"While the buildup of men and machines continued, BF.I was taking an active part in the conflict. Observer/gunners were readily available, these were men who had never flown before but were well experienced in guerrilla warfare, some being veterans of the 1916 Rising. Russell was partnered by a former member of Collins' elite Active Service Unit, when he took off on the first sortie to support ground troops in Wicklow. The aircraft was armed solely with a standard infantry Lewis gun with which the observer engaged the Irregulars, firing it from his hip while dangerously balanced in his cockpit. The lack of armament on this and a second aircraft obtained from the RAF, perhaps underlined the original peaceful plans for the Air Service: its founders had refused guns, ammunition and bombs, which somewhat puzzled the donors. However, after the first sortie, warlike stores were accepted, once it became apparent that a real war was brewing up."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Donal MacCarron, Wings Over Ireland: The Story of the Irish Air Corps (1996), p. 15
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Irish_Air_Corps
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Irish Air Corps
1 quote on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Irish Air Corps →
Related Quotes
"The second British advantage was in the air, though here the advantage was much smaller. Served up to the House of Co…"
"Britain was at last out-producing Germany when it came to aircraft. During the crucial months from June until Septemb…"
"The British air estimates for 1938 included considerable expenditure in the Singapore area. The strength of the Royal…"
"The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everyone else, and nobody …"
"In 1958, Bomber Command's emergency war plan called for the destruction of 44 Soviet cities. Such an attack would kil…"
"We beat them in the cities and we whipped them in the streets. And the world hailed Michael Collins, our commander an…"
"We had to turn against you, Mick, there was nothing we could do 'Cause we couldn't betray the Republic like Arthur Gr…"
"Fairly restrained by international standards, the Irish Civil War was nonetheless an intense and often cruel war; the…"
"As nations, we've known hardship and division, but we've also found solace and sympathy in one another. And just 4 ye…"
"There is no British Government anymore in Ireland. It is gone. It is no longer the enemy. We have now a native govern…"