Masts at Field Batteties.

A 30 ft wireless mast is quite visible against the sky line at a distance of 4,000 yards. I am convinced that a good many Battery positions are thus given away. Again, many of our field Batteries are so close to the line that the use of ground signals is rendered impracticable, owing to the danger of the enemy observing them. This of course reduces the value of the station considerably.......

He goes on to give further examples of why the present system does not work effectively and then offers solutions. In the solutions he mentions the "success of extensive experiments" "carried out by No 3 Squadron in 1916" and "during the months of January and February 1917" where the "observers would go up and call the battery".

In total there are 31 hand written pages detailing his suggestions so (hopefully) you will forgive me for not transcribing all of it here; I'm typing this post on an iPhone. Further on in the book are 9 additional hand written pages dealing with the training required for wireless operators, pilots and observers.

Lastly tucked in the back of the book is a Form 780 "Royal Air Force Officer's Application For Leave Of Absence" to the same man with his rank now being given as Flying Officer and his Unit being School of Army Co-op. As this is dated Feb 1922 I guess he stayed in post war.

The air war is far from my knowledge base but if any of the RFC experts feel they could shed further light I would be happy to scan the pages for them.

I guess what my friend would like to know is if Flight Sergt L.A. Parker's reccomendations led to any SOP changes and if anything is known about this man.

Before anyone asks the book is NOT for sale

Andy

[MikeMeech]

Hi Andy

It is hard to say if Flt. Sgt. Parker's ideas resulted in changes in SOPs without knowing the full details. Changes were being made to SOPs all the time, SS131 'Co-operation of Aircraft with Artillery' was introduced in December 1916 based on the experience of that year, this was continuously 'updated' until the end of the war. However, there were a whole series of air/artillery co-operation documents before this (1914 onwards) which were also continuously 'changed', based on experience and new equipment being introduced. It was not unusual for individuals to put their own ideas forward to the authorities, experiments being done at squadron level (ideas also came from ground units as well). In November 1916 the RA appears to have wanted to 'take over' the artillery spotting duties, this was supported by the First and Fourth Army Commanders, there is a lot of paperwork on it in the AIR 1 documents in TNA. What I am saying is that 'your man' would not have been the only one putting forward ideas. Ideas that were thought to have merit would have been tested both in trials and in battle before they would have been incorporated in the 'SOPs'. Again without full information I can't say if Parker's suggestions were used in full or part or agreed or disagreed with other ideas that would have been put forward.

Mike

[Ice Tiger]

Thanks Mike

I will scan the book and put it on flicker or something similar. If you would be so kind as to glance through it & give your opinion I would be most appreciative.

Thanks

Andy

[MikeMeech]

Hi Andy

One option, that your friend and yourself could consider, is to supply a scan to 'Cross & Cockade International Journal'. That would both get it into the public domain and should result in some expert feedback. The editor is Mick Davis editor@crossandcockade.com There are many experts in the membership so you should, as I said, get much more detailed information in return, it is a document of interest to the WW1 aviation community and also to WW1 military historians.

Otherwise I will do what I can.

Mike