World War I Oswald Watt

watt flying farman biplane on europe, 1915

in may 1914, francophile watt left egypt aeroplane , took employment @ blériot factory , airfield in buc, outside paris. fired held conviction britain stay out of european conflict, watt offered services , plane french government on 2 august, day france declared war on germany. gesture welcomed , joined aviation militaire section of foreign legion pilot. though ranked ordinary soldier, colleagues in bleriot squadron no. 30 referred him capitaine in deference previous status in australian militia. posted maurice farman squadron no. 44 in april 1915, earned legion of honour badge after , observer crash-landed in no man s land , succeeded in making way french lines valuable intelligence under intense fire german positions. afterwards, watt awarded croix de guerre—with palm leaves presented general joffre—and promoted provisional rank of captain. foreigner, however, not eligible command french unit. watt proclaimed antipodean connection while serving france, painting kangaroo on nose of plane, named advance australia. considered no-nonsense type, once introduced himself british pilot words australian , haven t got manners .

watt in aviation militaire

the french recognised watt s talents not being utilised due ineligibility lead squadron, , recommended transfer australian flying corps. watt did on 1 march 1916, rank of captain. posted egypt in may, made commander of b flight, no. 1 squadron, , took charge of unit s first contingent of royal aircraft factory b.e.2s following month. no. 1 squadron engaged in aerial reconnaissance , army co-operation duties, two-seat b.e.2 proved inferior german fokkers , rumplers in speed, time-to-climb, , manoeuvrability. in september 1916, watt promoted major , given command of no. 2 squadron, formed in kantara. mentioned in despatches general archibald murray, commander-in-chief of egyptian expeditionary force, on 13 october; commendation promulgated in london gazette on 1 december. no. 2 squadron s personnel composed largely of former lighthorsemen, thirteen mechanics australian flying corps first combat formation, mesopotamian half flight, led flight sergeant george mackinolty. watt trained force in england commencing in january 1917, before deploying western front september. born leader of men , according 1 officer, while recalled in things mattered, men knew stood absolute obedience. knew when discipline safely relaxed quick grant them relief strain.

lieutenant colonel watt (front row, second right) staff of 1st training wing afc, 1918

in vicinity of saint-quentin on 2 october, no. 2 squadron became first afc unit in europe see aerial combat when 1 of patrols engaged german two-seaters, managed escape. because airco dh.5s in squadron handicapped fighters engine problems , low speed, squadron employed in ground support duties. during battle of cambrai commenced on 20 november 1917, watt led pilots on daring low-level bombing , strafing attacks against enemy fortifications , lines of communication. loss rate reached 30%, morale remained high. after visiting squadron, royal flying corps major general hugh trenchard described airmen magnificent while charles bean, war correspondent , future editor of official history of australia in war of 1914–1918, commented on remarkably high level of conduct , general tone . 6 of watt s officers awarded military cross gallantry during battle, prompting general sir william birdwood send him personal message of congratulation on 16 december, declaring: ... this indeed magnificent record squadron, , 1 of sure of must rightly extremely proud; doubt if has been beaten anywhere ... time, no. 2 squadron had begun converting royal aircraft factory s.e.5s, though achieve little in winter months due inclement weather. watt himself, forty, beginning show strain of frontline command. bean found him looking worn , noticed him shivering while seated in front of mess hall fire.

in february 1918, watt promoted lieutenant colonel , given command of afc s 1st training wing (nos. 5, 6, 7 , 8 squadrons) headquartered @ tetbury in gloucestershire, england; wing s role train replacement pilots 4 operational afc squadrons in palestine , france. watt proposed moving wing france, remained in england. mentioned in despatches field marshal sir douglas haig on 7 april, , commendation gazetted on 28 may. shortly after end of hostilities in november 1918, novelist william john locke visited 1st training wing , found there not 1 [of watt s men] who ... did not confide me pride in serving under leader distinguished . pilot later opined having courage, determination, , immense capacity work , watt possessed greatest factor in leadership, genius endearing himself (without conscious effort) served under him .