Welcome to WW1 US Naval Aviation in Ireland
Welcome to WW1 US Naval Aviation in Ireland
World War 1, 1914 - 1918 is documented as one of the most horrific human conflicts of all time, claiming the lives of 16 million people. This website is not for the glorification of war or the results of such conflict, rather to share specific details about US Navy Aviation in Ireland and its mission to patrol and debilitate belligerent German u-boat campaign until Armistice 11 November 1918.
In as late as March 1917, it was feared that Germany may win the war. The toll was great among these adventurous young pioneers, for the machines were frail and crude and hazards were great. This caused great concern of USA mission readiness, with only 1 Naval Air Station, a lack of adequate aircraft and only 38 qualified aviators. All 163 enlisted men were detailed to aviation duty, while the 22 seaplanes were fit for training purposes only. The equipment totaled two free balloons and five kite planes.
In as late as March 1917, it was feared that Germany may win the war. The toll was great among these adventurous young pioneers, for the machines were frail and crude and hazards were great. This caused great concern of USA mission readiness, with only 1 Naval Air Station, a lack of adequate aircraft and only 38 qualified aviators. All 163 enlisted men were detailed to aviation duty, while the 22 seaplanes were fit for training purposes only. The equipment totaled two free balloons and five kite planes.
The US Navy Aviation Reserve Flying Corps was almost wholly develped after America entered into war. Despite the lack of preparedness, it is a source of pride that the first organized American fighting force to land in Europe was a detail of U.S. Naval Aviators.
The US Navy Aviation Reserve Flying Corps was almost wholly develped after America entered into war. Despite the lack of preparedness, it is a source of pride that the first organized American fighting force to land in Europe was a detail of U.S. Naval Aviators.
The USA was in WW1 for 19 months, and in this small window of opportunity the U.S. Naval Flying Corps numbers climbed into the thousands. US Mass production answered the call for aviation parts and equipment on a grand scale.
The USA was in WW1 for 19 months, and in this small window of opportunity the U.S. Naval Flying Corps numbers climbed into the thousands. US Mass production answered the call for aviation parts and equipment on a grand scale.
The US Naval Air Service in Europe was under Captain Hutchinson Ingram Cone, who was also an aide for aviation on Admiral William Sowder Sims' staff.
The US Naval Air Service in Europe was under Captain Hutchinson Ingram Cone, who was also an aide for aviation on Admiral William Sowder Sims' staff.
On 10 October 1918, the RMS Leinster out of Dublin, Ireland was sunk in the Irish Sea, killing over 500 people. Captain Cone was on this vessel and seriously injured on while returning from an inspection trip of the Naval Air Stations in Ireland.
On 10 October 1918, the RMS Leinster out of Dublin, Ireland was sunk in the Irish Sea, killing over 500 people. Captain Cone was on this vessel and seriously injured on while returning from an inspection trip of the Naval Air Stations in Ireland.
The five sites the USA identified in Ireland to suppurt allied operations against enemy submarines were in Queenstown, Wexford, Lough Foyle, Whiddy Island and Berehaven.
The five sites the USA identified in Ireland to suppurt allied operations against enemy submarines were in Queenstown, Wexford, Lough Foyle, Whiddy Island and Berehaven.
Learn more about the Naval Air Stations, the men and their missions here.
Learn more about the Naval Air Stations, the men and their missions here.
4:5 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Curtiss H-16 Seaplanes
4:5 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Curtiss H-16 Seaplanes
NAS Wexford, Ferrybank, County Wexford
NAS Wexford, Ferrybank, County Wexford
NAS Queenstown, Aghada, County Cork
NAS Queenstown, Aghada, County Cork
NAS Whiddy Island, Bantry Bay, County Cork
NAS Whiddy Island, Bantry Bay, County Cork
NAS Lough Foyle, County Londonderry, Northen Ireland
NAS Lough Foyle, County Londonderry, Northen Ireland
1:5 NAS Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) Kite Balloons
1:5 NAS Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) Kite Balloons
NAS Berehaven, Castletownbere, County Cork
NAS Berehaven, Castletownbere, County Cork
The Sinking of the RMS Leinster 10 October 1918
The Sinking of the RMS Leinster 10 October 1918
10 October 1918, the RMS Leinster was sunk in the Irish Sea, killing over 500 people.
10 October 1918, the RMS Leinster was sunk in the Irish Sea, killing over 500 people.
The next day one of the US planes sighted and bombed an enemy submarine in the area. This submarine showed signs of serious distress, and had trouble submerging. Thick, dark oil was seen on the surface for about a week after the bombing.
The next day one of the US planes sighted and bombed an enemy submarine in the area. This submarine showed signs of serious distress, and had trouble submerging. Thick, dark oil was seen on the surface for about a week after the bombing.
13 October, a submarine was bombed by a plane from NAS Wexford.
13 October, a submarine was bombed by a plane from NAS Wexford.
16 October, a H-16 aircraft out of NAS Wexford dropped bombs on a submarine which disappeared under water leaving debris and oil, was assessed as "probably seriously damaged".
16 October, a H-16 aircraft out of NAS Wexford dropped bombs on a submarine which disappeared under water leaving debris and oil, was assessed as "probably seriously damaged".