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AIR SERVICE INFORMA N CIRCULAR

( HEAVIER-THAN-Al R )

PUBLISHED BY THE CHIEF OF AIR SERVICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Vol. I August 30, 1920 No. 89

AIR SERVICE LIAISON REGULATIONS

PART I
GENERAL LIAISON WITH OTHER UNITS

THE FOLLOWING IS PUBLISHED FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THE VIEWS

EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE CHIEF OF
AIR SERVICE. NOTHING HEREIN JS TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN ORDER
OR DIRECTION WITH WHICH STRICT COMPLIANCE IS NECESSARY

Ralph Brown Orauuho .,

•.'
LIBRARY

MAR 27 2013
Non-Depoitory
Auburn University
l
' 1

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1920
 NoTE .- The following notes were first tentatiYely prepared as Pamphlet Xo. 4 of th e 0. D. A. S. and gi.Yen a
limited circulation under the authority below:
\\-AR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE DIREC·roR OF AIR SER\"I CE,
Washington, July 31, 1919.
The following provi sional Air Service Liaison Regulations are published for the information and guid ance of all
concerned. These regula.tions are published in three parts, Part II being published in Pamphlet No. 3, and Part
III, in Pamphlet No. 4, 0. D. A. S.; Part I will be publish ed at a later d~te .
By direction of the Director of Air Service:
i\'1r. F. P EARSOX ,
Colonel, A. S. A ., .Administrative Exeeuti·i:e.
Publication is now being made for information only in the Air Servi ce Information Circul ar in order that the
paper may reach all those directly interested. Criticisms and corrections are im·ited in order that there may eYen-
tually be evoh ·ed a manual on this subj ect.
(2)
 INDEX.
Page.
Introduction ........... .... ..... ...... .......... . ..... .. . .. ... . . . . . ... . .. . ..... .. .. ... . . .. .. . .. . . . ..... . 4
}.feans and methods ..... . .............. .. ....... ..... .. .. .. ... .· .... .. ... . ... . . . .. .... . ...... .. .......... . 4
Liaison with the line ........ .. ... . .... .. ..... . ..... ..... .. . .... ..... ........ . ............. . . . ... .. . . . ... . 4
Liaison between flying units ......... . .. ... .... . ... ... .... ....................... .. ................ . ..... . 5
- Liaison between Army Air Service and antiaircraft artillery .. .... .. ... .. .... ..... .... ... . . ................. . 6
Liaison between Axmy AiT Servi ce and searchlight engineers ..... ..... . ... ... .. .. .. ..... . . ... . .. . . .... ... . . 7
Liaison between Army Air Sen-i ce and observation balloons .. .. .... .. . ........ .. .. .................. ..... . . 7

ANNEX I.
Plans of employment with diagram ........ . .............. .. ...... . ... .. . . . ............ . ... .... . . . . . : .... . . 8
Field orders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Battle orders ...... .. ................. . ........ .. .... .. ...... . ........ .... ... ....... .... ..... ." . . . . . . . . . . 21
Telephone liaison (diagram).. .. . . ...... ... .. ... ... . . .. . .... .. .. . .... .. .................. . . . ......... . .... 24
Radio liaison (diagram) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

CONTENTS.
Introduction .... . .. .......... . . ............ ... . . ........ .. .... . ................................. .. .... . . 4
Plans of employment.
Battle orders.
Reports.
(NoTE.-For sample, plans of employment and battle orders see Annex: I.)
Means and methods of liaison.. . .. . . . .. . ........ .... .... ..... ........ ..... . ..... . ........... . .............. 4
Mechanical.
Personal.
Liaison with the line ....... . ........ . .................................... . ...... . . . .... . ............. .. .. 4
(a) Personal liaison.
l. Importance.
2. Responsibility.
3. Detail of offieers.
4. Type of officer.
(b ) Outline of duties.
l. With regard to codes, pamphlets, etc.
2. Information of the Air Service.
3. Selection of message dropping grounds.
(c) Establishment of .communication.
(d) Instruction of troops of t)ie line.
Liaison between fl}ing units .. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
(a) Squadron and group .
(b) Group and corps Air Service.
(c) Corps Air Senice and wing.
(d) Wing and Army Air Service.
(e) Wing obserrntion and wing pursuit.
(f) Group observation and group pursuit.
Liaison between Army Air Service and antiaircraft artillery.. ..... .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
(a) }leans.
(b) Code to be used.
1. Periodical messages.
2. Special messages concerning airplanes.
3. Special messages concerning balloons.
'Liaison between Army Air Service and searchlight Engineers.. . . ... . .. . .. . ........ ... .... ..... ... ... . . ..... . 7
(a) Organization.
(b) Communication.
(c) Object.
Liaison between Army Air Sen-ice and observation balloons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
l. Distribution.
2. Communication.
3. Object.
(3)
 AIR SERVICE LIAISON.

INTRODUCTION. Commanding generals place much more credence in such

reports, rather than radio messages o~ even telephone
Air Service liaison is a large and many angled subject, messages. All Air Service stations are connected by tele-
but one ,,herein the subdivisions are qui te distinct. phone, and the more important stations have radi o equip-
The word " liaison" originally, in the French, meant con· ment as well. Reports proceeding by eith er of these
nection and gradually came to mean communication. meth ods do not have th e same force as the spoken or writ-
As such it was ad0pted by all the allied armies. Liaison ten word, except perhaps where such report is sent and
then to us covers all means and methods of communica- received by the two i ndividuals concerned.
tion. NoTE.-For sample plans of employment and battle or-
T o some extent the Air Service organization is quite ders, see Annex I.
independent of the other branches of the Army, thereby
accent uating the necessity of perfect comm unication. MEANS AND METHODS OF LIAISON.
The begi nning of the employment of liaison during active
operations comes with the call of the general commanding The transmission of information is one of the subheads of
l iaison. :Many means were used, the principal of which
the Army to the Chief of the Air Ser~ice for the plans of
employment of his units. The plans of the intended ac- we might say is the telephone, only second i the airplane
tion having been submitted by the Army Chief of Staff, itself, and in some cases it might be classed second to none.
the Chief of Air Service i n turn returus to him the plans of 'l'hen we have radio. motor-cycle courier. automobile
how he intends to dispose of his air forces according to courier . airplane courier , pigeons. This subject is so
the tactical situation and the plans of engagement. broad that it seems impossible to properly classify the im-
After the plan for th e disposition of the air forces have been portance of the various means. 1Vi th the airplane work-
approved, the Chief of the Army Air Service causes to be ing with the troops on the ground, we use the radio,
visual signals. panel signals, etc.
promulgated battle orders covering said action. New
battle orders are issued whenever the si tuation changes Personal liaison developed into a very important part
or upon the , initiative of the chief. During periods of of th e Air Service operations. A personal liaison is a visit
great activity new battle orders are issued daily. These made for the purpose of giving and receiving information,
orders are forwarded by commissioned courier from Army or perhaps to b ecome better acquainted only for purpose
of increasing mutual confidence and "camaraderie."
Air Service headquarters except during period of great
activity, when they are delivered to a commissioned of- LIAISON WITH THE LINE.
ficer of each corps Ail' Servi ce, generally the i nformatiqn
officer, each night at Air Service Army headquarters. In Liaison with the line i s carried on by the Air Ser vice,
turn these orders are the basis of the battle orders emanat- particularly the observation branch. through th e mechan-
ing from the corps Air Servi ce headquarters. These bat- ical means and by reports and messages, but princi pally
tle orders include a resume of the action si nce th e previous through the Air Service liaison officers, and personal
orders and give th e battle li ne in details. . Changes of the liaisons made by th e flyi ng officers of the squadron and
larger and m ore important posts of command with both group with which the line unit is working. These
the new an d old locati on are mentioned, and the g~neral liaisons are of the highest importance, and give to th e line
outline of operations from the tactical point · of vie,v. units a knowledge of the Ai r Service that could not have
These battle orders are often accompanied by maps, been obtained i n any other way. At the same time this
visualizing the i nformation contained in the writing. gives the younger and inexperienced flying officers in the
Reports form a very important part of the Air Service Air Service a more intimate and appreciative knowledge
liaison, and we may classify them under three h eadings- of the line units.
radio, verbal, and written . Radio and verbal reports Such iia isons should be included in the regular program
were used to keep various h eadquarters accurately in- under all conditions: nothing so tends to increase the ef-
form ed at all times of the actiYity of the Air Service. ficien cy of the Air Service working with th e line un its.
Such informati on as the n umber of missions on the lines, The Air Service is a comparatively new bran ch of the
the number of pursuit patrols out, decisive combats, and Army . It is of the ut most importance that missions with
the enemy aircraft seen and en countered is of great value th e line on the iron t or field exercises in t he training areas
when promptly transmitted to the various h eadquarters be carried on with dispatch and precision. Any failures
concerned . Written reports form the b asis of operations in su ch liaison are wont to be credited to the Air Service.
and in t urn they include the results of such operations. Personal liaison with the line, to a great extent, insures
"ritten reports containing a summary. of operations and the success of such m issions. The Air Service has there-
the physical condition of the units is compiled daily by fore taken it upon themselves to maintain this personal
squadron , group, corps Air Service, wing and Army Air liaison with the line. This work is carried on by flying
Service h eadquarters. Liaison from the airplane to the officers, p rincipally observers, from observation units.
ground is most satisfactory by writt~n dropped message. During active operations, liaison officers of the Air Service
( 4)
 5
are p ermanently detail ed at corps ancl division h eadquar- have not been instructed in h ow to cooperate with the
t ers. Temporarily detailed liaison officers are contin- airplane Infantry contact missions with uninstructed in-
u ally making trips b ack and forth to the line units b oth fantry ma1.-ing th e mission exceeclingly more dangerous.
during active and inactive periods. The motto of, "No mission assigned to the Air Service,
It is cust omary to select observers for detail as liaison shall fail if corrective measures can b e applied whether
officers b ecause of t heir more int imate knowledge in the those measures properly come within the sphere of the Air
work of th e line units and also the fac t that they were th e Service or not," is th e proper attitude for all Air Service
ones working with th e line while in the air. · A great units.
rnanv of our observers were originally line offi cers. The
LIAISON BETWEEN FLYING UNITS.
sele;tion of officers necessary for such details must be
made very carefully . Primarily they must have th e LIAIS ON B E T WE E N SQ UA DRON A N D GRO UP .
strictest sense of devotion for duty. They must b e thor- With the Aero Squadron as th e tactical unit of Air Serv-
oughly familiar wi th all b ranch es of th e '\ir Service and ice troop in active op erations on t he front , it is necessary,
particularl y must th ey kn ow all the fin e p om ts of observa- for th e purpose of administration and supply that more
t ion and have p erfo rmed the various missions. The liaison than on e such unit be placed ordinarily on an airdrome,
officer of the Chief of th e Air Serv:i ce a nd the one attached and that where two or more of th e~e squadrons are on th e
t tJ the corps and divisions must constantly remember same airdrome, they are under an administrative organiza-
that h e is the p ersonal representative of th e Chief of t he tion known as a group . The staff of th e group corresponds
Air Servi ce, group or squadron , and as such must maintain in activity to th e staff of our Army post , as all mat ters per-
the high est ideals wi th 1·egard to the r esponsibility placed taining t o th e operation or administration of the individual
up on him. With tact, courtesy, constant self-con trol, and units are handled through the group headquarters, and the
good temper, a liaison officer can accomplish real results, latter is responsible for the field or airdrome at all times.
but to do so h e must give constan t consideration to th e ·where the squadrons are all on th e same airdrome, the
fact that h e deals of importan t matters with officers of high group establishes the "operations office" and th e latter is
rank and sh ould govern himself accordingly . With him so arrancred that each squadron h as its particular portion of
lies, in great part , the duty to build up among the lin e the ope;:'a,tions room for the necessary det ailed work of the
organizations the proper confiden ce irJ the Air Serv ice of particular unit, and yet the general information and the
which the fo rmer in ge neral kn ows so li ttle. "eneral instru ctions of the group are arranged for the b ene -
:Sis duties h ave been alread y t ouch ed upon , but h e is
also responsible for th e proper dissemination of codes and
fit of all . (See pamphlet on Operation s Room. )
The squadron is respon sible for the actual accomplish-
pamphlets pertaining to the work of the Air Service. :Se ment of the various missions assigned t o the squadron, and
submits a wTitten report to the unit chief of staff, through the executive p ersonnel of the group is responsible, as a
his co= anding officer, wh ere h e believes th ere is negli- higher authority, that each unit is at all times in condition
gence in the distribution of such matter . :Se shall be re- to carry out the necessary activi ties assigned , and makes
sponsible that the tmit wi th which he is effecting liaison the necessary assignments or reassignments to meet the
is kept continua.Jly informed as to the Air Service, its prob- condi tions existing in the units und er th e group .
l ems, difficult ies, and limitations. :Se shall be responsible ·where a squadTon is detach ed from a group i t is neces-
for th e location of panel stations and that any changes in sary that the squadron establish proper liaison with the
location of P. C.'s and panel stati on, are immediately sent execu tive officers of th e group, in order that it may have at
to the Air Service h eadquarters concerned. all times the proper information and instructions regarding
Establishment of communication is the first duty of a its particular work. The group has general supervision
liaison officer. Arrangements are made with the chief over the field of the isolated squadron·, but owing to the
signal officer at Army or corps headquarters for such instal- isolated· condition, the squadron co=ander exercises to a_
lations as are necessary. The motorcycle dispatch service great extent the command of both the unit and field, re-
is a very important part of the Air Service liaison. Regu- porting as in all cases to the group commander for general
lar service is established by Army Air Service !Ieadqu ar- instructions. In the latter case it is necessary that the
ters to all th e units under its command to carry communi- squadron establish an "operations room " and duplicate to
cations of daily importance. Regular couriers from var- a certain extent the equipment of the group h eadquarters,
i ous Corps Air Service h eadq uarters are dispatch ed to carry in order that thP. flving personnnl may h ave the facilities
the daily reports t o the superior h eadquar ters for compila- for the study and acquisition of the necessary information
tion and forwarding un til Arm y !Ieadquarters make up the pertaining to their work.
condensed report covering all aerial ac tivity in the Air In the latter case, t elephon e connection and motorcycle
Service of the Army . This report goes t o all the Air Ser- couriers are very essential and should be established and
vice organizations concerned the day followin g, as well as maintained in excellent order at all times.
to all corps and divisional units and Chiefs of Artillery by
regular courier. The establishment of the radio nets is GROUP A N D CORP S AIR SERVI CE COMMAN DER .
covered in another chapter. Courier airplane serivce i s
established when conditions warrant. In order that there may l'> e an adviser with the Corps
Instruction of t roops of th e "line in aviatton liaison, es- Commander of an Army Corps at all times for th e purpose
pecially with th e Infantry and Artillery , is one of the most of interpreting the wishes of the corps co=ander to the
important functions of the Air Servi ce . It is well nigh · Air Service units, a Corps Air Servi ce commander is ap-
useless to at tempt an artillery adjustment if th e troops pointed and with a small staff establishes a headquarters

with the corps commander. He and his staff initiate orders
covering the operations of the units asssigned to the corps
and to a great extent distribute these orders among the
separate units.
In order that orders may be issued , governing the opera-
tions of the uni ts under the Corps Air Service commander
wi th a thorough understanding on bis part as to the facili-
tiee for the execution of same, i t is necessary that very close
liaison exist between his headquarters and the headquar-
ters of the group.
It is not only the duty of the Corps Air Service com-
mander to interpret the wishes of the corps commander,
but it is also his duty to convey to the corps commandei
the conditions under which the Air _Service must operate
to do so most efficiently, and to aid in interpreting the
information brought back by the airplanes and reported
to the Corps Air Service commander headquarters by
radio, dropped messages, or verbal conversation. 'l'h ese
latter methods of conveying information to the Corps Air
Service commander are some of the means of establishing
close liaison between the squadrons and the Corps Air
Service commander. In order to have a thorough under-
standing at all times of conditions, it is also necessary that
an adequate courier system be established for transmit-
ting orders and other papers of administration to and from
the group, and that an efficient telephone system be estab-
lished which will be available at all times fOl' conversa-
tion between the group and the Corps Air Service com-
mander.
LIAISON BETWEEN ARMY AIR SERVICE A N D WING
HEADQUARTERS.
When possible th ese two headquarters should be located
together, for in reality the wing comrnandi'ng offic er is a
departmen t head on the staff of the Army Chief of Air
Service re3ponsible for the policy and program in regard
to tactics. When the headquarters are separated , motor-
cycle couriers, direct t elephone connection, and p ersonal
liaisons by both the commanding officer and liaison officer
will keep a v ei·y close liaison between the two. It is the
particular function of the various wing headquarters to
keep the Army Chief of Air Service up to the minute
on all matters of a tactical nature.
LIAISON BETWEEN CORPS AIR SERVICE AN D WING
HEADQU ARTERS.
The Corps Air Service commander acts as an adviser to
the Corps chief of sta'ff and is responsible for th e tactical
employment of the Corps Air Service forces. The wing
supervises the method of operation and tends to k eep the
work of all corps m1iform. The wing liaison officer is re-
. sponsible for the p ersonal liaison between the two. Daily
courier service and telephone communication are main-
tained .
LIAI SO N BETWEEN OBSERVATIO N WING HEADQUAR'l ' E R S
AND PURSUIT WING HEADQUARTERS.
Between observation wing headquarters and pursuit
wing . headquarters a very close liaison should be estab-
lished, particularly so that the observation units can carry
6
out their mis ions when the greatest amount of friendly
pw-suit is on the lines. Reports brought in by either
branch which are of interest to the other should be irnme-
diately commun icated. The pursuit will furnish p rotec-
tion on missions when necessary. 'fhis should be arranged
by th e Corps Air Service commander or obsen·ation wing
command er through the p ursuit wing commander.
LIAISON B.ETWEEX OBSERVATION GROUP AXD PURSUIT
GROUP .
Where conditions are such that certain pursuit units can
be assigned to cooperate with observation units, close per-
sonal liaisons sh ould be established. Direct telephon1c
communication should be maintained .
LIAISON BETWEEN THE ARMY AIR SERVICE AND
THE ANTIAIRCRAFT ARTILLERY.
The liaison between t he Army Air Senice and the anti-
aircraft artillery will d epend to a large exten t upon th e
size and terrain of the sector occupied .
There are now six standard means of establishing this
liaison, i. e.:
(1) \ Vire telephone communications.
(2) Wire telegrnph co=unications.
(3) Radio telephone commmlications.
(4) Radio telegraph communications.
(5) Visual signal commm1ications.
(6) Messenger commun ications.
The type of communication for a particul ar operation
will be d etermined by the conditions of the operation.
The following paragraphs give th e standard comm unica-
tion for a general problem, but shoul d be changed to suit
conditions of a speci fic problem.
The antiaircraft artillery on th e Arm y fro nt is divided
in to sectors, usually three batteries to a sector. The bat-
teries " i ll lmYe wire telephone, messenger, and visual (if
possible) communication with th e sector headquarters.
The objeCL of this liaison is to furnish information of the
ac tivity or approach of allied ·or enemy aircraft. Th e sector
headquarters 1'ill, when ·practical, have wire telephone
connection to a balloon , division, or corps telephone cen-
tral. 'l'he principal means of communication of the anti-
aircraft artillery sectors will be the antiaircraft artillery
pw-suit radio telegraph n et. The antiaircraft pursuit
radio net will consist of the following stations:
(1) Army Air Service radio.stations located at th e h ead-
quarters of the Army Air Service commander, which will
act as a post command station .
(2) An tiaircraft artillery sector, radio stations located
n ear the h eadquarters of the antiaircraft artillery sector .
(3) P ursuit group radio stations located on the airdrome
of th e p ursuit groups .
(4) Special radio stations that may be established for
special pursuit work or night flying.
The ·object of this liaison is to furni h i nformation on :
(1) Enemy aerial activity.
(2) Position of enemy observation balloons.
(3) Weather conditions on the fron t.
Two typ es o'f messages will be sent, i. e., periodical and
special. The messages wil l be sen t in code similar to th e
one given h ereafter.
 7
CODE TO BE USED . LIAISON BETWEEN THE ARMY AIR SERVICE AND
THE SEARCHLIGHT ENGINEERS.
(a) P eriodical messages.-All eYen h ours (6, 8, 10, until The searchlight engineering regiments are diYided into
20 h.) the 11·i reless stations of the sectors send a message companies and th e com panies into platoons. Each
prepared as follows: platoon operates a searchlight. In an Army sector, wire
1. Indicating the station. telephone communication will b e established between the
2. Letter "R" follo,Yed by the number of enemy pur- pl atoons of a company and the company h eadquarters.
suit airplanes seen during the preceding two hours. Wire or radio telephone communications will also be
3. Letter " F" if the pursuit airplanes haYe been seen established between the company headquarters and
ornr the friend ly lines or letter " D" if they were over the regimental headquarters. Wire telephone communica-
enemy lines. Number i ndicating the approJcimate dis- tion will be established between th e regimental head-
tance of the airplanes from the lines. . . . / quarters and the Army telephone central. Radio telc-
4. Letter_".\." followed by_ a ~umber ~ndicating the graph liaison will be established with Air Service units
aYerage altitude of the pursmt au-planes ill thou and of in the antiaircraft artill ery pursuit radio net. The objec t
feet (numb er 1, from O to 1,000 feet; number 2, from 1,000 of this liaison is t o furnish information concerning:
to 2,000, etc.). . (1) Enemy aerial actiYity.
5. Letter " B" follow·ed by the number of observat10n (2) Fi·ienclly aerial activity. ,
airplanes seen during the preceding two hours. . (3) Visual signals, especially for night flying.
6. Letter " V" f?ll owed by the n~b er of reconn~issance The important operations of the searchlights are mostly
and photograph airplanes seen dunng the preceding two at night when the antiaircraft artillery stations will not
hours. . have much to report. (N OTE.-This net was successfully
7. Letter "Z " conventional signal for "enemy observa- operated over the group of Army sectors in Fi·ance. The
tion balloons." net contained 18 stations and on active clays reported from
8. The coordinates of the enemy observation balloons 300 to 400 enemy aircraft. )
will be given the standard Army coordinate method.
9. Letter "N" fo llowed either with a numb er (0 to 9) LIAISON OF THE ARMY AIR SERVICE WITH THE
indicating the approximate heights of the clouds in hun- f OBSERVATION BALLOONS.
dred feet (N) indicating very low clouds, fog; "N 9 " The observatio~ balloon sectors of the Army front are
indicating clouds at about 900 feet, or letter " H " indicat- mapped out according to the numb er of corps and divisions
ing clouds higher than 1,000 feet or no clouds. in the Army. Normally the balloon companies are as-
Example: R 8 D 2 A 2 B 4 V 7 Z P 33 P 41 N 8. signed as follows:
"The antiaircraft artillery sector.has seen during the One balloon to each division of the Army.
two hours 8 pursuit airplanes, the most aggressive patrol One balloon to each Army Corps.
sta)ing 2 kilometers within its lines, aYerage altitude of One balloon to the Army.
the airplanes 2,000 feet, 4 adjustment airplanes, 7 recon- J Wire or radio telephone communication will b e estab-
naissance airplanes, 1 balloon region X, another one in lished between the divisional balloon central and the
th e region Y; h eavy clouds at about 800 feet." diYision's telephone central and to the divisional Artillery
Special messages concerning the plancs.-These messages brigade h eadquarters. Radio telephone or telegraph and
are sent eYery time an unusual activity of the enemy visual liaison will be established bel,veen the divisional
aYiation is obserYed. They are established as follows: Artillery units and the balloon group headquarters. The
1. Indicating the station. object of this liaison is to furnish information to the general
2. Number of airplanes seen. staff of the division concerning the activities at the front
3. Letter N., S., E., or W. giYing the direction of the to control artillery fire against the enemy.
enemy airplanes seen from the observation post. Wire or radio telephone communications will b e estab-
4. Direction followed by the airplanes. lished b etween the corps balloon central, the corps Artil-
5. Number gi,ing the approximate altit ude in thousand lery headquarters, and the balloon group headquarters.
feet. The letter '·I " inserted between the letter giving Radio telephone or telegraph, and t11e visual liaison will
the direction followed by the airplanes and the altitude be established b etween the corps balloon and the units
means a call of an urgent character. of the corps artillery. 'fhe object of this liaison is to
Special messw1cs concerning the balloons.-To be sent furnish information to the general staff of the corps con-
every time a balloon is seen going up or ~own ( do no~signal / cerning the activi ties of the front and to control the corps
same i[ this happens at the regul ar time for penodical artillery fire against the enemy.
message) . They are established as follows: Wire or radio telephone communication will be estab-
1. " UZ," meaning that the balloon goes up or "UD," lished between the army balloon headquarters and the
that it comes down. ' Corps headquarters. Radio, telephone, or telegraph liaison
!
2. Coordinates of the balloon as for p eriodical message . will b e e_stablished b etween the Army,balloo~ h eadqua~·-
Example of a message: ters and the Army h eadquarters. fhe obiect of this
U Z P 33 "A balloon goes up in regi on P 33.n liaison is to furnish information to the General Staff of
I
Dz P 41. "A balloon comes down in the region P 41. " the Army concerning the activities at t he front .

•

ANNEX I. PLAN OF EMPLOYMENT OF AIR SERVICE UNITS, THIRD ARMY, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY
FORCES.
The following conditions are considered:
1. _Period of armisti ce.
2. Resumption of hostilities.
1. PERIOD OF ARMISTICE.
The employment of Air Service during the period of the kilometers; to carry out sp ecial missions as ordered by the
armistice mll include its:
1. Disposition of forces. (See Appendix No. 1.)
2. Instrnction. (See Appendix No. 2.)
3. Supply. (See Appendix No. 3 .)
4. Operations.' (See Appendix No. 4. ProYisional ordered by the respective commanders.
Manual of Operations for Air Servi ce Units, Third Army. )
5. Liaison. (See Appendix No. 5.)
6. Preparation.
All available data of military value will be secured in
reference to territory occupied by the enemy, such as
strategic objectives, both primary and secondary, rail-
roads, highways, waterways, industrial centers, bridges,
ammunition dumps, and rest areas. This will be effected
by means not in _violation of terms of the armistice .
Action will be taken to determine requirements in
personnel and material and the time necessary to obtain
same through the present system of supply.
2. RESUMPTION OF HOS'l'ILITIES.
'rhe Air Service must be prepared to meet the following tained to attack enemy night bombardment airplanes.
conditions:
A. Offensive.
B. Defensive.
C. Withdrawal.
A. OFFE NSIVE.
The offensive is considered in four phases:
1. Preparation.
2. Immediately preceding the advance.
3. During the advance.
4. The exploitation.
1. PREPARA'.l:!ON,
General mission.-The general mission of the Air Service
in case of an offensive is to: (a) Prevent access to our lines
by enemy airplanes and observation by enemy balluons;
(b) secure all necessary data for the attack ·b y means of
photogrnphic missions and day and night Yisual recon-
naissance, without indicating to the enemy the coming
attack; (c) hinder as much as possible without disclosing
our intentions, enemy concentration of troops and sup-
plies b y the employment of day and night bombardment.
Mission of-
Pursuit.-To prevent enemy aerial observation; to main-
tain sufficient offensive patrols to insure the success of our
observation; to cooperate >1ith day bombardment during
raids.
Day bombardment.- To bomb principal railroad centers,
detraining points, ammunition dumps and troop con-
centrations to a depth of 25 kilometers.
1 Data and instructions of this section included in revised form in this posts of command and important lines of communication
alld the other liajson circulars.
8
Night bombardment.- To bomb all important enemy
stl'ategic areas, railroad centers in the rear areas, canton-
ments, parh and airdromes.
Army observation.-To carry out normal missions of both -
visual and photographic reconnaiseance to a depth of 25
command.
Army artillery .- To carry out such missions as are ordered
by the ATmy Artillery commander.
Army corps observation.~ To carry out all missions
2. HIMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE ADVANCE.
General mission.-During the period immediately pre-
ceding the attack, the role of the Air Service will remain
as it was during the preparatory phase . Depth of day and
night bombardment will, however, become mol'e re-
stricted.
Mis~ion of-
Pursiiit.-The pursuit will insure the barrage of our front
against hostile observation of the movements ordered; it
will protect ow· observation airplanes at every altitude; in
offensive patrols it will attack the enemy's pmsuit, obser-
vation, battle-airplanes and balloons; on special orders it
will attack concentration of enemy troops, convoys and
machine gun nests; offensive night patrols will be main-
Day bombardment.-The role of day bombardment will
remain the same as in the preparatory phase, but missions
mll be confined to a depth of 15 kilometers. Special
attention will be given to daybreak raids upon concen-
trations of troops, convoys, and airdromes, and raids
upon posts of command and ammtmHion clump, .
Night bombardment .- Will remain the same as in pre·
paratory phase. Objectives of the main line of supp ly
wHl be vigorously attacked.
Army observation.-Same as in 1.
Army artillery.-Same as in 1.
Army corps observation.-Same as in 1.
3. DURlNG THE ADVANCE.
General mission.-The general role of the Air Service will
remain the same as during t he period immediately pre-
ceding the attack. Greater attention, however, will be
given to active and close cooperation with the infantry
and artillery on the battlefield.
Mission of- ·
Pursuit.- 'l'o destroy all enemy airplanes and balloons
throughout th.e zone as far as th e line of exploitation and
to ·a distance on each flank to be indicated in special •
orders as the situation warrants; to protect observation
airplanes and balloons; to cooperate with day bombard-
ment. during raids; to attack with machine-gun fire and
small bombs ground troops in mass, wagon trains and cons
voys; to at.tack enemy night bombing airplanes aiid render
protection to our night bombing airplanes by harassing
enemy antiaircraft defenses to a depth of 10 kilometers.
Day bombardment.- To attack troop concentrations,
to a depth of 15 kilometers; to take advantage of every
 9
opportunity to attack large columns of troops and con voys
both with bombs and machine-gun fire.
Night bombardmenl.- Th e same as in period immediately
preceding attack. Special attention will be given to the
centers which show unusual activity by increase of lights.
Army observation.- T o exec ute all missions ordered by
the command ; in the absence of special instructions to
carry out constant deep reconnaissance missions; to obtain
information as to en emy activity in rear areas, particularly
in 1:egard to large troop movements.
Army artillery .- Sam e as in 1.
Army Corps. - Same as in 1.
4 . EXPLOIT A TlON.
The same general plan will be follow·ed as during the
advance, with modification necessary to meet the special
situation. Detailed instructions will be issued in battle
orders.
B . DEFENSIVE.
1. Early preparation.
2. Holding of position.
1. E ARLY PREPARATION .
Employment of Air Service will be the same as in A,
1 and 2.
2 . IlOLDING OF POSITION.
Missions of-
Pursui t.-To attack and destroy enemy air forees; to
protect our own observation air service and to cooperate
with bombardment units as ordered.
Day bombardment.-To carry out normal bombardment
of the sectOT; to attack all important objectives to a depth
of 50 kilometers. The importance of visual reconnais-
sance by bombing observers wi ll be emphasized.
Army observalion.__:Same as 1.
Army artillery.- Same as 1.
A rmy corps obsen1ation. - NOTE .- (ln case the defensive
develops, by counterattack, in to an offensive, or rcsul ts ill
10838- 20-2
a withdrawal, t he employment of the Air Service will
follow the lines indicated herein for such contingencies.)
C. WITHDRAWAL .
General mission.-ln the event of a withdrawal, the
normal employment of the Air Service will he similar to
that during a defensive. The special si tuation will be
covered in battle orders.
In general, the Air Sen-ice will-
Prevent enemy aerial observation from keeping in con-
tact with our troops or locating th eir positions .
Attack the hostile columns and artillery.
Gather all information as to the disposition of enemy
forces and the location of our own troops and posts of
· command.
Bomb all important raih'oad centers, detraining points,
bridges, and troops' concentrations. Special attention will
be given to breaking up enemy attacks.
Attack continually, and by all means available, enemy
river crossings.
The following appendices are attached:
Appendix No . 1. Disposition of forces.
Appendix No . 2. Instruction. (Training Memorandum
No. 1. )
Appendix No. 3. Supply.
Appendix No. 4. Operations. (Provisional Manual ,
Operations for Air Service units, Third Army.)
Appendix No . 5. Liaison.
Plans of employment of pursuit, bombardment, arm
observation, balloons will be issued as the special situa,
tion warrants.
By command of Maj. Gen. Dickman:
MALIN CRAIG,
Chief of Sta.fl.
Official:
WM. MrTCHELL,
Brigadier General, United Stales A rmy,
Third Army, Air Service Commander.
 PRcPAREO UNOER fJIRECTION OF BR/6. GEN. Wu. MITCHELL
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llcADpUARTERS Am SERVICE
3;y_o ARMY
BRt6. Gov. WM M!Tclf.cLL
C08LENZ

APPENDIX No.I To ?LAN Or CMPL.OYMENT Am ScRv1c£ THIRD ARNIY


APPENDIX NO. 2 TO PLAN OF EMPLOYMENT, AIR SERVICE UNITS, THIRD ARMY.
HEADQUARTERS AIR SERVICE, THIRD ARMY,
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.
Confidential .] JA NUARY 2, 1919.
'! 'RAI NING MEMORANDUM NUMBER 1.
1. The present period will, be utilized by a ll Air Service
units for the institution and energetic carrying out of a
comprehensive program of instruction of both commis-
sioned and enlisted personnel.
2. Organization commanders will assure themselves, by
frequent and minute inspections, that all clothing, per-
sonal and technical equipment, transpOTtation, and
billets are clean and in proper condition. ·
3. Extreme smartn ess in clothing, appearance, set-up,
and saluting will be insisted upon at all times.
4. Corps Air Service commanders and commanding
officers of Army Air Servi ce units will cause detailed
programs of instructions to be prepared for th~ir com-
mands, which programs will, in case of units stat10ned at
Treves and Coblenz airdomes, be subj ect to approval of
the commanding officers of the respective airdromes .
5. The object of such instructional work is the increased
efficiency of the unit, but in the arrangement of programs,
instruction should not be narrowly confu1ed to subjects of
technical interest to the Air Service alone. Theoretical
and practical training will be included in any field of work
which will either directly or indirectly contribute to the
value of the service of the per onnel und er instruction.
6. The detai led course of instruction to be followed will
be indi cated in a weekly program, and a copy of the
weekly program, together with a report upon instructions
during the preceding week, will be submitted to these
headquarters on Monday of each week.
A. TRAI~L'fG OF COMlliSSIONED PERSONNEL.
Instruction will cover both theoretical and practical
aspects of subjects of technical and military value.
Theoretical instruction will include the following sub-
jects:
1. Study of the organization of: (a) a regiment, (b) a
brigade, (c) a division, (d) an army corps, (e) an. an~y,
(j) a group of armies, with the reasons for the orgalllzat10n
9f the groups mentioned and the function s of each.
11
2. ·Troop movements and disposition of combat units:
(a) The march to the front, (b) a route march, (c) a retreat,
(cl) a march of concentration, (e) occupation of a position,
(j) an offensive, (g) an attack . .
3. Study of the rear areas of an Army: (a) Lines of com-
munication, (b) sources of supply, such as railroads, supply
columns, dumps, etc.
4. Administration: (a) Organization and administration
of the sq uadron and larger Air Senice units, (b) military
correspondence with subdivii,ions and channels thereof,
(c) military discipline, (d) military dress, (e) military
courtesies, (j) military law and procedure in comts-
martial.
5. Subjects for general study: (a) Military aviation from
the standpoint of pilot and observer, including care of
engine and airplane, (b) enemy airplanes with lectures
upon and inspection of various types of enemy airplanes
now available for study, (c) aerial photography and inter-
pretation of aerial photographs, (d) liaison with Infantry,
(e) duties of command and surveillance airplanes, (f) ad-
justment of fire of artillery of various calibers, (g) map
reading, (h) machine guns, (i) Infantry drill regulations,
(j) the duties of operations and liaison officers.
6. Practical exercises and instruction in the following :
(a) Setting up exercises, (b) athletic games and exercises,
(c) Infantry drill, (d) practice flight s, including cross-
country flights, practice photographic missions, formation
fli~hts, wireless-testing flights, rendezvou s between pur-
suit and bombardment units, protection flights, (e) aeiial
"Unnery and target· practice, (f) exercises with Infantry
:nd Artillery, (g) practice in transmitting and receiving
with buzzer.
B. TR.:.UNL.~G OF ENLlSTED MEN.
1. Instrnction shall include the following subjects, the
work being carried out under the personal supervision of
an officer: (1) Daily settin~-up exercises, (2) Close order
drill (3) Noncommissioned officers' school which shall in-
clucl~ instruction in seiected subjects of ·mi1itary and
technical value. The first week 's training shall include
a thorough review of the Manual of Interior Guard Duty,
(4) Athletic games and exerci es.
By command of Brig. Gen. Mitchell,
L. H. BRERETON,
Lieiit. Colonel, Air Service, United States Army,
Chief of Staff.
 12
APPENDIX NO. 3 TO PLAN OF EMPLOYMENT OF AIR SERVICE UNITS, THIRD ARMY, AMERICAN
EXPEDITIONARY FORCES, JANUARY 9, 1919.
SUPPLY. 4. 1\WTOR TRANSPORT OIL AND GASOLINE.

The system of supply for Air Service units, Third Army, Squadrons wi ll obtain motor t ransport oil and gasoline
American Expeditionary Forces, is as follows: from the n earest railhead. T.he squadron equipment
officer will notify G-4 , Third Army, as to squadron require-
1. REPLACEMENT OF AIRPLANES.
ments in this respect and at what railheads delivery is to
R equisitions will be forwarded to first air depot at be made.
5. RATIONS .
Colombey les Belles, a pilot from the squadron requiring
the replacement being sent to ferry the airplane to the Rat.ions will be drawn at the nearest Third Army rail- ,
squadron airdrome. Inspection will be made by the pilot h ead .
and the airplane accepted ·if satisfactory before the ferry 6. SALVAGE OF AIRPLANES.
flight from first air depot is begun. Fourth air park will be notified by telephone by squad-
Upon th e establishment of the projected advance issue xon commanders i n regard to airplanes which require sal-
point for airplanes at Briery the same procedure in obtain- vaging. the message b e ing confir med in writing. This
ing the replacements of airplanes as at fi rst air depot ,vill notification will contain an accurate statement of the loca-
be followed . tion and condition of the airplane. A copy of the notifica-
t ion will be sent to the equipment officer, headquarters Air
2 . AVIATION SPARE PARTS AND SUPPLIES. Service, Third Army. The airplane requiring salvage will
R equisitions for spare parts and supplies will be sub- be shipped by fourth air park to first air depot.
mitted to the fourth air park at Coblen z-Lutzel where they 1 . REPAIR OF AlRPLANES.
will be consolidated and transmitted to first air depot. .. . . . .
. ·b · f 1· J · d - b cl b Mrnor repairs on aHplanes and engrnes will be made by
D1stn ut10n. o supp ies w ien receive Wl11 e ma e y the squadrons. If auplanes
J
· ·
or engrnes require· repa1r
· too
the fourth au park · I
I extensive to be made by the squadron or if spare parts can
3. AIR.PLANE orL AND GASOLINE. not b e obtained, the a irplanes will be shipped by rail to

Fourth air park will receive shipments of airplane oil

and gasoline by rail and truck and will deliver same upon
I
first air depot and replacement airplanes substituted.
IRA B . J oRALEMON,
Major, Air Service, United Slales Army,
requisi tion by squadrons. Equipment Officer.

APPENDIX NO. 5 TO PLAN OF EMPLOYMENT OF AIR SERVICE UNITS, THIRD ARMY, AMERICAN
EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.
LIAISON. 3. COURLER.
System of control, h eadquarters, Air Service. For transmission of operations repoi-ts and information
The following methods of communication will be reports and bulletins and for general use between units and
utilized : headquarters, Aii: Service.
I. AIRPLANE COURIER, NJGR1' AND DAY.
4. TELEPHONE, RADIO AND TELEGRAPH.
For special courrier missions as ordered and for distribu-
tion of first urgency prints of aerial ph otographs. For immediate transmission of operations reports and in-
formation reports and for general use.
2. LIAISON OFFICERS.
N OTE.- Graphic representation of system of telephonic
For transmission of battle orders and other secret matter and rad io communications is attached hereto.
from h eadquarters, Air Service, to unit8 and for liaison with
other Army .

ANNEX NO. 3 (FIELD ORDERS NO. 9). PLAN OF EMPLOYMENT OF AIR SERVICE UNITS, FIRST
AMERICAN ARMY.
HEADQUARTERS, FIRST ARMY AMERICAN EX. A. EARLY PREPARATION (FROM NOW 1'0 DAY OF ATTACK).
PEDITIONARY FORCES. I. ITS GENERAL INTENT .
FRANCE, September 7, 1918. (a) Keeping up the normal bombardment of th e sector
1. PLAN OF EMPLOYMENT. so as not to draw enemy's attention to our a ir concentra-
'fhis will consist of four stages, as enumerated below : tion.
A. Early preparation (from now to day of attack). (b) Preventing access to om lines of hostile reconnais-
B. Preparation immediately preceding the attack (from sance aviation. Hindering the observation work of hostile
the beginning of the artillery preparation). balloons.
C. The attack (first and second clays). (c) Gathering all information necessary to the prepara-
D. The exploitation . tion of the attack, especially for the artillery preparation.
 13

APPENPIX' /05 TO PLAN

OF EMPLO,..,ENT
TELEPHONE ANO R""90/0 L/""9/cSON
AIR SERV/CE THIRD ,4RMY

Hear 8fat101V C.,4.S, Third Corps P. C. .Station

Heo,Fi~ld
o>--------l . . -------...--c
/;
I l
I I
R.Ft°eld .
I I Advonce Re/a
rQ/~pl,o,,. Clrc<1,t--
Rod10 L ,a/son - -

.P. c. Sraf/on

elva,.,ce
rie/d

. Hetu· cSfo//on
P. C . ..Station
 14
These missions should be carried out so as not to change Corps as far as the line of exploitation, and, on the flanks
the usual aspect of the sector. as far as 12 kilometers north of P ont-a-Mousson, and as far
11. )HSSION S OF EACH BRANCH OF AVIATION.
as Etain, inclusive. ·
(2) Army pursuit groups: Will destrny all hostile avia-
(a) Bornbardment.-French night bombardment, British tion in front or" our lines to a depth of 5 kilometers;
day and n ight bombardment; the normal bombardment of will insuTe the absolute liberty of action of our observation
the sector. aviation and balloons throughout this zone; will attack
(b) Pursuit- those hostile balloons which are considered especiall y
(1) French Air Division Pursui t Aviation: Will be ready dangerous.
to act D- 2. It will only be called upon to act during this (c) Army reconnaissance work.-Reconnaissance (photo-
p eriod , if the activity oE hostile aviation should make it graphic and visual) of the whole sector all-0tted to the
necessary to strengthen the Army pursuit groups, and only Army observation group.
in such proportion as will be necessary to prevent enemy (d) Artillery and Arrny Corps A viation.-(1) Photographs
reconnaissance inside our lines. of destruction, (2) observation of Artillery fire, (3) surveil-
(2) Army Pmsuit Aviation (4 groups) : It will 'insure the lance, (4) r econnaissance and command.
absolute barrage of the front and protect our observation
aviation at every altitude, from the Verdun-Etain Road as C. 'l'HE ATTACK (FIRST A ND SECOND DAYS ) .
far as the reg ion northeast of Nancy. It will carry out I. GENERAL PURPO SES.
offensive patrols : attack balloons and troops on the ground
when ordered. Same as during preceding p eriod. The aviation will
(c) Arrny reconnaissance aviation.-Photographic recon. take every.occasion to attack troops, trains, and important
naissance will be canied on beyond the line marked by targets on the ground.
the following points: Pagny, Stu-Moselle, Prony, Jaul yn, II. E SP"ECL\..L MISSIONS OF EACH BRANCH OF AVIATION.
St. Bemoit, Vigneulles, Donco urt-aux-Templiors, Maise-
. (a) Bornbardrnent.-Attack of all impo.rtant objectives,
ray, Etain as far as the Seille Valle, and the Metz, Con.flans, such as large gatherings of troops, material, airdromes, and
Etain railway. P. C.'s.
Visual reconnaissance will b e carried out by day or by
(b) Pursuit.-Same as during preceding period. More-
night in order to watch the movements of concentration over, low-flying patrols should attack with bombs and
or possible withdrawal of the enemy between the lines
machine guns either enemy reinforcements marching to
mentioned above and t he Spincourt-Thionville Boulay the attack or enemy elements retreating.
line, according to instructions received from G-2.
(c) Arrny reconnaissance.-Same as during preceding
(d) Anny.- Artillery aviation and Army Corps aviation :
period.
Photographic reconnaissance and visual reconnaissance (d) Anny Artillery A viation and Arrny Corps A via-
of kinds ordered by the Army Artillery and Army Corps
tion.-(1) Observing Artillery fire and its destruction (2)
as far as the line mentioned above.
liaison with Infant ry, (3) observation for the benefit of
Spotting of Artillery targets and any adjustments or
the high command of the maneuvers of the enemy.
registrations necessary.
D. THE EXPLOITATION.
B. IMMEDIA'l'E PREPARA'l'ION PRECEDING THE A'r'J'ACK
(FR OM THE BEGINNING OF 'J'HE ARTILLERY PREPARA- 'l'he same system will be followed as in the period of
TION). attack, it b eing varied according to the necessities of the
I. ITS GENERAL PURPOSE S. moment.
E. APPENDICES.
The action of aviation should be concentrated forward
of the lines, as far as the hostile detraining and refilling Appendix No. 1 shows the distribution of the air forces.
railheads throughout the zone of opera~ions. Enemy Appendix No. 2 the plan of bombardment aviation.
aviation and balloons should be strongly attacked. Appendix No. 3 the plan of pursuit aviation.
Appendix No. 4 the plan of reconnassaince aviation.
II. SPECIAL MISSlONS OF E A.CH BRA.NCH OF AVIATION.
The plans for the utilization of aeronautical units with
(a) Bornbarcbnent.-Bombardments at medium distance the Army Artillery and with the Army Corps conform to
from the zone of attack, dealing with detraining and re- the general scheme and are prepared in detail by those
filling railheads, such as Metz, Chambley, Conflans, units.
Dommary, Baroncourt-Longuyon, bridges of the Meuse By command of Gen . P ershing:
between Dun and Sedan. H . A. DRUM,
Hostile posts of command . Important aviation fields, Chief of S tc~fl.
previously ordered by G-3. Official :
(b) Pui·suit.- WILLIAM MI'rCHELL,
(1) Aerial Division: Will destroy all hostile aviation Colonel, Air Serv·ice, United States Anny,
and b~lloons throughout the zone assigned to the Army Chief of A ir S ervice, First Arrny.
 15
THE PLAN OF BOMBARDMENT AVIATION.
HEADQUARTERS, AIR SERVICE, FIRST ARMY, (arrival of reinforcements and supplies of any nature).
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. Destruction of enemy aviation on its flying fields.
FRANCE, September 7, 1918. In order to avoid giving the enemy any intimation of
Fom •phases are to be considered: the coming attack, it is desired that the bombing opera-
1. Preparation.-Before the attack unti l th e time of tions be continued with their present normal activity
- artillery preparation. simply selecting the objectives named below.
2. During the artillery preparation.
3. Day of the attack.-On the day of the attack from th e :Means to employ.-Bombardment of the principal rail-
hom of the attack. road centers, points of forced passages leading to th e zone
4. Exploitation. of operations at great distances. Bombardment of enemy
1. PREPARATION- BEFORE THE ATTACK UN1'IL THE TIME ai.J:dromes occupied by bombardment and pursuit avia-
OF ARTILLERY PREPARATION. tion. In concentrating on these objectives the bom-
Object.-To hinder enemy concentration by railroads bardment aviation to b e employed is indicated below:

Object·ives. To be bombarded by- Orders of mission to be g\i ,en by- Reports on results to be addressed to-

Railroads:
15 Metz-Sablons. . . . ....... ,
17 Stations .............. . .. .
16 Thionville . .............. .
14 Bettemburg ............. .
20 Ehran~e. . .. . . ........ . General commanding First American
. 19 Teterchen. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Day and night British squadrons. Gen. Trenchard.......... ..... .. . { Army, Chief of Air Service, First
A1rdr}~daty .... .. ... ...... . .. I American Army, by Gen. Trenchard.
5 Frescaty .................. J
7 Boulay ..... . ........... . . .
6 Montoy ........... . .. .... .
9 Buhl.'.................... .
Railroads:
5 Longuyon . ............ ·· · l2 French night bombing groups
I
} fGeneralcommandingFirstArmy. G-2,
foc,~i:i".ic:Roman· · · · . · · (at Ep1ez and Chermisey), each Chief of Air Service, First American { G- 3, by Chief of Air Sesvico, F irst
2 \ ion ·· ·· · · · · J to. be under direct orders of the Army. l American Army.
5 B~ronCOWi ~: :- : -: :: : : :: First An1encan Army.
Rail roads:
3 Sedan.............
I
.. ... } F ch · ht b b' f F ch f . f th 'General commanding Fi,st Army,
1 Vouiiers b ridges from Dun 3 ren rug . om mg groups O ren group O armies O e ~ Chief of Air Service. F irst American
to Sedan....... .. . .. .. G.A.C. (1egrnn ofChalons). Center. L Armv,by commancting officer,G. •\.C.
I .
Airdromes:
3 Mars-la-Tour ... .......... .
9 Puxieux .............. . ... .
Railroads:
3 Sedan ... .. .............. .. General co=ancting First Army,
2 Meiieres .................. . 3 night bombing groups of the C. }Frenchgroupofarmiesofthecenter { Chief of Air Servic~, First American
4 Steney ................... . A. C. (region Chalons). Army by co=anding officer, general

l
1 Vouziers ... . ..... ........ .. co=anding.
Airdromes:
2 Mouzon ......... . ........ .
1 Malny .................... .
Sam~ targets as for above French ! The day bombing groups from a ( General co=anding First Army, G-2,
night bombing groups of the
G. A. C.
bri&ade of the French aerial Chief of French aerial division or
d1vtS10nassoonasthoyareready.
These groups will go over the
brigade
·
I
G-2,ChiefofAirSorvice.,FirstAmeri-
can Army by co=anamg officer of
the French aerial division or bri-
lines west of Verdun. gade.

2. DURING THE ARTILLERY PREPARATION. Means to employ.-Destruction of railroad centers and

Object.-To hinder transportation and detraining of
troops in zone of operations. Destruction of enemy avia-
tion on its flying fields . . But the present normal bombing
activity will be continued through this phase, in order to
adhere to the surprise element in tl_1e coming attack .
other points of forced passages (bridges on the Meuse · and
Moselle) around the zone of operations at average dis-
tances, and at the same time the concentration of troops
and supplies of all kinds.
 16
To attack the principal enemy airdromes as indicated below:

Objecli,es. To be bombarded by- Orders of mission to be given by- R eports on results to be addressed to-

Ra ilroads:
15 Metz-Sablons .. .... .. ... . .
17 Stations .. .. ... .... ..... . .
16 Thionville . .. ...... . ..... . . {-General commanding First Army;
18 Courecelles . . ............ . Brit ish day and night squadrons: }Gen . Trenchard ... . ............... Chief of Air Service, First American
Airdromes: 4 night and 3 day. Army by Gen. Trenchard.
5 F rescaty ... . .............. .
7 Boulay . ...... , ......... .. .
Rail~!~~:toy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1

~ t~~t~f~?ciur :: ::::::::: :::I

s Conflans.. ...... ..... .. ....
6 Do=ary-Baroncourt . .... '
1 Valleroy dump ......... ...
Airdromes:
1 J\Ialny. .. . . ...... ... ... .. . .
2 ·Mouzon .... __ ... . . ....... -1
3 Mars-la-'l'our . . ........... .
4 Puxieu.-x .. ................ .
2 French 1tight bombing groups

1
(Epiez and Chermisey) day Genera I commancling First Ameri-
bombing groups of the French ) can Army, through Chief of Air
aeria l brigade under the orders
of the First American Army.
Service, First American Arn1y.
IGeneral commanding First Army;
Chief of Air Service, First American
Army by the commanding officer of
night bombing groups and b y the
D . 0. of the French aerial cLivision
or brigade.

.
I
a. DAY OF THE ATTACK-ON THE DAY OF THE ATTACK bivouacs, etc.). reported by serial reconnaissances, by ob-
FROM THE HOUR OF THE ATTACK. servation posts, or seen by the bombers themselves. But
In general. the targets indicated hereafter, including \ the greatest emphasis should be given to the part relating
any important objectiYes such as troop concentrations or 1to the bombing of enemy P. C. 's, and also to aerial bombing
clumps of material (con centration of troops, col umns. 1 and fighting i n close liaison with our own i nfantry.

1
T o be bombarded by- I Or d ers o f m1ss10n
. · to b e given
· by- R eports on results to b caddressed to-

Railroads:
15 Metz-Sablons ............. } {General corrunanding F irst American
17 stations.. . . . .... .... .... . 3 British day bombing squadrons . Gen. Trenchard. . .. .... . ...... ... . Army. Cltief of Air Service, First
18 Courcelles. ... .. . . . . . . . . . . American Army, by Gen. Trenchard.
Dumps and troop concentrations: ·
12 Pagny-sur-Meselle. .. ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ . .... ... .. .
9 Mars-la-Tour.. . .. ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . .. . ... ...... .... .. . . . . . ..... . . ..... ... .
Dumps:
8 'fhiaucourt ......... . .... .
6 St. Je.-,n-lcs-Duzy .... .. ... .
10 Chambloy .. .. ........... .
7 Landres .................. . · !\ General commanding First Anny, G-~,
5 Dommary-Baroncourt.... . French aenal
day bombing squadrons of\ Chief of F rench \ erial Oidsion
bngade. J 1 • • • ••
G-3 .. Chief of Air Sen ,ice, . First
American Army, by commanding of-
3 Muzeray .................. . ficer of the .F~ench aerial di\ision or
l L oison: also an r t roop con-
centrations and posts of I brigade.
ooul.Illand or con1munica-
t ion centers that can be
located.

Night s:i,uadrons same general targets as day squadrons; also railroad centers where reserrns detrain.

4. EXPLOITATION. tive importance and in general should be bombed in that

order.
After the days of the attack, exploitation and continua- . The French bombing units will be furnished by the
tion of attack. First American Army with all the documents, maps, in-
Observations.-Here , too, special emph asis should be formation , and objectives, etc., which may be necessary
given to the part relating to the bombing of enemy P. C'., for them and which they may not have j.n th eir possession
gathering of troops. columns. etc .. in close liaison wi.th for the execution of their missions.
our infantry. Objectives will be determined according WILLIAM MITCHELL,
to situation at th e time being. Colonel, Air Service, United Stales Army,
The targets in each case are given in order of their rela- · Chief of Air Service, First Anny.

APPENDIX NO. 3. THE PLAN OF PURSUIT AVIATION.

HEADQUARTERS, AIR SERVICE, FIRST ARMY, pursuit group, Vancoulers North ; G. C. (French ) No.
- AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. lG, Vanroulers South; first clay bombardment group,
Amanty.
FRANCE, September 7, 1918.
COMPOSITION. ZONE OF ACTIO~.

First pursuit group, at Rembercourt under command of First pursuit group, between line Verdun-Bix-Etain,
Maj. Hartney; first pursuit wing of .three pursuit groups and line :Maj . Hartney ; Spada, H euclicou rt; first pursuit
and one day bombardment group under command of Maj. wing, between lines Spacla-Vigneulles, and line, Maj.
Athnson at Toul; second pursuit group, Toul ; third Atkinson:· Nancy, Solguz.

These units will be used to fulfill the missions pre-
scribed in the plan throughout the sector of the front
mentioned ahove.
The den~ity, the strength . th e altitude, th e general
mode of work of the patrols, will b e settled accorcling to
th e variations of activity of th e enemy, and according to
the missions whi ch have to be fulfi lled as set down in the
plan of employmen t .
STRENGTH HELD IN RESERVr. .
Maj. Atkinson will dra w from his wing a certain number
of sq uadrons and hold them in reserve. They ,vill be
used to vary th e density of aviation on any given point
of th e Army front according to the activity of hostile
aviation and th e situ ation: and also to outmaneuve~ hos-
tile aviation by operating alternately eastward or west-
wan.l.
LIAISO NS .
To that effect, :Maj. Atkinson v.·ill keep in close touch (Maj. Atk inson ), will operate in accor<lance with the
w~th:
1. First pursui t group at Rom.bercourt.
2. The Army Antiaircraft Sc~rvice.
3. The radio-goniometric service of the Army.
4. ·The Chiefs of Air Service of Army Corps.
5. The Chief o[ Air Service of th e Army .
6. The Army ohservation group.
B e will ask th ese uni ts, especiall y the Chiefs of Air Army.
Service of Army Corps, for all information concerning:
Activity of hostile aviation, locatjon of our lines, opera-
t ions going on throughout t h e sector, work do ne b y our
observation aviation, and what h elp can be given them. port.an t idormation about the en emy such as abnorm al
17
concerned , with antia.i.rcraft art.illery , and with the
Chiefs of Army Corps Air Service included in his si;ictor
of front, as prescribed for t he commanding officer, first
pursuit wing (Maj. AtkinsoD).
LIATRO:'< WLTH THE PURSUIT GRO UPS OF NEIGHBORING
ARM!E8.
The commanding offi cer, first pursuit wing (Maj . Atkin-
son), will be in li aisor with the pursuit group of the VIII
IFrench Army. The commanding offi cer of th e first p ur-
suit group (Maj. Hartney) ,vill be in liaison with the
pursuit group of the II French Army, _so as to asr.ertain
to what ex ten t and under what conrl1t1011s th ~se p~1rs~1L
groups are worktng on the flanks of the pursuit aviation
of th e first American Army .
ORDERS ISSUE D BY THE CHIEF OF AIR SERYICE .
The commanding officer, first pursuit group (Maj.
Ha.rtney), and the commanding officer, first pursuit wing
general plan ·without waiting fo r specific or det::liled
ord ers.
When necessary, special orders will b e issued by the
Chief of Air Servi ce iIJ the evening for the n ext clay or
during the d ay for immediate action.
When specially ord ered, a gen eral reserve will be h eld
. under the direct orders of the Chief of Air Service o[ the
I NF'ORM A'rIO N CONCER~ ING 'l'HE ENEMY.
During their fligh ts, pursuit pilots will gath er all im-

I
Be will transmit a ll orders issued antl information activity in enemy lines, all kinds of large convoys, im-
gathered h _v his wi1,g to: The Chiefs of Air, crvi ce of th e p ort.ant enemy formations, or accum ulations of material.
Army Corps, th e commanding offi cer of th e F rench Air Important info rmation o[ this nature will he sen t to the
D ivision (or to the com manding officer of lhe brigades), Chief of Air Servi ce of the Army for tran smission to G- 2.
the Chief of Air Service. \ ,vn,LIAM 1f rTcH r. r,L,
The commandiJJg officer of the first pursuit group (J\'.faj . · Colonel, Air Service, United States Army,
H artney) will maintain th e same liaison s as far as he is Chief of Air Service, First Army.

APPENDIX NO. 4. THE PLAN OF RECONNAISSANCE AVIATION.

HEADQUARTERS, AIR SERVICE, FIRST ARMY, Western limit : Etain, Spincourt.
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONA:3.Y FORCES. Eastern limit: Vigny, Courcelles, Boulay.
In principle, the reconnaissance beyond the line: Val-
FRANCE, September 7, 1918. les de la Seills, Metz, Conflans, Etain, will be mad e by
J. MEA NS. photography.
ARMY DAY RECONNAISSANCE. 3. OBJECTS OF RECONNAISSANCES AND ITINERARIES.
,
'Normal m eans : Two Army reconnaissance squadroDB
Will be d etermined by G- 2, which will send to the
under the command of Maj. R eynolds, at Gondreville.
commanding officer of the reconnaissance groups all the
Emergency m eaDB: Special d etails from the French useful documen ts and the maps of the intineraries.
Aerial Division.
NIGHT RECONNAISSANCE. 4, ORDERS OF MISSIONS AND SUMlliARIES.
Normal means: Details from night bombardment groups T he chiefs of the day and night reconnaissance grotrps
at E piez. One American squadron at Amauty, under will receive th eir orders of mission direct from G-2, and
the command of Maj. Vuillome at Epiez. (Branch in tel- will send their summaries to that office.
ligence officer at Amanty .)
5. EXECUTIO, OF THE MISSIONS .
2 . ZONE OF RECONNAISSANCE .
F IRST PHASE ( PREPARATION) .
Closest limit : Etain, Maiseray, Vigneulles, Rember-
court, sur-Mad, P agny," sur-Moselle, Vigny. The photographic reconnaissance will be made at a high
Farthest limit: Spincourt, Thionville, Boulay, altitude with camera 30 1 with magazine, and with a power-
 18
~ul lensed camera, in order to obtain tbe details of the j 6. SPECUL DISPOsr.rroxs. .
nnportant pomts. , I The summaries of the information c,athered will be sent
The Yisual day reconnaissance should start before day- to the following at the same time as fhey are sent to G-2:
break, in order to fly over the enemy lines at the first light The French Air Divi sion.
of the day, and. in order to R observe the
. end of. the nightd I The command
. er of theniaht
o bombardment o c,roups
.
movements ot the enemy. econna1ssance will be ma e The commander of the Armv reconnaissance c,roup
at the_ end of the day in order to obsen-e the beginning of (Maj. Reynolds). • 0

the mght movements. . The acronautique of the neighhoring armies : At Lahey-

. In th_e middle_ of the day the sun e1llance of the enemy
hues ,nil be mamly done by balloons, especially by those
of the .\.rmy .\.Tt1llery.
SECOXO PHASE (ARTILLERY PREPXRATIOX) .
Photographic reconnaissance _"ill 1.Je made in order to
notice the destruction caused m t~e zone of the. Army
reconnaissance ( either by gun°:· by an~lane), 01' the impor-
tant i:novements or concentrations which could be taken
as obJect1ves by the bombardment aviation.
Visual night Teconnaissance will he ma~e, when neces-
sary, at low altitude m oTder to determine exactly the
direction and the importance of the movements, the
strength of the enemy troops, and to observe the moYe-
ments of retreat.
Command rcco~naissance.-On_e flight will be kept in
reserve at the. clispo al ~f G-3 . ill orde_r. to ?erfor~ com-
mand_ reconna1ssan_ces (u~ediate_venfication of 1mp?r-
tant mformat1on, immediate seekmg out of any special
information requested by G-3).
THIRD PrrAsE (A'rTACK-FIRST AND sccoNo DAYS).
. . .·. . . . . .
Frequent , isual rnconnaissanc?s at low: altitude will be
made in order to keep constant mformat1on of the aspect
of the enemy sector, mainly hetween the line les Eparge,
Fey-on-Haye (Pont-a-1\fousson), and the hne Armaville,
C'onflaus, Etain, in order to determine lhe important de-
trainments, concentration_s. convoys, bivouacs, the clirec-
tion of mo\·omout and d1spo~itions of the cmemy.
FOU RTH PH.lSE (FOLLOWTi\'G UI' TILE .\TT.\ CKS).
The mode of employment oI reconnaissance aviation
will be determined according to the situation after the
attack.
court; at Flayigny.
The important and urgent messages will be dropped at
the .\.rmy dropping ground 2! kilometers southeast of
Ligny-en-Barrois, by the reconnaissance airplanes when
they retmn. These messages "ill be confirmed after-
I wards in the usual summary.
Reports of enemy movements, etc., requiring immediate
action 11ill be 1nade by the most direct means of communi-
cation directly to G-3, Army headquarters.
WrLLu~r MI'.l.'CllELL
Colonel, Air Service, United States .A.1'my,
Chief of Air Service Jilirst Army.
'
IIEADQUARTERS, AIR SERYIOE, FIRST ARMY,
Al1ERICAN EXPEDITIO-:\TARY FORCES.
Circular.] FRANCE, September 8, 1918.
1 The Chief of Staff, Fil'st Army, has approved the follow ·
ing method of command for all Air Service unit~ belonging
01: attached to the First Army .
l. All tactical missions for any branch of the Army Air
Service will be given to the Chief of Air Service, First
. I Army, for execution . 1'his includes: All American uni ts
or French units attached to the Army, the French night
bombardment win()' the French Air Di,ision.
2. 'fhe repoTts ~f missions sent to the Chief of Air
Service which contain matters of interest and infoTma-
tion to ~he seveml staff sections "ill be forwarded direct
by him to the officer or officers concerned .
3. G- 2 will give all orders for reconuaissanee direet to
the Arn1._y reconnais~ance units and will receive the
reports direct of the reconnaissance it orders.
WILLIA~! l\lITCHELL,
Colonel, Air Service, United States Army,
I Commanding Air Service, First Army.

ANNEX NO. 4 (FIELD ORDERS NO. 20). PLAN OF EMPLOYMENT OF AIR SERVICE UNITS, FIRST
AMERICAN ARMY.
ITEADQUARTERS, AIR SERYICE, FIRST AR}IY, hindered. This will be insmed by placing an absolute
A:\IERICA~ EXPEDITIO.\"ARY FORCES. barrage over the front, from and including the :Meuse on
the east. to and including La Hazaroe on the west.
li'RANCE, September 17, 1918. 3. All information necesrnry in the preparation of the
1. PLAN OF E)1PLOY~IEXT. attack, especially for the Artillery preparation, 11ill be
gathered . Particular care will be taken that the suspi-
This ,\ill consist of four stag-cs, as follows: cions of tho enemy are not aroused. These missions will
A. PTeparation until day of attack. be accomplished by-
B. During the Artillery preparation. (a) Army reconnaissance aviation-photographic and
C. During the attack. visual missions .
D. Exploitation. (b) Army Corps and A.r my Artillery aviation- photo-
A. PREPARATION UNTIL DAY OF ATTACK. gr:;,phic and vi ual missions, ordered by the ATmy Corps
and Army Artillery commanders. '
l . Surprise, being a factor in the success of the opera- (c) Night reconnaissance a,iation--visual reconnais-
tion, the utmost secrecy will be observed in movements sance carried out at night to obtain information of the
aud concentration of Air Service Units.. movements and concentrations of enemy forces .
2. IIo3tile reconnaissance aYiation will be prevented 4. Bombardment aviation, both day and night, will
from entering our lines and the work of hostile balloons continue tc, be employed in a normal manner.
 19
The above missions will be carried· out so as to change (c) Night reconn,iissauce: 1Vill carry out visnal recon-
as little as posoible the usual aspect of the sector. naissance as pres<:ribed.
B. DURING THE ARTILLERY PREPARATION. C. DURIXG TIIE AT'l'ACK.

1. PURSUIT.
The same general employment as prescriber] in B. The
offensiYe will be taken and maintained at all pointB and
(a) The fir~t pmcinit wing (four groups), will insme an under all conclitioPs.
absolute barrage of the front and protect our observation
D . EXPLOIT\'l'!O'i .
aviation at every altitude from the Meuse inclusive on
the east to La Hazaroe inclusive on the west; pre·Yent The offensive will be maiutained, based on tho progress
enemy aYiation from attacking through the "\Yoevre and of the attack and the situation at the time, with the par~
will attack concentration of enemy troops, convoys, ticular object in view of destroying the enemy's air service,
enemy aviation and balloons. attacking his troops on the ground, and protecting our
(b) Purauit aviation, French Aerial Division, will be so own air and ground troops .
di~posed as to protect our right flank and front in case of II. Four co=and a~rplanes will be held at the disposal
an attack . of G-5, commencing at daylight on the day of the beginning
. 2 . DAY BOMBARO)IENT AYL\.TION.
of theartillervpreparation. Theseairplaueswill i:i.e located
Will attack concentrations of enemy troops, convoys, on the Souilly airdrome.
and aviation; railroad stations, command posts, and I III. Appendices: Appendix No. 1 shows the distri-
dumps. bution of the ail- forces; appenrl.ix No. 2 shows the plan
3. NIGnT BO)IBARD'1ENT AVl.ATrox . of reconnaissance aviation : appendix No. 3 shows the
'Nill attack railroad stations and trains, troop concentra- plan of bombardment aviation.
tions, ammunition dumps, and enemy airdromes. The plans for the utilization of aeronautical uni.ts with
,. REco:i.x,ussA:::-CE AVUTION . I
the Army Artillery and with the Army Corps conform to
the general scheme and are prepared in detail by those
_(a) Army reconu'.tissanc~ : Will c~rry out long distance units.
rmss1ons, both photograplnc and vISual. B y commancl or Gen T •
PersJ1·1·n",,.
(b) Army Corps and Army Artillery: 1Yill carry ont the ' N . A. DRUJI,
missions, both photographic and visual, prescribed by the ClriPf of Staff.
Army Corps and Army Artillery commanders, inclu :ling: Official:
The observation and results of artillery firt>; liaison with I \'i' cLTLUI Jlf1TCHEI.L, ·
Infantry: i nformatim't of the enemy o( benefit to the higher Colonel, .dir Sen:ict, Unitrd States A.rm!f.
command. \ Chief of A-ir Scrrii:r, First Anny .

APPENDIX NO. 1. OBSERVATION PLAN-UNDER BATTLE lNSTRUCTIONS-NO. 2.

L. The enC'my can, in ad,li tion to reading on the front.
atia<'k. do the following:
(u) On the r-ight bank of the )fouse he <'an engage re-
sNves whic·h he always h'.l.s in the area Dau1viller~-711an-
giennes ia or<ler to attack r:ither on the Ifauts do Meuse or
by ,[ebouching from the Fore~t of Spincourt.
(b) Ou the left hank of the Meuse attempt an attack as a
diversion or take away reserves from this part of the front
and transport them to the right bank .
(c) Bring up reserves on both sides of the river from
other _parts of the front.
2. In consideration of the above the following onserva-
tions will be ea1·ried out:
(a) On the r·ight bank there must be c·on~lant observa-
(e) OhserYahon of the ,-ro~:;in~:; oyer the \feuse arc inJ.is-
pensal,le.
3. To ('!ll"ry out the foregoing plan the following inslrnc-
tions "·ill govC'rn:
(a, Obsen·ation sr1uadronH of the re3peC'th-e corps 11·ill
be responsiole before operations for a depth of 8 kilo-
meters. Boun,laries are indicated on map attached h ereto .
During operations corps units will not go beyond a depth
of 5 kilometers unless they are provided with pursuit pro-
tect.ion .
(b) Enemy front lines will be photographed by corps
machines at every opportunity. Prinis or such photos
will he sent to Army dropping ground hy airplane <lelivery.
(c)
0
rmy ohservalio,1 unit~ w.ill oo-erve the area bounded
,\

tion of the area north of Fore~t of Rpinrourt.. on attarhc<l map hy tl1e single grern linC', rarrying out the
(b) In acl<lition, reconnaissanr-es ca.-rie<l ont OYt'l' 1font- mi~s.ion~ i11<lieale,l in paragraph No. ~ aboYe.
mecly, Lcmgu:,-on, Spin<·onrt, Audun-le-Roman woul,! (cl) The necesR:Hy steps will he t:.ken to ser-urn the co-
give notice of any arrival and unloading or reserves which operation of the obsen-at.ion ervice oI the Four1h and
might be brought. from other part~ of the front. Eigh1h French Armie~.
(!') On the ldt. bank of the :\Ieuse there must be co1rntant 'i'.'rLLllY Ilo 11· ELL,
observation of the area Dun, Romagne, sours-.\Ioutfaucon, Lieutenant Colonel, G. S.,
Charpentry, \'ilosnes, in order to watch the possible moYe- A. C. of S., {f-2 .
ment of troops or concentration. Approved:
(d) In addition, reconnaissances must he pushed along W~r. :\frl'Cl!ELL,
the Mouzon-Dun and 1[ou7,0n-St. JuYin railroads in order Colonel. _.J ir Seri ice.
to determine i[ any unloading has taken plac-c. C/,irf of Air Scr,,fre .
 20
APPENDIX III. PLAN OF BOMBARDMENT AVIATION.
SEPTEMBER, 18, 1919. L PREPARATION.
Four phases are to be considered. Object: To hinder the arrival of en emy troops and
1. Preparation.-Covering the period from this date supplies in the sector to be attacked. Destruction of
until the time of artillery preparation. enemy aviation on its airdromes and parks .
2. During the artillery preparation. As absolute secrecy must be observed, there will be no
heavy concentration of bombing, consequently, with the
3. During the attack. limited means available, the various targets indicated
4. E xploitation. herewith will be bombed in t urn.

ObjectiYes. To be bombed by- By 1order of- Reports of results, etc., to be addressed

to-

Railroad centers:
Longuyon ..... .. . . .. .. ..... · 1
Stenay . . .. . . . .. ... . . . . ... . . . C. G., First Army.
Mo~tmedy . . ...... . ......... Am erican day bombing group of }e . A. S., First Army ..... . .. . . . . ··· l e . S., First Army.
ea11guan . . . . .. . .... .... .. . . . 3 squadrons. G- 2.
Mouzon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G~l.
Vouziers ... . .. . .. .".. . . ..... . e. of A. bye. A. S. , F irst Army.
Lumes ............. . .. . . . .. .
Airdromes and parks: l e . G., First Army.
Malmy .... ... ..... . .... . . . . .
Mouzon. .. .... . . . . . . . .......
}2 French night bombing groups · }e A
(at E picz and ehennisey ).
F·r t Am 8 e . s., Flrst Army.
· · ·• 1 s r Y · • · · · · · · · · · · · · • G- 2.
G- 3.
e. of A . bye. A . S., First Army.

2. DURING THE ARTILLERY PREPARATION. I Such of the following targets will be selected as are found
. . \ to be the most important as shown by reconnaissances
Object: To harass the ene~y by attacking his troop made at the t ime.
concentrations, convoys, stations, command posts, and
dumps; to hinder his movement of t roops and to destroy
his aviation on the ground .

Objectives. '.l.'o bo bomhed by- By order of- R eports or results, etc., to be add ressed
to--

rrroop con centrat-ions 1 and con-

v oys whrrnver found in a zone American day bombi ng group of } {e . G. · First Army.
a pproximately 10 to 30 kilo- } 3 sq uad rons. e . S. A. , First ,\.rmy...... . . . . .. . . G- 2. ·
. G- 3.
meters ba~k or t he lines. l3y e . A. S.., First Army.
Dumps, railheads, camps, and
com111a1id oost~ :
1. B rieulles s/~feusr . . ................ . .............. . ..... .. ......... . . .... . ..... ... . . .. . .. . . .... .. .
2: R omagnes/Monifacon .. . ....... ... .•......• . ...... ........ .. . ........ . . . •. .. ...... . ... . .. ... .... .
~- T ermes Grand P re . . ... . ........... . .. . ....... ... ..... . . ... ... . ...............•. .. ....... .. .... ..
4. St. Jnvin . . ....... .. . ... ............ .... . .. ... . . . .. ... ........ . . . .. , . .... . . .. ..•. .. . .. . ...... ... ..
5. Briguenay ........... . ... .. . ... . . .. . . . ............... . ... . .. . . . . ... . . .. . ... . ... . .. .. ....... . .. .. . .
6. Hauricourt . ........... . . .. ..... . .. . ........... . .............. .. ...... . .................... . ..... .
7. Dun-Doulcom ..... . . ..... . ... . ..... . .. . . . . .. .. ..... .. .. . ... . . . . . ... . ... . . . .. .. . .... . . .... . . ..... .
8. Saulmoy . . . .. . ...... . ......... .. ... . . .. ........ . ... . ........................ . ............ . ...... .
Railroad centers:
Stenay
Vouziers· · .......
· · · · · · · .. · · · · · · · ·..· .· ·. }2 F rench rn·ght , bom b"m g gr oup s · · e , A , S., F'1·st
· · ....... 1 Army - ··· . •... . .....
Alrdromes aI1d park:
Moumn ............ . .. . .. . ... .. . . .. .... .. . ..... . . . .... .. .. . ... .... ......... . .. . .. . .... . ......... . .. .
Malmy ...... . .. . ...... . .. .. . ...... . . . .... ... . ... . .. . . . ... . . . . .. . . .. . .. . ... . ...... .. . . ... . .. . .. .. ... .

3. DURING TIIE ATTACK. 4. EXPLOITATION.

Object: (a) To prevent the anival of reserves; (b) to As dictated by the progress of the attack and situation
break up counter attacks; (c) to harass the enemy in the at the time.
withdrawal of his troops and material ; (d) to destroy his F. P. LAHM,
aviation on the ground. 'rarget s will be the same as those Colonel, Air Service.
dming the artillery preparation, selecting the ones found 0:ffi.cial :
to be the most important as shown by visual and photo- WILLIAM MITCHELL,
graphic reconnaissances m ade at the time. Orders for Colonel, Air Service, United States Army,
mis3ions "l'iill be transmitted by G- 3 through the Com· Chief of Air Service, First Army.
mancler Air Service and reports on Tesults made as in the
preceding phases.
 21
BATTLE ORDERS NO. 17.
HEADQUARTERS AIR SERVICE, FIRST ARMY, Particular attention will be paid to the movement of
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. enemy reserves from east to west.
(d) The Army Artillery group (Tastevin) will execute
FRANCE, October 7, 1918.
the observation ordered by the Artillery to which it is
1. The offensive of the allied armies is being main- attach ed. Important information involving immediate
tained. The front of the First Army has advanced in the action will be sent diJ·ect to the Commander Air Servi ce,
Argonne Forest. Our Air Service continues to dominate First Army.
the German aviation, notwithstanding the fact that it has (e) The First pursuit wing (Atkinson ) will cover the
been largely reinforced . The line of battle on the front front of attack of the Seventeenth French Army Corps
of the First Army from the left of the Moselle River to the with h eavy barrages at low, medium, and high altit ud es
right of the Seventeenth Corps is located as formerly·. to a depth of 5 kilometers into the enemy's territory.
From Beaumont-Samogneux to R egneville. The line west The air will be cleared of enemy aircraft and balloons ,
of the Meuse River extends from west bank of Meuse River and our own observation airplanes and balloons will be
to point 1 kilometer south east of Brieuiles-Southwest, protected. This barrage will be in place over the line a t
alon~ northern ed~e of Bois de Brieulles, Bois de Faye, daylight October 8.
Bois des Ogans, south ern edge Bois Cunel, one-h'.tlf kilo- One pursuit group will be held in reserve ready to
meter north of Gesnes, Ilill 269, Fleville, Chatel Cheh ery, attack a concentration of th e enemy air servi ce, his ground
n orth of La Viergette-West to end of sector. · troops, convoys, or trains, with bombs and machine guns.
2. The First Army will seize the h eights east of the The group will b e ready to leave the ground within 15
Meuse River, which are occupied by about three German minutes after the receipt of the order.
divisions. The Seventeenth French Corps will conduct The day bombardment group wi ll attack Damv1llers at
t he attack with four divisions east of the Meuse River and daylight October 8. Orders for subsequent attacks will
one di-vision west of the Meuse River, which will cross t h e be given on the. morning of October 8.
river toward the ea.st. H our is 5--h , October 8, 1918. Close liaison wi ll be maintained by the first pursuit
Seven and one-half observation squadrons and five bal- wing (Atkinson ) with the Corps Air Services to keep track
loons have been placed at the disposition of the Seven- of the exact position of the line, the Army observation
teenth French Corps for t h e attack. D etachments of the group, the antiaircraft Artillery, and the fast pursuit
French Aerial Division will assist in the operation. group (Hartpey).
3. The Air Service wi,11 take the offensive at all points Prompt report of enemy dispositions will be sent to the
o ver the fron t of the attack and will maintain a protective Commander Air Service, First Army.
barrage west of the Meuse River to the Argonne Forest. (j) The first pursuit group (Hartney) will cover the front
The enemy's air service will be destroyed , his ground of the First Army between the Me use River at BrienlleB,
troops will be attacked, and our own au: and ground troops ex:clusi ve------Romagne,· Cha tel Chehery, inclusive . Enemy
will be protected. , aircraft attacking this line will be d estroyed and the Corps
4. (a) The Army Corps sectors will (!oincide with t h e Air Services protected. Special protec tion will be gi ven
front of their respective corps and will include an overlap for d eep photographic missions. Close liaison will be
of 2 kilometers on their neighboring corps to righ t and left. maintained with the Corps Air Ser vi ces, the :first p ursuit
P articular attention will be paid by the Air Services of the wing (Atkinson), and the antiaircraft Artillery. Prompt
Fifth Corps and Second Colonial Corps to close liaison with report of enemy dispositions will be sent to the C. A. S.,
the Seventeenth Corps during the attack. 'l'he depth of First Army.
the reconnaissance sector for t h e Seventeenth Corps will (g) The ni~ht bombardment group (Villome) wil l uttack
be 5 kilometers. In case of good weather special protec- Longuyon, Auduu le Roman, Conftans. All railroad lines
tion by the fast pursuit group will be given for photo- running from Thionville and Metz west to the Meuse
graphic missions of the Fu·st and Fifth Corps to a depth of River will be reconnoitered. Particular attention will be
10 kilometers. The ThiJ·d Corps will combine its photo- paid to the r econnaissance of night bombing airdromes, to
graphic work with that of the Fifth Corps on October 8, determine whether they are occupied or not. Prompt
by mutual understanding between the chiefs of the corps reports will be sent to the C. A. S., First Army.
Air Services concerned. (h) The commander of Army balloons will assure the
(b) The Fu·st Army observation group (Reyn olds) will proper technical control of the balloon companies that
cover the same sector as in Battle Orders No. 7. Pa1tic- their work i s so coordinated, that they are read y at all
ular attention will be p~id to the movement of enemy times to move forward with the troops, and t hat sufficient
reserves from west to eb.st along the front of the First reserves of balloons, gas, and accessories are at hand.
Army west to the Me use River, and to any movem ents 5. The Army dropping ground is at a point 3 kilometerE
toward the front of attack east of the Meuse River: Recon- west-northwest of Souilly. The Army landing fie ld i s at
naissances will b e made both by clay and by night. Four the Souilly airdrome.
command airplanes will take post at the airdrome Souilly 6. Reports will reach the Chief of Ai1: Service at P. C.
and report to the C. A. S ., First Army, in time to work Air Ser vice, First Arm y, Souilly.
at 7--00H, October 8, 1918. A liaison officer from each Corps Air Service west of t he
(c) The Second French Army observation group will Meuse, from the aernnautical commander, Second French
cover th e sector specified in 4 (b) Battle Orders No. 7. Army, and from each wing or independent gro up of the
 22
Air Service, will report at the P. C. Chief of .Air Service,
First Army, at 21--00H each day to receive orders.
A liaison officer from the night bombardment group
(Villome) will report ai P . C. Chief of Air Service, First
Army, at 16--00H each clay to receive orders.
7. The equipment section will reconnoiter the front for
advanced airclromes, be ready to equip them, and will
insw·e the supply and movement of any units required .
1r.\r. MITCHELL.
Copies by an officer to-
Chief of Air Service, American Expeditionary
Forces.
Chief of Air Service, First Army.
Chief of Staff, First Army.
G-2, First Army.
G-3, First Army.
Chief of Artillery, First Army.
Chief of Air Service, Second French .Army.
Chief of Air Service, Eighth French Army.
Chief of Air Service, Fomth French Army.
Independent Air Force, R . A. F.
Commanding offic€f, French Aerial Division.
Commanding officer, corps observation wing, First
Army.
Chief of Air Service, Second French Colonial Corps.
Commanding officer, first pursuit wing.
Commanding officer, first pursuit group.
Commanding officer, Army obserrntion group, First
Army.
Co=ancling officer, French night bombardment
group.
Commanding officer, Army artillery obserYation
group.
Chief of Air Service, Sernnteenth French Ar1;lly
Corps.
Chief of Air Service, Second French Colonial Corps.
Chief'of Air Service, First Army Corps. '
Chief of Air Service, 'rhird s\.rmy Corps.
Chief of Air Service, Fomth Army Corps.
Chief of .lir Service, Fifth Army Corps.
,
 23

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