Orford Ness during World War 1
Following the establishment of the RFC Experimental Station on Orfordness in April, 19161, a great deal of fundamental research and experimentation took place in the field of aerial combat. Many areas were covered, involving fighter aircraft (or scouts, as they were generally referred to in the Great War), bombers and bombing, aerial reconnaissance, tactics, and enemy aircraft evaluation.
IRGON research has uncovered a very extensive series of trials, of weaponry, instrumentation, tactics, clothing, camouflage, to name a few. Surprisingly, some innovations were years ahead of their time, for example a barometric fuse was tested ( Major Holt’s Aneroid for Firing a Bomb at a Given Height Above the Ground)2
Further articles will be be provided in due course, the WW1 aspect is an active subject for IRGON researchers.
References
- DEFE 71/48, The National Archives, via Anne Mallaband
- AIR 1/1198, The National Archives, via Anne Mallaband