EXTRACTED FROM.

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda

Correspondence

—————–

January 2 1918

B.E.F. Italy

I have just received an enormous and beautifully packed box of delicious eatables. The contents enabled us suitably to celebrate the New Year.  They also helped us to escape an embarrassing difficulty in providing for an unexpected guest, who arrived twenty-four hours before he was invited to dinner, due to his mistake, and when our larder was sadly diminished.  The timely arrival of the parcel turned the horrible possibility of a dismal failure to provide suitable hospitality into a great success of triumphant courses of tinned chicken and fruits.  The relief to the Mess President and Secretary enabled them to enjoy a very merry evening.  The excellent cake and cigarettes were also a god-send.

It is very cold here now, and many are sick. And the Colonel is not in a good temper.  He has some one worrying him.

There is more news about us in the papers now. It amuses me the way our authorities pretend the Boche does not know all about us.

Our battery organised an officers’ jumping competition the other day open to all comers. It was won by one of our battery’s subalterns on a mare that won at Aldershot, and an Infantry Captain on his own hunter was second.  My bay mare knocked her knee against the top bar of one of the jumps and now has a fat leg.

Some one said “If this is war, to hell with peace”. But I, being an Asquithian, replied “Wait and see.”  The relief from Flanders inclines some of us to be unduly optimistic.  I do not know which is worse to be drowned in mud or to be frozen to an icicle.  Fighting is common to both places but here, at present, in a modified degree.

R.P. January 6 1918.

We are at present living in the midst of snow, and it is mighty cold. I had no idea the plains of Italy could be so cold, even in the north.

The Commander-in-Chief was to have inspected us yesterday, but as it snowed so hard he did not turn up. But the whole wretched battery turned out with the rest of the Brigade.  The men and horses looked well, and it was a great pity he did not turn up.

I have lost two good horses this week owing to kicks, one with a broken leg and another with a fractured jaw. It is most unfortunate.

Leave from Italy has started, but at the rate it is going I may get my turn on the list within – don’t get excited – the next seven years!

I am glad to say that the Colonel has at last got a well earned and much too long delayed honour, a D.S.O. But unfortunately for him he is never very popular with the staff.

January 9 1918

Italian Expeditionary Force.

I have just been inoculated with a full dose of anti-typhoid, and ordered to bed in two hours time.

At the moment it is snowing hard, and this has ruined an inspection, which was to have taken place by General Plumer, who did not turn up. The battery looked better than I have ever seen it, so you can imagine how hard the limber gunners and drivers had worked.  Even the Battery staff, often called the “Comics”, the signallers, director-men, range-takers, and such like turned up quite presentable.

The other day two of our subalterns, one we call Harry Tate and the other his “Idiot Boy”, were asked to dine with the R.A.M.C. Officers of the Italian Hospital here.  They had quite a good dinner!!  The day before one of our horses got its leg broken by a kick and had to be shot.  I immediately received a request from the village butcher, who wanted to buy the carcase.  I let him have it, and immediately the village shops were full of meat.  He must have made a good profit.  It appears that the Italian mess cook bought some of the delicacy, and our two officers had the unexpected pleasure of dining off one of their own battery wheelers!  They said it was quite good.  Thank goodness I did not go; but probably I have often eaten horse or mule unbeknownst in Italian restaurants.  What a tragic end for a war horse, truly an economic one.  He more than did his bit, he furnished one.

I may be able to get Italian leave soon. I much want to go to Rome and Naples.  English leave has been opened; but at the rate it is going my turn will come in seven year’s time.

There is a good article in this month’s “Blackwood” called “The Brain of the Guns.” I do not know who “Anthony Price” is.

R.P. January 15 1918.

The “Times” is most welcome. Though they arrive in lumps they are none the less interesting to read for that.

The snow has turned to rain today, but it will freeze again tonight, so the roads will be slippery tomorrow.

Thank you for the book on Pompeii.  I have already read about 200 pages.  The Colonel has obtained special leave to England.  Unfortunately I cannot get leave to England, but I hope to be going to Naples and Rome with two others on the 19^th or 20^th of this month.

We have been out all day in the rain, and have done very little good, so we have returned a little weary and ill tempered.

January 15 1918

We have come to the end of a perfect day. It has turned to a very cold rain now after heavy snow, and we have been out in it all day and have done no good.  We are weary wet and not in the best of tempers.

The Colonel has gone away on special leave to England.  Unfortunately I cannot get that, not being a colonel; but I hope to be going to Naples and Rome on the 19^th or 20^th. for a few days.  Three of us are going together.  I am trying to find time to read up something, and at present am wading through a tome on Pompeii, sent to me by my Father.

It is about time I had a few days off, I am getting a bit stale and off colour.

We have had great difficulty in keeping the horses on their feet in this weather. After today’s rain I suppose it will freeze again tonight and the roads will be horribly slippery tomorrow.

January 22 1918

The parcel of cigarettes, China tea, and cake arrived.  The tea was much too good to be duly appreciated except by superior souls of whom our mess contains too few, so I invited Capt. Bell and Amour to tea to partake, and they together with the Doctor and myself thoroughly enjoyed a flavour rare on active service.

Our leave has been stopped for a few days, but we hope to go in three days. At the present moment we are on the trek again but it will not be for long.

The weather had changed and the frost and snow have gone. Today it was quite like spring, and instead of ice we have mud again.

Captain Bell is the man in “B” Battery, who is keen on history. He is extraordinarily ugly, very thin, and irresponsible – But most amusing and a delightful fellow.  He wears an eyeglass on occasion, and does his hair in the Magdalen style.  The other day I happened to be in a large town near here with Gilbey, O.C., B.A.C., and met him.  Upon my enquiries as to what interesting places he had seen, he replied that he had just visited an enormous church, the largest he had ever seen, that it was full of the most beautiful statues of Madonnas, but that he had not the slightest idea where it was.  From this information I gathered that, escaping from military restraint, he had lunched well but not wisely.

What do you think of Haig’s despatch? He appears to be annoyed with the Army Council and the French for altering his plans, and with the weather for hindering what he did attempt.  The Boche has had all the luck this year. Russia has gone out for good; much good may it bring her!  We may be able to do something this year, if only we can get the men.  I am glad to see that Geddes has at last quite definitely put the alternative to the country: either the shirkers must be compelled, or else the fathers of families and leave stopped for us.

There is an officer here who irritates me intensely. He is a mannerless north-country liberal non-conformist of hypocritical habits, who worships his tin god, Lloyd George.  He harangues us about “Democracy”, whatever that may mean.  I asked him one night what he meant by the word, and to define it in an intelligible manner.  He was annoyed.  Why do such people get annoyed when asked such a question?  I suggested that democracy meant running a battery by a commander appointed by a committee of drivers, (you should know what the mentality of the average driver is!) when no doubt he would be appointed, and a vote would be carried for no early morning stables and five bob an hour.  Oh! he was angry.  He is not liked by the men, and is very sore that he was not made a captain.  He now sulks.  The loss of his captaincy occurred in this way.  I was appointed, and have been major for the last three months until the unexpected return of the original Major, Meuse, a few days ago, when I returned to the rank of captain and he to that of subaltern.  He rebelled for a long time, and refused to take his “pips” down.  This will explain what will appear in the Gazette shortly, my appointment as Battery Commander; but it will be followed later by a notice terminating it.

January 22 1918

The weather has completely changed, and instead of frost and snow it was quite like spring today.

We are on the move again.

Haig seems to be a bit rattled. From his despatch he seems to be very angry with the Army Council and the French for altering his plans, and certainly the weather was a bit trying.

For the past four months I have been a Battery Commander and acting major, but the original B.C. has unexpectedly returned from England a few days ago.  Fearing that I should probably lose the battery I had not told you of my promotion.  This will explain to you what you will see in the Gazette in a few days, but this will be followed by a cancellation.  “C’est la guerre!

R.P. Post Cards.

January 30, 1918. Naples.  We have done Pompeii and Vesuvius.

February 2, 1918. Rome.  Today we visited the Coliseum and other places in the vicinity.

Post Cards.

Jan 30 1918.

Naples

The weather is glorious. We have had a day in Naples, one in Pompeii, and one on Vesuvius.                                                                                                       (CP)

Fourth Army No G.S. 221

Précis of Lessons learnt from the experiences of a Division in the Cambrai Operations.

30^th November to 6^th December 1917.

To be returned to Major W.C. Green.

The following extracts from the report of the 2^nd Division on the Cambrai operations of the 30^th November and subsequent days, during which the enemy made a determined attempt in great strength to break the British line between the villages of Moeuvres and Bourlon, are reproduced as an excellent example of how a successful defensive battle should be conducted:-

The Army Commander directs special attention to the following points which stand out as the chief factors in inflicting extremely heavy losses on the enemy and enabling the 2^nd Division to hold their line secure against repeated assaults made by the enemy in very great strength –

• The effective use of the rifle, the Lewis and Machine Guns, and Stokes Mortars. – Great care had been taken during training periods to encourage musketry and train infantrymen and Lewis gunners in the art of using rapid fire. Picked shots used as snipers had the time of their lives, and killed a very large number of the enemy.
• Initiative and resource shown by Platoon Commanders and Section Leaders. – This was a very marked feature in the conduct of the defence and was the direct result of most careful instruction in the use of ground and knowledge of minor tactics inculcated during times of rest and training. Such forms of instruction, either on maps or on the ground, fully repay the time devoted to them.
• The marked superiority of the British soldier in fighting at close quarters.- This is largely due to the excellent spirit which existed throughout the 2^nd Division, and to the careful instruction in the use of the bayonet, the bomb and the rifle combined. In fact, making full use of all weapons in conjunction.

No small credit is due to the Divisional Artillery for the promptness with which the barrage was imposed in answer to the “S.O.S.” signal and the continuous volume of accurate fire which was maintained without intermission during critical periods. Circumstances were difficult, but the artillery observation was good, and in several instances gunners were firing over the sights; but it was the whole-hearted co-operation of all arms in the one purpose of annihilating the attack which contributed more than anything else to the complete success of the defence.

The following extracts are taken from the official report of the 2^nd Division:-

• THE RIFLE. The men had marked confidence in their rifles and hundreds of men actually killed Germans and, in future, it will not be difficult to encourage musketry.       There are instances of one man cleaning and loading a rifle for a comrade who was picking off Germans.       It was noticeable that when an attack had been beaten off men on their own initiative cleaned their rifles and collected S.A.A. and got ready for the next attack.

Great stress had been laid during the training on the constant practice of rapid fire. This was well repaid.

It would be beneficial to have opportunities of practice at longer ranges than are usually available. A 400 yards’ range is not often met with.

1. Lewis Guns. Lewis guns were in action the whole time, and proved their destructive powers equally with those already credited to the rifle. The true role of Lewis gun – i.e. mobility with fire power – was utilised.       Instances were many where Lewis guns on their own initiative moved from point to point of the line being attacked and picked up targets of immediate urgency. They claim hundreds of the enemy, and by pushing forward in places which were not being attacked were able to bring cross-fire to bear on massed enemy advancing on the flanks.

1. Stokes’ Mortars. – Stokes’ mortars were invaluable in driving back bombing attacks and in ejecting forward parties of the enemy. Here again Battalion Commanders called upon Stokes’ mortars on their own initiative for assistance, and the trust placed in these weapons by the infantry was noticeable.

The difficulty of rapid movement and traversing of Stokes’ mortars was overcome by the firer steadying the gun between his legs without any platform.

This method had been previously practiced, and was attended with success, the extra mobility obtained and greater traversing power being marked.

1. Maintaining Ground. – In most cases it is less costly for attacking troops to hold on to good positions gained than to evacuate them. A party of Germans who had established themselves in a sunken road in our line made no attempt to hold on, but retired and in doing so were caught by our fire and practically wiped out. Had they remained they would have been evicted only with cost to ourselves.

1. Counter–Attack. – The value of immediate counter-attack by the unit on the spot was exemplified again and again.       The enemy was prevented from bringing up machine-guns, and consolidating positions he had penetrated.       These counter-attacks were undertaken invariably on the initiative of Platoon and Subordinate Commanders and were the result of recent training and the good discipline of all ranks.

1. Brief Narrative of Events. On the night of the 26^th November, the 2^nd Division took over the front between Bourlon Wood (exclusive) and Moeuvres. During the next three days the Division was fully occupied in restoring order to a line which had been taken over hurriedly during operations and in replacing chaos by organisation.

The subsequent story is one so brimful of heroism that it deserves to take its place in English History for all time, and to be a proud day in the lives of all those splendid British soldiers who by their single-hearted devotion to duty saved what would have been undoubtedly a catastrophe had they given way.

On the morning of the 30^th the Divisional front was held by the 99^th Infantry Brigade on the right, with the 1^st R. Berks (right), 17^th R. Fus (centre), and 1^st K.R.R.C. (left) and the 6^th Infantry Brigade on the left, with 2^nd S. Staffs (right), 13^th Essex (centre), 17^th Middlesex (left).  About 9.0 a.m. the enemy attacked in great strength all along the Divisional front, the brunt of the first attack falling on the 1^st R. Berks, 17^th R. Fus, and 13^th Essex Regiment.

1. Attack on 99^th Infantry Brigade.- On the extreme right, the Division on the right was pressed back, together with the right-hand posts of the R. Berks. The situation on this flank was for the moment critical. However, our rifle and Lewis gun fire, assisted powerfully by three machine-guns, inflicted enormous losses upon the enemy, held up their advance, and eventually drove them back after three hours’ hard fighting. At the same time the 17^th R. Fus. were attacked in the act of withdrawing their advanced posts to the main line of resistance. The rearguard, assisted by machine-guns, held off the whole of the enemy’s attack until the main portion of the battalion was fully organised, and they died to a man with their face to the enemy.       The O.C., 17^th R. Fusiliers, writes:-

“Of the heroism of the rearguard it is difficult to speak.  Captain Stone and Lieutenant Benzecry, although ordered to withdraw to the main line, elected to remain with the rearguard.  The rearguard was soon fighting with bayonet, bullet and bomb to the last.  There was no survivor.   Captain Stone, by his invaluable information as to the movements of the enemy prior to the attack and his subsequent sacrifice with the rearguard, saved the situation at the cost of his life.  Lieutenant Benzecry was seen to be wounded in the head.  He continued to fight until he was killed.”

On the left the 1^st K.R.R.C. were attacked at the same time, but owing to the intense volume of rifle, Lewis gun, and machine-gun fire that was produced, the enemy were literally mown down, and never got nearer than 200 – 300 yards from the front line.  Those who crept forward were disposed of by snipers and Lewis guns.

About 11.30 a.m, the enemy again attacked all along the line, and although at one point they gained a temporary success, they were hurled back with great slaughter, giving favourable targets at 50 to 200 yards range.

At 2.30 p.m. large masses of the enemy again attacked the 1^st R. Berks. Regt.

On the left their attack was driven off with heavy loss by machine-gun, Lewis gun, and rifle fire, but on the right the enemy forced back the Brigade on the right of the Division, and captured the three extreme right posts, the garrisons of which fell fighting to the last, and there was such a heap of German dead in and around these posts that after the line had been restored (2^nd December) it was impossible to find the bodies of our men.

The other five posts on the right stood firm and repulsed all enemy attacks, until reinforcements restored the situation and drove the enemy back behind the Ridge.

Too much praise cannot be given to this splendid company of the 1^st R. Berks Regt and its commander, Lieutenant Valentine, for their valour and steadfastness in this most critical time, extending over some six hours.  They met attack after attack of the enemy, who were always in vastly superior numbers, and who came on right up to them time after time, only to be mown down and retire in disorder.  The casualties in this company were 46 all ranks and a Lewis gun, but they never flinched.  They claim to have killed over 500 of the enemy, and it is believed that this is no exaggeration.

Two more attacks were made against the 17^th R. Fusiliers during the afternoon.

By the end of the day the line stood practically intact, with the exception of one or two points at which the enemy had occupied our position.

During the day the work done by the machine-guns was of inestimable value; in some places where their positions enfiladed the enemy’s attacking lines, the execution done was tremendous. Guns continued in action after they had been completely cut off, holding out until eventually the enemy were driven back.

1. Narrative of the 6^th Brigade (on the left). Similar events to those described above were happening on the 6^th Brigade front, the enemy making constant attacks down both sides of the canal. On the right, repeated efforts were made by the enemy to gain ground, but these failed through the determined efforts of officers and men on the spot, the 13^th Essex Regt and 2^nd S. Staffs Regt. On the left of the Brigade, however, the enemy succeeded in penetrating the line at one point, thus isolating a Company of the 13^th Essex Regt. who were in a small salient on the canal. During the remainder of the day and following night repeated efforts were made to regain touch with this company, but without success.       It would appear that at 4 p.m. the isolated company of the 13^th Essex Regt., realising the improbability of being extricated, held a Council of War at which the two surviving Company Officers (Lieutenant J.D. Robinson and 2^nd-Lieutenant E.L. Corps), the Company Sergeant-Major (A.H. Edwards) and Platoon Sergeants (Phillips, Parsons, Fairbrass, Lodge, and Legg) were present, and it was unanimously determined to fight to the last, and have “no surrender”. Two runners who were sent at this time to notify the Battalion H.Q. of this succeeded in getting through, and this was the last known of this most gallant company.

A.A. MONTGOMERY, Major-General

General Staff, Fourth Army.

31^st January 1918

Field Survey Coy., R.E. 8210  31-1-18

Reprinted by Gale & Polden Ltd, Aldershot, for the use of the Senior Officers’ School, Aldershot.

Somewhere in France

Sunday 27.1.18

My Dear Brother Sid,

Just a few lines hoping they will find you quite well as it leaves me A1.

I am sorry I cannot give you any address yet but hope to in my next letter, but don’t worry I am alright. I am enjoying myself fairly well up at this camp, we have plenty of sport and concerts and jolly good concerts too.

I see by the papers that some of you fellows will soon have to move I do hope they let you alone, they certainly ought to.

Just remember me to the “girl”. Ha Ha.

Dear Sid, you know I cannot write much, so of course it means very short letters not like the “Blighty” ones. Ha Ha.

I will write again as soon as I get the address.

Well Dear Sid, just cheer Mother up when you go home. “Don’t forget”

I haven’t anything else to say. So I will pack up hoping this letter finds in the best of health.

Goodbye Best Love

I remain

Your Loving Brother

Frank

205166 Rifn F.W. Springett

With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent

Postmarked A.P.O. Rest unreadable.  Passed by Censor 5321

MEMORANDUM.

to the

AMERICAN COMMITTEE OF ENGINEERS IN LONDON

CONCERNING THE COMMITTEE REPORT ON “GERMANY’S IRON INDUSTRY AND THE WAR” DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF AN AIR OFFENSIVE.

By

F.W. Lanchester, M. Inst. C.E.

January, 1918.

INTRODUCTORY.

In the main Report and Dossier prepared by Mr. H.A. Titcomb, which has been submitted to me, the enemy resources in coal and iron have been subjected to careful analysis; a list of iron mines is given with output of ore, so far as known, and the location and relative importance of his iron works from which he derives almost the whole of his material for munition manufacture have been analysed as to years output, relative importance, etc., and the position of every iron works of importance has been located and marked on a number of maps; in many cases photographs and large scale plans are given.

The object of the present Memorandum is to deal with the problem of dislocating his supplies by the employment to bombing aeroplanes. This Memorandum is to be regarded as a preliminary attack on the problem – an endeavour, in the first place, Part I, to lay down the objective which can be most economically made the subject of attack, that is to say, economically from the point of view of obtaining the greatest crippling effect on the enemy with bombs, etc., and, in the second place, Part II, to find a basis for the assessment of the force of aeroplanes and establishment necessary.

As the present Memorandum is intended to be in no degree final or exhaustive, arguments are put in their briefest possible form for the consideration of the Committee, and the estimate of numbers of aeroplanes, etc., may be taken as purely tentative and not based on the fullest information which may be available when actual dispositions come to be taken. The further data which will be required in order to prepare a final Report I am of opinion exist, but on such points as probable losses involved in raiding enemy country, and such further questions as the efficiency factor representing the number of machines necessary for each machine maintained in daily commission, are matters on which the Military Authorities alone can give reliable opinion, since much of the existing data is in their hands and is confidential.

PART I.

The first point I will discuss is the best objective.  Firstly, I agree with Mr. H.A. Titcomb that to attack the sources of the enemy’s coal supply would be far less effective than to attack the sources of his iron supply.

Since pig iron is the basis of all steel manufacture the problem, therefore, is to destroy his capacity for producing pig iron by whatever means promises the most rapid and complete success.

The two main weak points in the manufacture of pig iron, as vulnerable to the bombing aeroplane, are unquestionably:-

• Mine head works, pumping plant etc.
• Iron smelting works.

Firstly, I will say that the weight of effort should be directed against the one or the other and not against both, for if we could smash half of his iron smelting works to the extent of putting out of action half of his blast furnaces, his production of iron ore would be a matter of indifference to us – his output of pig would be reduced to one half.  If, on the other hand, our effort were divided between mines and iron works, diminishing, say, the capacity of each by 25% then his capacity for producing pig iron would only be reduced in about the same ratio.  In other words, once a “bottle-neck” can be made at any point in his production it pays to exert every effort of strangulation at the “bottle-neck” to restrict production still further and not to act in some other place.

Now if we attack his mines and diminish the output of ore, he can replace his loss of ore to some extent by importations from Sweden.  But even if the resources of Sweden are already taxed to their limit, he has considerable stocks of ore which doubtless would enable his blast furnaces to continue for some time before our action becomes effective as diminishing his supply of pig.  Beyond this the raising of ore hinges on the question of labour supply, and it is reasonable to believe that his present limit is quite as much due to labour shortage as to the number and ultimate capacity of the pits, consequently, a great many pits would have to be put out of action before his supplies would even begin to show a falling off.

On the other hand, to bomb the iron works in any vital part might, and probably would, result in the blast furnaces “freezing” and in spite of any efforts he might make there would be a stoppage for at least three or four months; also the cessation of output would be immediate.

Beyond the above, an iron works is vulnerable in so many different parts, namely – the power house, the blowing engines, the hot blast stoves or regenerators, the gas washing plant, the water cooling systems and the blast furnaces themselves, besides quantities of piping, railway track, etc. The working of an iron works is as dependent one part on another as the parts of a geared mechanism, and a bomb dropping into any of the vital parts would be as fatal as a bullet through the mechanism of an eight-day-clock.

From the point of view of difficulty or distance there is very little to choose between the main shaft works and the iron works, except that the latter are, if anything, more conspicuous and less numerous, i.e., individually more important and of a larger vulnerable area.

I conclude, therefore, that the iron works should be made the subject of the attack.

PART II.

From the main Report it appears that there are four districts within raiding distance from the Western Front, the complete output of which represents 83% of the total pig iron smelted in Germany;

The approximate particulars tabulated from the Report (see Dossier p.p. 2, 38 and 40) are as follows:-

Inspections of the various plans given in the main Report reveals the fact that a large iron works commonly covers a compact site of 150 acres or thereabouts, of which the more vulnerable or dangerous portion constitutes about 10 per cent, say 15 acres. This 15 acre area can be regarded as the target and its position can be located without difficulty from the fact that it includes blast furnaces (commonly arranged in rows) and the hot blast stoves, which are no less conspicuous and which form a corresponding row or number of groups.  These conspicuous landmarks are not always located within the target in the same manner, but this fact presents no difficulty, as the anatomy of each works can be studied from its plan.  Plans can of course be verified by air reconnaissance and photography, and thus any extensions and alterations can be taken account of.

Within the target aforesaid, commonly representing an area of 15 acres, there are certain objectives, such as the blowing engines and power-plant houses, the gas washing plant, the pumping machinery, etc., in addition to the system of piping, which consists of some miles or more of pipes and conduits from one to ten feet in diameter, any of which, seriously damaged, will stop the whole works. Such items represent within the 15 acre danger area, or target, about ten per cent of the total or commonly 1 – ½ acres.

I shall take, for the purpose of this Memorandum, that as an average figure the accuracy of bomb-sighting will be fairly represented by assuming that all bombs would be dropped with equality of distribution within a circle of a quarter of a mile diameter, whose centre is the objective, or bulls-eye. Such a circle, viewed from 12,000 feet represents a contained angle of 6^O.  This does not actually mean that in bombing practice a bomb will never fall outside such a circle, but rather that the density of the “pattern” in the central portion of the circle would correspond to an equal distribution of the total number of bombs over the area stated.

The area of a circle a quarter of a mile diameter is about 32 acres And if, to be on the safe side and to allow for some of the iron works not being as large as those which the figures given in the preceding paragraph were based, we take one acre as the vital area, we reach the result that 1/232 of the total charge dropped will be effective.  I have credited nothing here for the fact that beyond the vital area there is also the area, ten times as large, which I have described as dangerous.  A lucky bomb on this dangerous area might easily incapacitate or destroy individual furnaces or hot blast stoves thus, crippling the output of the works to a serious extent.  However, it is well to leave something in reserve to be on the safe side.

Beyond this there is hardly a point in the whole iron works at which a large bomb would not do material damage and justify itself by tearing up tracts, damaging rolling stock, wrecking roofs and so forth. The factor 1/32 therefore may be looked upon as conservative, even sufficiently so to allow for a certain demoralisation of aim due to anti-aircraft fire, etc.  However, it is easy to over-estimate the effect of a bomb.  A large bomb might conceivably drop even in the vital area and not actually incapacitate a single machine.  It is almost inconceivable that such a thing should be possible, but it is well to allow for it.  I have, therefore, taken the factor for the latter purpose of the present Memorandum as half the above, namely 1/64.  On the other hand I am definitely assuming that on this reduced basis the bombing is absolutely effective and that the consequence would be those of a “freeze-up” of the blast furnaces and a stoppage, either wholly or partial, for a period of two or three months.*  * Compare foot note page 7 [5 below]

To put the matter definitely, the assumption is that the bomb contents of one raiding aeroplane, which we may assume to be a single bomb of 600 or 700 lbs, or an equal weight of lesser bombs, would, if delivered to the area described as vital, put the whole works out of action for a period of two or three months, assuming the charge to take effect; and that the further assumption is that on average once in 64 times this would be the case. I do not think the fairness of this estimate can be challenged on the basis of the data given.

We may represent the above statement in a ready form by laying it down that to maintain an iron works “out of commission”, in other words, to entirely stop its output, it will be necessary to make sufficient provision to raid it at the rate of one aeroplane per diem. In practice this would of course mean that it would be raided by massed squadrons, possibly once every 2 or 3 months to the extent of fifty to a hundred machines (See note *).  It would be reconnoitered and kept under air observation from time to time to ascertain whether the bombing had been effective and would be raided on a large scale as often as necessary.  The basis of one machine per iron works per diem however gives, on the data, calculations and allowances aforesaid, a measure of the establishment required.

Referring back to the table given, it will be noted that in cases 1 and 2 the distances to be flown are well under a hundred miles, that is to say, two hundred miles out and home, whereas in the cases 3 and 4 the distance is twice as great. As it is not always expedient to fly on the most direct course and the point of departure (aerodrome) has to be some distance back, it would be assumed that for cases 1 and 2 two hours flying is necessary and for cases 3 and 4 that four or five hours flying is necessary.  Parenthetically it may be remarked that this suggests that two types of machines will be desirable, one for the shorter distance work and one for the long distance work; also that these machines will be wanted in about equal quantity, the total number of works in the two groups being 27 and 21 respectively.

Taking first the short distance group, in which there are 27 works, we shall require 27 aeroplane journeys to be made per diem on an average, and if we take four hours flying as a day’s work we have two journeys each, or, say, 14 machines required in constant service.

Taking the second group we have 21 works, and we shall require 21 machines, since the distance will only permit of one journey per diem, the total number, therefore, of machines in constant service will require to be 35.

• Note. Actually the attack should be founded on the endeavour to bring about a “freeze-up” of the furnaces.  By banking furnaces it is possible to preserve their fluidity for a fortnight or thereabouts.  Hence the problem is to subject a works to repeated raids at intervals of about one week or ten days, to bring about a “freeze”, after which it may be ignored as out of action for two or three months at least.

It is for the Military Authorities, or those that have adequate experience of raiding work to state what this means in the total flying machines necessary. I am inclined myself to think that in order to maintain a daily performance the total bombing force would have to be several times as great numerically as the number required to be on duty.  As a figure to form a basis of discussion I will take this factor to be five times, which will mean a total of 175 machines.  This will allow an average of four days for refit and repair to each machine after a day’s work.  In some cases doubtless, machines can be “gone through” and put into flying order in a few hours; in other cases the condition may be such as to require a fortnight or more in the repair shop.  In taking the above factor I am assuming that each machine is provided with the usual complement of spare engines and parts and that adequate general stores are carried.  If the above allowance appears more than adequate it is to be remembered that the enemy will do everything in his power to protect works which are of vital importance to his existence and to the continuing of the war, and existing experience cannot altogether be taken as a precedent; there will be a great measure of resistance which will have to be encountered and overcome.

These same considerations have equal weight, both as to loss of machines and loss of personnel. We commonly hear at present of raids being executed in which all the machines return safely; we cannot hope for anything so favourable when the work contemplated is taken seriously in hand.  I am inclined, as a basis of discussion, to allow for 10% loss of machines on every raid.  Since the raids contemplated on the above basis amount numerically to 48 out and home flights per diem, we must allow for five machines destroyed per diem by anti-aircraft fire and by defending fighting squadrons.  This means that the manufacturing resources to support the establishment will require to supply 35 aeroplanes per week; this we may fairly assume divided in equal quantities between short and long distance machines.  It will be well to allow for 20 of each type per week.

Likewise as to the loss of men either killed or taken prisoner, this would correspond with the losses of the machines and it would be necessary to provide for the training of men at the necessary rate for the special duty, namely, in the geography of the district and the character of their objectives and targets, beyond the ordinary training.

I believe that on the basis of equipment given and on the policy of execution, as above outlined, it would be possible in a very short time to so cripple the iron works in the districts in question that their output, if not reduced to zero, will become almost negligible.  Also, by supporting the bombing aeroplanes by fighting squadrons and by the usual tactical jiu-jitsu in the matter of feint and surprise attacks, it would be possible to maintain a service constantly in the face of anything that the enemy could do, the raids being mainly conducted by daylight, but by no means excluding night attacks led by men who have had the necessary experience and aided by guiding lights.

It is necessary to emphasise the fact, which has already been clearly demonstrated by the main Report and is more than admitted by the writings of the German Authorities themselves, if Germany can be deprived of half of her output of pig iron the war could not last many months.  (Compare Report Appendix E. page 39).  I believe the statement to be in no sense exaggerated and its achievement to be within the reach of our potential resources.

Jan 15th 18

My Dear Father

Thank you very much for the Pictorial, letter & 10/- note I received it safely & you can bet it will be very useful it is very kind of you to send it as rations are still rather short although not quite so bad.
I expect you have been wondering when I was going to write again but we have not been able to receive or write any letters for the last six days being up the line.
Well I am glad you all enjoyed yourselves at Xmas, it made a nice change for you spending part of the time with Ciss & the rest at Thames Ditton.
What sort of weather are you getting we had a heavy fall of snow last night golly it is mighty cold but still we are lucky to be able to keep good fires going. I don’t seem to notice the cold so much as I used to I suppose I must be hardened to it.
Well Dad you will be glad to know I shall be coming home on leave soon, probably in a few days as I am next on the roll to go; you may guess I am very anxious for it to come along. I think I shall go to Ciss first as it would be a good idea to leave my equipment there as we have to bring everything home & I am not anxious to carry them too far. I would come on to you from there, but as you know I cannot mention any day it will have to be a surprise.
Please thank Jess for her welcome letter. I think you must excuse more news, as I have got several letters to answer they have been collecting during the last six days.
I hope you are all in the best of health & still going strong like Johnny Walker. Glad to say I am A1.
With much love from
Your devoted
Son