Father John Oliver

The Air War in the Dardanelles Father John Oliver

If you thought the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaign was fought just on the land and sea, think again! When the Royal Navy went to war in the Dardanelles in 1915, they took elements of their own air force with them. First to go was the new seaplane carrier 'Ark Royal', closely followed by the famous No 3 Squadron RNAS, led by the charismatic Commander Charles Rumney Samson, DSO, still carrying a price on their heads from their activities against the Germans in France and Belgium. 3 Squadron RNAS had got the hang of aerial warfare. Spotting for the guns? Simple, with reports going back to the guns by W/T. Reconnaissance? No problem! They could produce aerial maps, not just photos of particular targets. Bombing? Here was the squadron that had pioneered the art and never sent an aircraft into the air without a bomb to drop on anything military that caught their eye. Air combat? Of course. It was expected of all two-seaters and any single-seater with a gun fitted. Here is the story of these intrepid men and their colleagues on 'Ark Royal' and a second carrier, 'Ben-my-Chree', with its torpedo-carrying seaplanes. Plus Major Eugene Gerrard, RMLI, and his experienced No 2 Squadron RNAS, fresh from France. And the Navy's newly-invented balloon ships, spotting for both the Army and the Navy. Meet HMS 'Manica' and HMS 'Hector', the curse of the Turkish Army - from drawing board to sailing in six short weeks! Not to mention the SS airships, which had their first taste of action in the Dardanelles. The dash and spirit of Nelson and Drake is here in the air as well as on the sea!