The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-08-31
air SERVICE
DEVELOP MENT
MADE PUBLIC
Report Shows That When
Germans Quit Naval Force
Was Second in Size in En-
tire World.

Washington, Aug 3o.-Although it,
origin was an almost insignificant
corps, the United states naval avia
tion service was expanded rapids
during the war that when the Germans
quit il was the second largest naval
flying force in the world. Develop
ment of the service. hitherto care
fully guarded secret, was disclosed By
the Navy Department today in the
first OF a series of announcements
dealing with naval aerial activity
since April. 1917.
When the United States entered the
world conflict 1t maintained small
naval aerial establishments. with the
principal station at Pensacola. Fla.
The personal at that station was 80
aviators and 163 enlisted men and the
equipment consisted of 22 seaplanes.
five kite balloons and two free bal
looms.
A department of aviation was or
ganized Immediately and the various
bureaus took up the work of provid-
ing men and equipment The Bureau
of Steam Engineering took charge of
the development and manufactu of
motors and radio equipment: the
Bureau Of Construction and Repair
death with the hulls and wings of the
planes: the Ordnance Department pro-
vidcd machine guns and bomb launch
ing devices and thousands Of toms OF
high explosives and the Bureau or
Navigation supplied and trained thou-
sands OF officers and enlisted men
The armistice found the navy with
more than $500 aviators. 1900 ground
Officers. and $4,000 enlisted men with
1000 flight officers and 10000 enlist
ed men in training. There We're in
commission !, 400 seaplanes and air.
planes and about 800 lighter than air
craft of all types. More than 1000 Of
ficers and 10000 enlisted men togeth-
err with 3ss seaplanes. 140 airplanes
and AZ kite balloons were sent to the
war zone.
Meantime the single station main
tanned i'm the United States prior to
the war had grown to seven training
station, ten patrol stations. nine rest
and refueling stations. two experiment
tai stations and a number Of addi-
tionaI station for various purposes
were under construction They formed
girdle that encircled the entire sea
coast of the country. In Europe
there were established and inc opera
ton rs American naval flying stations.
two training stations and IL bombing
stations located In England. Ireland.
France and Italy. There also was a
marine aviation station in the Azores.
A capable administrative force.
drawn by the navy from civilians. adj
ministered the affairs of the service
with great success. but regular navy
officers were in direct charge. Tech
nical and manufacturing experts of
reputation represented
the navy at the bases abroad and in
this country. Their loyal services
with those of the filters. made possi-
BILE the achievements which brought
from Admiral William s. Sims the
following praise for the work of the
naval aviation service in the war:
Please express to the naval avia-
tors of America my most sincere APP
probation of their courageous and
loyal performance of duty at home and
abroad throughout the war Their
brilliant exploits. their determination
to win. will ever remain one OF the,
highest tributes to American man.
hood. The performance of duty of
these young naval aviators under my
command has not only been in keep
f~