Attack everything!
Text: Jan Bobek
Illustration: Martin Novotný
Cat. No. 8094
On September 20, 1915, the legendary Lanoe G. Hawker left No. 6 Squadron of the RFC, already an aviation icon. He had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his exploits with the unit, proving himself not only an exceptionally courageous aviator but also a technically innovative officer. By the time he departed, he had seven aerial combat victories to his credit but showed signs of fatigue from a year-long combat deployment in France. However, command did not allow him much rest. By September 28, he was appointed commander of No. 24 RFC Squadron, which in early 1916 became the RFC's first fighter unit, equipped with the new DH.2 single-seat aircraft.
Hawker approached his new role with his characteristic technical knowledge and strategic mindset. He worked tirelessly to ensure his pilots achieved optimal results with the DH.2, demonstrating techniques and instilling confidence in his squadron. When his pilots worried about handling the aircraft's spin, Hawker personally showed them how. He was an officer focused on maximizing the combat capabilities of the new machine rather than dwelling on its limitations. He praised its excellent cockpit visibility and believed the engine was sufficiently powerful. However, as it became evident over time, the engine often became coated with castor oil mid-flight, diminishing its performance—a factor that later likely contributed to Hawker's death.
The DH.2 aircraft and its operational history are thoroughly detailed by B. Gray, T. Henshaw, M. Davis, and M. Kelsey in their recently published book De Havilland DH2 and the Men Who Flew Them, which I highly recommend. The book includes a comprehensive briefing by Hawker from August 7, 1916, covering the DH.2’s flight characteristics, training, combat deployment, and gunnery techniques. Novice pilots were cautioned against flying solo in combat. The chapter on combat tactics elaborates on strategies against different categories of enemy aircraft. The Germans regarded Hawker as the British counterpart of Max Immelmann, a comparison I believe to be well-founded. Hawker's main command was to always attack—ideally with surprise and from a superior altitude.
A historic day for No. 24 Squadron was June 22, 1916, when Hawker’s order of the day was simply, “Attack everything!” The unit launched its largest single-day sortie with five DH.2s and one Bristol Scout. The formation encountered several Fokker monoplanes over Bapaume, engaging in a skirmish with neither victory nor loss. The Fokker pilots demonstrated their planes' durability in dive maneuvers—moves DH.2 pilots typically avoided.
Later that day, Lt. C. M. B. Chapman and Lt. A. G. Knight clashed with a formation of six German aircraft near Bapaume, identifying the enemy as one large AGO C and five LVG C planes. Despite being outnumbered, Chapman was credited with downing the AGO, and Knight claimed his first victory over one of the LVG Cs. This scene is captured in the box art by Martin Novotný. Knight’s aircraft, serial number 6011, was relatively new, having been delivered on June 18.
Aircraft 6011 had spent less than a month on the front, accumulating 47 hours and 40 minutes of flight time, but its service with No. 24 Squadron ended on July 11, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. The aircraft was reported missing, piloted by novice Lt. C. Kerr, during an Army patrol in the Longeval-Puisieux area. It was later discovered that he had crashed behind German lines between Péronne and St. Quentin. During a battle with a German C-type aircraft from Kagohl 1, Kerr's plane’s controls and engine were struck. The victorious German observer, Oblt. Hermann Maurer, was later awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Württemberg Military Merit Order on July 29, having already received the Württemberg Gold Military Medal for his previous aviation service.
Twenty-one-year-old “Gerry” Knight, an Englishman who spent most of his life in Canada, went on to achieve seven more victories with other DH.2 aircraft. He was awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order for his service. He was one of two aviators responsible for the collision between Oswald Boelcke and Erwin Böhme of Jasta 2 on October 28, 1916, resulting in Boelcke’s fatal crash. Tragically, Knight’s career ended when he became Manfred von Richthofen’s thirteenth victim on December 20, 1916, while serving with No. 29 Squadron RFC.