Glossary of Terms Used in Australian Flying Corps
A.A. or Ack.Ack
Anti-aircraft batteries.
About 5000 over
Approximately 5000 yards over enemy side of line from the Allied front
line.
At about 6000
Meaning having or at an altitude of 6000 feet.
Advanced landing ground
Should the squadron be established some distance back from the front
line and too much time is consumed travelling to and fro, an advanced landing
ground is usually selected where machines may replenish petrol supplies and
land to hand in all information for telephone transmission, also when necessary
for repairs or during general advance such a ground is used being nearer the
line and scene of operations.
Aerial & weight
The wireless outfit of a two seater machine includes an aerial wire
(copper) with weight of about 1Lb or little more on end to carry wire out
to full length to form the aerial, which has to be wound up before machine
lands. The length of wire is according to the wave length of the despatching
machine outfit.
Anything doing?
A question asking one who has just returned what the conditions are
in the air with regard to enemy aircraft or enemy batteries firing etc.
Archie
Enemy antiaircraft shells bursting in the air - Supposed to be a derivative
of Archibald a part in a popular comedy whose remark was not to-day Archibald
and at one time a pilot is said to have made the same remark to shells bursting
very near his machine.
See also ‘Black Archie’,
‘White Archie’.
Archied, to get
To be a target of a enemy aircraft battery.
Army Squadron
A Squadron of fighting machines doing long reconnaissance or scouting
for combat.
Arsy tarsy
Upset, unsettled, different to ordinary conditions, ‘to fall
arsy tarsy’ to tumble down.
Art.OBs
The system of Artillery Observation practical by Art. Reconnaissance
Squadron of two seaters.
Art Patrol or Artillery Patrol
A period of time that a machine stays over a certain section of the
line observing for enemy guns firing or ranging own gun onto selected targets.
Art.Reconn.
Artillery Reconnaissance the time of a patrol devoted to seeking out
enemy battery positions in two seater squadrons.
Bait
A practice of the Huns to have a slow flying machine patrolling just
behind their own lines to be seen by Allied machines and thinking it an easy
prey, they would descend to attack and as soon as their attention was held
on their prey, a larger formation of enemy planes waiting for the bait to
be attacked would sweep down from an higher altitude on the allied planes
and attack. This was only one of many efforts at surprise which served for
a short while and served equally for both sides.
Balloon Crawl
The early flights of a new pilot are usually some distance back from
the line about the balloon line from where he can more safely learn the line
undisturbed by anti-aircraft fire from enemy or enemy aircraft. When sure
of his bearings a pilot more often works nearer to the enemy balloon line.
Black Archie
The burst of enemy aircraft shells whose burst shows as a puff of black
cloud.
A Burst
In using machine guns from the air it is always advisable to fire a
short burst of fire about 10 rounds, to guard against overheating of gun and
to correct variation in aim. The interval between burst can be of any duration
usually just sufficient to correct the aim.
Burst into him, put a
used to describe the act of having fired in combat with an enemy machine.
Calling up
To wireless to a certain receiving signals by means of ground strips
visible to the airman in the machine placed in known position on the ground.
Camouflage
A system of varied colorings and markings on a machine adopted by the
Huns to deceive and make more difficult to distinguish especially if in strong
sunlight.
C.A.Pip
Counter Attack patrol when machine a two seater acts as scout observing
for enemy counter attack and wirelesses to own batteries where to concentrate
fire and informs defenders or higher commands of the same.
Caught fire
Meaning that as a result of the petrol supply becoming ignited either
from explosive or incendiary ammunition of the enemy in combat or by accident
from the exhaust of the engine and the fabric of the machine, the whole burst
into flames, invariably spelling destruction of both pilot and machine through
cases have been known where fires have been kept under control and a safe
landing made. Each two seater machine usually carried small fire extinguisher
for emergencies.
The Circus
A Squadron of crack enemy airmen who flew variegated colored machines
usually in great numbers, who would attack when in superior numbers
but seldom if on anything like equal terms. Credited with numerous victories
but as there were many groups of enemy airmen known as a Circus the totals
are questionable.
Corps Front
The area allotted to a corps squadron [t]o reconnoitre or patrol.
Corps Squadron
An artillery reconnaissance Squadron for defence not offence, doing
short reconnaissance, photos, artillery co-operation and etc. Two seater machine.
C.Pip
Contact patrol a patrol by two seater machine where the machine keeps
in contact or communication with the infantry on the ground and wirelesses
the fullest details back to receiving stations or drops messages in message
bags at known dropping stations.
C.W.S.
Central Wireless Station which as a liason receiving station front
Artillery observation plane on the line and the Battery or Squadron.
Do a job
To perform some set task in the daily routine.
Drome
Short for aerodrome or landing place where the Squadron is situated.
Drums
The magazines of the Lewes [sic] Automatic machine gun holding 48 and
97 rounds.
Dud
A resultant state of uselessness. As used to describe such as dud weather,
a dud pilot, or a dud shoot. A general meaning of not being a success or no
further use.
E Ack or E.A.
Enemy Aircraft.
Engine deed or Engine futt or
Engine konked
Meaning that the engine suddenly causes trouble or starts to run irregularly
and unevenly.
Engine test
usually a flight of a few minutes duration to try out the efficiency
of the engine after adjustment.
Firing through prop
By means of certain gearing a Vickers machine gun fires direct ahead
the shots passing between the blades of the prop. While the blades are opposite
the muzzle of the gun the gearing will not allow the release of the trigger
regardless of the pressure exerted.
First Crawl
Refers to the earliest or first morning patrol that leaves the ground.
Flaming Onions
A type of anti-aircraft shell used by the Huns nicknamed by Pilots
on account of its appearance of small bursting fireballs.
Flip
A trip up in an aeroplane.
Formation Flying or Flying in
Formation
When a number of machines flying either in offence or defence certain
positions are taken up in relation to the leader by arrangements come to before
leaving the ground. This method gives greater offensive and defensive strength.
Fritzes
A name given to all enemy aircraft whether single seaters or multiple
seaters.
Get Home
An expression of speech advising return to the aerodrome.
Give her full rudder
Expression of pilot describing a very acute quick turn after full pressure
on rudder control.
Gone West
A term used to denote that the person referred to has passed away either
in action, result of wounds, or otherwise. Sometimes used to refer to other
than being killed as in the sense that a machine broken unfit for further
use might be described as Gone West.
Got a Hun
Meaning that a Hun enemy plane has been brought down in combat.
Got him cold
To be in such position in aerial combat that the attacked cannot fail
to bring down his adversary. The reserse [sic] of had me cold where a lucky
escape is described by one who has escaped.
Ground strafing
Machine gunning or firing from the aeroplane with machine guns in enemy
trenches or suitable targets.
Ground Strips
Pieces of white or colored cloth 12' x 2' used to spread on the ground
as signals to the air.
Gusty or Wind Up
Means when applied to an individual that they are suffering from nervousness,
lacking in determination to carry a project through.
H.E. or Home Establishment
When a flying Officer had completed certain number of hours War Flying
usually with the A.F.C. about 250 he was sent to Home training units for purposes
of instructing others and for rest from strain of War Flying.
Henry Tate
Name given to two seater machine the R.E. 8.
How’s your father
A message known to have been sent from an Art. machine when wanting
something to do to keep him amused. The cause usually of a general strafe
from Brigade H.Q.s when known who sent it.
Hunland
Territory the enemy side of the line always in occupation of the enemy
even when Belgium or actually French territory has been referred to Hunland.
Just coming to land
The set of coming to earth from any particular height while under control.
Landed
Having brought his machine to earth a pilot is said to have landed.
Learning the Line
In stationary warfare or trench warfare the line remaining the same,
a new pilot on arriving at a two seater Squadron is usually shown or instructed
by an older experienced observer how the line runs where are conspicuous pin
points or land marks in that sector for guidance in his work.
Looped
The action of forming a complete circle in the air with the machine.
Machine Gun Fire
System of anti-aircraft defence adopted by the Germans in addition
to other systems only used when weather or other conditions force the aeroplane
to fly at such an height as to be within range.
Map Squares
The squares of the map conforming to the grid lines of division of
the map of France.
Message bags
Colored fabric thin long strips, with semi pocket at one end to hold
paper, to be dropped from the air.
Mr. Sandbags
On arrival of new pilot at a Squadron flying two seater machine the
Squadron C.O. usually insists that before taking an Observer with him, the
Pilot shall show his ability to fly and land first and the sandbags are placed
in Observers seat to substitute the observers weight.
Navigation lights
Lights (electric) fitted on to aeroplanes to be recognised by when
doing night flying.
N.G.L.R.C.
Often given N.B.G.L.R.C. which are the letters of a wireless message
from a machine up in the air to the Squadron informing that the weather is
Lo B- [?] good for Shoots, Art. Reccon. Photos or Patrol for two seaters.
Night Flying
Flying by compass or land lighthouses or signal stations at night.
Offensive Patrol
Fighting machines flying either in formation or singly over certain
area searching for enemy machines to give combat to.
O.K.L.R.C.
Wireless signals meaning weather conditions suitable for all air work.
The old baron
A name given to Baron Richtofen one of the famous enemy airmen brought
down on the Somme.
The old bus
A term used by a pilot to affectionately describe his machine which
may have gone through many combats with him and he becomes attached to his
own particular old bus.
On Photos
Taking of photographs of enemy side of line.
On the Line
The time spent patrolling certain section of the line in the air.
Over No Man Land
A patrol might be instructed to work between the two front lines of
trench systems and would then be said to be over no mans land.
Patrol leader
The leader or captain of the formation or team in the air from whom
all signals are received.
P.B.O.
Usually refers to Poor B–––– Observer, used
in banter with pilots or others.
Pills
Refers to the bombs carried on a machine to be dropped on any target.
Used to describe enemy bombers as well He dropped his pills near by.
Pin Points or Co-ordinates
The exact alphabetical and numerical reading of a certain point, position
or mark given according to map squares of France.
Prop
Propellor of the aeroplane either pusher or tractor.
Rolled
Another movement of the machine embracing the rolling action but from
the side position by action of the controls.
Rotten landing
Used to describe an incorrect landing as distinct from a good landing.
Scarfe Mounting
A patent moveable gun mounting for Lewis gun used by Observer capable
of adjusting to allow gun to be fired from any position except underneath
the plane.
Scout
A single seater machine of great maneuvering powers usually fast and
light to control.
A Shoot
When a special target is arranged for the Art.OBs plane to range a
battery onto, he is said to be doing a shoot with that battery.
Soupy
Usually refers to weather conditions of low clouds or think fog making
flying impossible.
Spark Crawl
A patrol devoted by both pilot and observer to spotting enemy batteries
firing and wirelessing the co-ordinates of the positions to our own batteries
to reply to by fire.
Split arse.
Describing some sudden quick movement in flying either in combat, practising
or amusement.
Spotting
The act of deciding the exact position of the batteries firing from.
Spun to earth
Having got out of control the machine falls in a spin or bursting movement
to earth. In some cases a machine can be put in a spin while still under control
and connected to level position again at will.
Squadron Office
The orderly room or Office of the Squadron unit.
S.R.B.
Squadron Record Book. A daily record kept of flying down during the
24 hours from 6am to 6am.
Stick it
To stay to continue work with adverse conditions either weather anti-aircraft
fire or enemy aircraft.
Sticky
Referring to a situation when the odds were against one or more pilots
being opposed to a greater number and the position being anything but comfortable.
Stuck her nose down
Meaning that the machine is headed while stile still under control
of pilot to a lower altitude.
Stuck my nose Straight for him
When a pilot has his guns firing three the prop or straight ahead he
might describe the attack in such a manner.
Stunt
A term applied to any particular happening.
Stunting
The act of aerial gymnastics in an aeroplane. Trick flying or fancy
movements in the air.
Swinging the Prop
The act of starting up is preceded by swinging or turning the propellor
round till in a suitable position for ignition of the charges in the cylinders
either by self starting magnets or otherwise.
Tail down landing
A perfect landing is when the tail of the machine slowly becomes parallel
to earth and so makes an even descent while with A tail down landing though
the machine may not be broken it is not usually considered a good landing.
Thick
Refers to the weather when not suitable for flying either low clouds
or fog or ground mist.
To trim the tail
In certain two seater and other machines the tail plane is adjustable
by the pilot and is altered to varying degrees for climbing, straight flying
or landing.
Tripes
Referred to the enemy Fokker triplanes in use during offensive of Hun
in 1918.
Two Seater
An aeroplane with accommodation for observer for offence or defensive
flying.
Weather reports
Messages wirelessed down telling what the weather conditions are.
Well over Hunland
Some considerable distance over enemy territory is spoken of as Well
over.
White Archie
The burst from British antiaircraft shells.
Your gun.
The machine gun used by either pilot or observers which is usually
their greatest care being for their sole personal use is often referred to
as Your Gun.
Zoomed
To gather impetus by pointing nose of machine down and then suddenly
to a climbing position and then after gaining a greater height to fly level.
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