Lewis, Cecil Arthur (Oral history)

British officer served as pilot with 3 and 56 Sqdns, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1916-1917

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as pilot with 56 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps in France, 1917: methods of clearing Vickers Machine Gun stoppage and reloading Lewis Gun in flight; comparison of Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5 with German fighters; difficulties of night flying in Sopwith Camel in attempt to intercept German Gotha G.V Bomber raid over London whilst serving with Royal Flying Corps at Ilford, 1918; meeting aircraft returning from patrols; nature of mess accommodation and recreations; squadron strength; offensive fighting patrols and resulting dogfights, 4/1917; method of stalking German aircraft including importance of accurate shooting and pilot's responsibility for loading own Vickers Machine Gun; conditions of service; personal morale. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as pilot with 3 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps, Somme, France, 4/1916-9/1916: initial familiarisation flights and view of trench lines from air; nature of Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c; method of taking photographs during reconnaissance mission over Pozieres; sight of 9 Inch howitzer shells in flight; anti-aircraft fire; failure of rehearsed communication methods using klaxon horn and flares during infantry contact patrol during initial offensive in La Boiselle sector, 1/7/1916; sight during patrol of tank attack at Flers; 15/9/1916; view of preliminary bombardment and danger of shells hitting aircraft during reconnaissance patrols, 6/1916; view of explosion of mines at La Boiselle, 1/7/1916.