Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a

The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5

 A British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War.

It was developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory by a team consisting of Henry Folland and  John Kenworthy, and Major Frank Goodden.

It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war, while being both stable and relatively manoeuvrable.

According to aviation author Robert Jackson, the S.E.5 was: “the nimble fighter that has since been described as the Spitfire of World War one.

In most respects, the S.E.5 had superior performance to the rival Sopwith Camel, although it was less immediately responsive to the controls.

Problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S 8B-powered early versions, meant that there was a chronic shortage of the type until well into 1918.

Thus, while the first examples had reached the Western Front before the Camel, there were fewer squadrons equipped with the S.E.5 than with the Sopwith fighter.

Together with the Camel, the S.E.5 was instrumental in regaining Allied air superiority in mid-1917 and maintaining it for some time, ensuring there was no repetition of “Bloody April” 1917 when losses in the Royal Flying Corps were much heavier than in the Luftstreitkrafte.  

The S.E.5s remained in RAF service for some time following the Armistice that ended the conflict; some were transferred to various overseas military operators, while a number were also adopted by civilian operators.

Tirpitz the Pig Mascot of World War One

Tirpitz the Pig Mascot

In March 1915, the German light cruiser SMS Dresden was scuttled during the battle of Battle of Más a Tierra just off the coast of Chile.

Most of the crew managed to escape, along with a pig who had been kept on board to supply meat.

The pig had managed to swim away from the sinking SMS Dresden and was rescued by an officer of the British ship HMS Glasgow
.

Originally named Dennis, the pig was adopted by the crew as HMS Glasgow’s official mascot and eventually renamed Tirpitz
after German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz (1849-1930). When the ship returned to Britain, Tirpitz took up residence at the Royal Navy’s zoo on Whale Island in Portsmouth.

Tirpitz, however, proved to be a rather rebellious prisoner of war, and after breaking
into a chicken run, she was rehomed and eventually auctioned by the Red Cross, raising 400 guineas for the charity after she passed.

Corporal Jackie the Baboon

Coperal Jackie the Baboon

Jackie was a chacma baboon who was found and adopted as a baby byAlbert Marr (1889-1973), at his family farm just outside Pretoria, South Africa.

When Marr joined the 3rd South African Infantry Regiment in 1915, he asked whether he could take
Jackie with him, to which the officer commanding the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Francis Thackeray (1870-1956), agreed.

Jackie was well trained and, having been reared by Marr, had developed a remarkably human-like personality, making him popular among the regiment’s men.

He joined the regiment in drill as they trained (holding a wooden rifle and learning to salute as required.
As the men formally enlisted, Jackie was adopted as the regiment’s official mascot, receiving his own
specially fitted uniform and even a pay book.

The regiment saw active service in Egypt and on the Western Front, where Jackie accompanied Private Marr wherever he went

It was said that when Marr was on sentry duty, Jackie was able to give a warning of enemy action with his keen vision and hearing.
During the German Spring Offensive in 1918, the South African 
Infantry Brigade suffered a large number of casualties, of which Jackie was one.

He received medical treatment, but unfortunately, had to have his leg amputated.

Nevertheless, Jackie and Marr survived the war, and upon their return to Britain, Jackie was promoted to corporal.

Like many animals, Jackie’s fame was put to good use, as he and Marr toured with the Red Cross to raise funds for the charity.