Massey, 1917, Interesting experiences of military aviators in Egypt
The airmen, who were detailed to act with Colonel Kelly against the Sultan Ali Dinar, had to move south at very short notice, and travel by sea, rail, and desert track for 2000 miles before they could reach the barren spot from which they were to operate. Though the natives were not astonished to see machines in the air, they were surprised beyond expression when men alighted from them. One who found speech was heard to say: "The government was always great, but now it is greater than ever."
On March 31, two officers left Suez for Port Sudan and Khartum, and they were followed on April 7 by an advance part of a few officers and men. Intense heat caused aviation petrol to burst, and evaporation was so great that a consignment of seven cases supposed to hold 56 gallons contained only 37 gallons. Plants with very sharp, hard thorns grew on the track and punctured tires, and, with the thermometer 120 degrees in the shade, it was desperately hard work to get up stores to be ready for the commencement of aerial flights from Hilla by May 12. Most of the transport was done with camels.
| Original title | Interesting experiences of military aviators in Egypt |
|---|---|
| Simple title | Interesting experiences of military aviators in Egypt |
| Authors | W. T. Massey |
| Date | 1917 |
| Countries | US |
| Languages | en |
| Keywords | Egypt, W.T. Massey, Royal Flying Corps, petroleum, military, war, transportation, storage |
| Journal | Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering |
| Related to aircraft? | 1 |
| Page count | 1 |
| Word count | |
| Wikidata id |
Sources
- Brockett (1921), page 848, entry 2: Massey, W. T. Interesting experiences of military aviators in Egypt Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 21 (Jan. 15, 1917), New York, p. 388. (B2p0848e02)
- Scan at Internet Archive
