National Experiences - British Commission for Military History

tu r k I s h AIr cA m pA I g n s d u r I n g t h e bAttles o f ÇA n A k k A l e mA r c h 1915 - JA n u A ry 1916 323
Phases of the
campaign
The main task of
Turkish-German aviation
services was to
conduct reconnaissance,
but both sides
performed bombardment
missions at the
beginning of the landing.
However, a few
missions were successfully
completed due to
the limited bombing
capacity and unsophisticated
fire directing
methods. Air combat rarely occurred between the aircraft of both sides towards the
end of the landing and many of the damages suffered by the aircraft resulted either
from mechanical failures or pilot’s error. 4
Albatros B.I Aircraft.
First Phase: Attack by Allies on the Strait of Çanakkale
Of the four aircraft (3 Albatros B. I and 1 Rumpler B.I type aircraft), three were
assigned to Çanakkale front and the other was deployed the Fortress Command since
there was a special requirement for air reconnaissance reports. This Rumpler B.I
type aircraft arrived at the airport in the night of March 17, which was built three kilometers
from the Strait of Çanakkale. Commander of the Fortress sent this aircraft
to the Allied Naval Force
in Tenedos in the morning
of March 18.
The reconnaissance
flight conducted by Captain
Serno in the morning
of March 18 played a decisive
role in the naval campaign.
The vessels group
observed by Schneider was
the joint British-French armada.
Aircraft, returning
4 Whıstler, p. 230.