World War 1

Aerial view of the Orford Ness airfield area during the Great War period. Note the circle marker at lower left. © Hammond Collection: Vicky Gunnell

Orford Ness during World War 1

Following the establishment of the RFC Experimental Station on Orfordness in April, 19161, a great deal of fundamental research and experimentation took place in the field of aerial combat. Many areas were covered, involving fighter aircraft (or scouts, as they were generally referred to in the Great War), bombers and bombing, aerial reconnaissance, tactics, and enemy aircraft evaluation.

IRGON research has uncovered a very extensive series of trials, of weaponry, instrumentation, tactics, clothing, camouflage, to name a few. Surprisingly, some innovations were years ahead of their time, for example a barometric fuse was tested ( Major Holt’s Aneroid for Firing a Bomb at a Given Height Above the Ground)2

Further articles will be be provided in due course, the WW1 aspect is an active subject for IRGON researchers.

WW1 bouncing bombs
Siddeley – Deasy Sinaia

References

  1. DEFE 71/48, The National Archives, via Anne Mallaband
  2. AIR 1/1198, The National Archives, via Anne Mallaband