The Squadron arrived at Constantinople and entrained for San Stefano (Eastern Thrace) to be absorbed into the RAF in Turkey under the command of Group Captain P F M Fellowes DSO. Despite the slow speed of disembarkation from Podesta the machines were erected at record speed and two Bristol Fighters together with three Snipes were in the air two days after the first machine arrived at San Stefano aerodrome, a very creditable effort. The rest of the aircraft were assembled and tested and the first operations, carried out on 5th October, consisted of two Bristol Fighters and three Snipes giving a demonstration in formation over Constantinople. Two reconnaissances were also carried out the same day over enemy areas.

Throughout October the Squadron was fully occupied with the large number of strategic and photographic reconnaissances required of it and kept the British Cavalry Patrols informed as to the disposition of Turkish troops by message dropping. On the arrival of 207 and 25 Squadrons in the area 208 was able to put in an appreciable amount of time in practising bomb-dropping, message picking—up, artillery co-operation and W/T work generally.

Message picking-up was quite interesting and required a certain degree of skill for it involved the pilot flying low and straight between two posts stuck into the ground. Between the posts was stretched a piece of cord and attached to the middle of the cord was the message bag. A hook was lowered from the aircraft on the run in and if the pilot was steady and at the right height the cord was engaged by the hook and the message was picked up. The hook was then pulled back in and the message recovered. A demonstration of this technique was always popular at air displays; it was also appreciated on operations.

During the month of April, apart from its normal commitment, the Squadron carried out a fairly large amount of Navy liaison work. The experiment of dropping bombs on a torpedo fired from a ship without warning was viewed with great interest by both services. This exercise was carried out in conjunction with HMS Seraphis off Proti Island in the Sea of Marmora. At 1025 hours on 10th April a torpedo was fired by the ship. The torpedo was set for a run of 8000 yards at a depth of 18 feet. When it was about 3000 yards from the ship one 112 pound bomb was dropped from 150 feet. This bomb was fitted with a 2-second fuse and fell in front of the torpedo and about two yards to the left. The bomb appeared to explode as the torpedo was passing. The torpedo ran on for about 20 yards and then came to the surface, almost stopped, turned 45 degrees to the left and ran slowly forward at about four knots, leaking oil and flaring and smoking. No attempt was made to drop further bombs on the torpedo and the machine returned to the aerodrome. Quite a satisfactory exercise.

The Chanak Crisis - 02

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