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Major Charles Bazeley, a Royal Artillery officer, was instrumental in establishing the first dedicated AOP units.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material explicitly credits Major Charles Bazeley of the Royal Artillery with establishing the first dedicated air observation post units, initiating this role in France in early 1940.
The initial development of the AOP role occurred in the United Kingdom during 1939.
Answer: False
Explanation: The initial development of the Air Observation Post (AOP) role took place in France during February 1940, not in the United Kingdom in 1939.
The German blitzkrieg offensive in 1940 led to the abandonment of early AOP development work in France.
Answer: True
Explanation: The rapid advance of the German blitzkrieg offensive in May 1940 necessitated the withdrawal of Major Bazeley's unit from France, thereby interrupting the nascent development of the AOP role in that theater.
General Alan Brooke ordered the disbandment of the AOP flight upon its return to the UK.
Answer: False
Explanation: General Alan Brooke, Commander in Chief Home Forces, intervened to prevent the disbandment of the AOP flight after its return to the UK, thereby securing its continuation and future development.
Who is credited with establishing the first dedicated air observation post units for the British Army?
Answer: Major Charles Bazeley
Explanation: Major Charles Bazeley of the Royal Artillery is credited with establishing the first dedicated air observation post units, initiating this development in France in early 1940.
In which country and during what year did the initial development of the AOP role take place?
Answer: France, 1940
Explanation: The initial development of the Air Observation Post (AOP) role occurred in France during February 1940.
What event significantly interrupted the early development of the AOP role in France?
Answer: The German blitzkrieg offensive.
Explanation: The German blitzkrieg offensive in May 1940 forced the early AOP development unit to withdraw from France, significantly interrupting its work.
How was the AOP concept saved from disbandment after returning to the UK?
Answer: The intervention of General Alan Brooke, Commander in Chief Home Forces.
Explanation: General Alan Brooke, Commander in Chief Home Forces, intervened to prevent the disbandment of the AOP flight upon its return to the UK, thus preserving the concept.
What was the primary reason for the development of dedicated AOP units separate from standard Army co-operation squadrons?
Answer: The high losses and unsuitability of aircraft like the Westland Lysander for combined roles.
Explanation: The development of dedicated AOP units was driven by the high losses and unsuitability of aircraft like the Westland Lysander for combined Army co-operation roles, necessitating a specialized approach focused on observation and artillery spotting.
The Westland Lysander was considered highly suitable for Army co-operation duties at the start of World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Westland Lysander, while the standard Army co-operation aircraft at the start of World War II, proved highly vulnerable and unsuitable for its role, suffering significant losses during the Battle of France.
The Auster aircraft was favored for AOP roles due to its high speed and heavy armament.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Auster aircraft was favored for AOP roles not for high speed or heavy armament, but for its low speed, high maneuverability, small size, and light weight, which were advantageous for observation and operating at low altitudes.
The Westland Lysander was replaced by the Auster because the Lysander was too slow for its role.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Westland Lysander was replaced by the Auster primarily due to its high vulnerability and unsuitability demonstrated by heavy losses, rather than simply being too slow. The Auster offered better characteristics for the AOP role.
Which aircraft was the standard for Army co-operation squadrons at the beginning of World War II, and what was its performance like?
Answer: The Westland Lysander, which proved highly vulnerable in combat.
Explanation: At the start of World War II, the Westland Lysander was the standard aircraft for Army co-operation squadrons. However, it proved highly vulnerable and unsuitable for its role, suffering significant losses.
Why was the Westland Lysander deemed unsuitable for Army co-operation duties during World War II?
Answer: Its high loss rate during the Battle of France demonstrated its vulnerability.
Explanation: The Westland Lysander was deemed unsuitable due to its high loss rate during the Battle of France, which highlighted its vulnerability in combat operations and led to its withdrawal from frontline Army co-operation roles.
Which of the following aircraft was primarily used by British AOP units during World War II and considered suitable for the role?
Answer: Auster (various marks)
Explanation: The Auster, in its various marks, was the aircraft predominantly used by British AOP units during World War II and was considered highly suitable for the role due to its specific characteristics.
What characteristics made the Auster aircraft particularly suitable for the AOP role?
Answer: Low speed, high maneuverability, small size, and light weight.
Explanation: The Auster's suitability for the AOP role stemmed from its low speed, high maneuverability, small size which aided concealment, and light weight, making it an effective platform for observation and close support.
By 1942, the British had established over ten dedicated AOP squadrons.
Answer: False
Explanation: By 1942, only three dedicated Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons (651, 652, and 653) had been established. The number of squadrons expanded significantly later.
Pilots in AOP units were typically drawn from the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Answer: False
Explanation: A distinguishing characteristic of AOP units was that their pilots were exclusively drawn from the Royal Artillery, ensuring a close integration with ground forces, while the RAF provided technical support.
Casualty rates for AOP pilots were higher than those for RAF pilots during World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: Casualty rates for Air Observation Post (AOP) pilots were generally lower compared to those of Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots or infantrymen, indicating a relatively lower risk profile for the AOP role.
During the Korean War, aircrew for the AOP flights operating in mainland Korea were primarily RAF personnel.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite the AOP flights operating from mainland Korea being RAF units, the aircrew were primarily Royal Artillery officers, maintaining the tradition of Army personnel in these roles.
Who typically served as the pilot for dedicated Air Observation Post (AOP) units in the British Army?
Answer: Officers drawn directly from the Royal Artillery.
Explanation: A key organizational distinction was that pilots for dedicated Air Observation Post (AOP) units were drawn directly from the Royal Artillery, ensuring close integration with ground forces.
By 1942, how many dedicated AOP squadrons had the British established?
Answer: Three
Explanation: By 1942, three dedicated Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons had been established: Squadrons 651, 652, and 653.
What was a primary organizational difference between AOP units and typical Army co-operation squadrons?
Answer: AOP pilots were drawn from the Royal Artillery, whereas AC pilots were typically RAF.
Explanation: A key organizational difference was that Air Observation Post (AOP) pilots were drawn from the Royal Artillery, whereas pilots in typical Army co-operation (AC) squadrons were usually from the Royal Air Force (RAF).
How did the casualty rates for AOP pilots generally compare to those of other military aircrew?
Answer: Relatively low compared to RAF pilots or infantrymen.
Explanation: Casualty rates for Air Observation Post (AOP) pilots were generally relatively low when compared to those of Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots or infantrymen.
Who comprised the aircrew for the AOP flights operating in mainland Korea, despite them being RAF units?
Answer: Primarily Royal Artillery officers.
Explanation: Although the Air Observation Post (AOP) flights operating from mainland Korea were RAF units, the aircrew were primarily Royal Artillery officers, maintaining the tradition of Army personnel in these roles.
Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft were exclusively operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and primarily tasked with reconnaissance missions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source material indicates that Air Observation Post (AOP) units were primarily operated by the Royal Artillery, not exclusively by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Furthermore, their principal function was artillery spotting, although reconnaissance was also a component of their duties.
The primary function of an Air Observation Post (AOP) is to provide close air support by attacking ground targets.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary function of an Air Observation Post (AOP) was to act as an artillery spotter, directing ground-based artillery fire or calling in tactical ground-attack aircraft, rather than directly attacking ground targets itself.
Auster AOP aircraft typically flew at high altitudes to minimize the risk of ground fire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Auster AOP aircraft typically flew at very low altitudes, around 30 feet above the ground, as a tactic to evade enemy fighters and utilize terrain for cover, rather than flying at high altitudes.
Crashes into obstacles like trees and poles were a significant risk associated with the low-flying tactics of AOP aircraft.
Answer: True
Explanation: The low-altitude flying tactics employed by AOP aircraft, while effective for evasion, posed a significant risk of collision with ground obstacles such as trees, poles, and hills.
A specific combat loss for AOP aircraft occurred when they were hit by outgoing shells from their own artillery.
Answer: True
Explanation: During intense bombardments, Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft faced the hazard of being struck by outgoing shells fired by friendly artillery, leading to combat losses in some instances.
AOP crew members could act as forward observation officers, directing artillery or calling in ground-attack aircraft.
Answer: True
Explanation: A key role of AOP crew members was to act as forward observation officers, responsible for directing artillery fire or requesting air support from ground-attack aircraft.
What was the primary role of an Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft?
Answer: Acting as an artillery spotter to direct ground-based artillery fire.
Explanation: The primary role of an Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft was to serve as an artillery spotter, identifying ground targets and directing artillery fire via radio, or calling in tactical ground-attack aircraft.
What was the standard tactic employed by Auster AOP aircraft to evade enemy fighters?
Answer: Flying at very low altitudes, around 30 feet above the ground.
Explanation: The standard tactic for Auster AOP aircraft to evade enemy fighters was to fly at very low altitudes, typically around 30 feet above the ground, utilizing terrain for cover.
Which of the following was a significant risk associated with the low-flying tactics used by AOP aircraft?
Answer: Crashes into ground obstacles like trees and poles.
Explanation: The low-flying tactics employed by AOP aircraft posed a significant risk of collision with ground obstacles such as trees, poles, hills, and buildings.
What specific hazard sometimes caused combat losses for AOP aircraft during intense bombardments?
Answer: Being hit by outgoing shells from friendly artillery.
Explanation: During intense bombardments, Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft faced the specific hazard of being hit by outgoing shells fired by their own artillery, leading to combat losses.
The image caption from the Tunisian campaign (1942-43) shows an AOP aircraft being prepared for a bombing run.
Answer: False
Explanation: The image caption from the Tunisian campaign (1942-43) depicts personnel removing camouflage from an AOP aircraft, not preparing it for a bombing run.
After World War II, an AOP flight operated during the Vietnam War.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source material indicates that after World War II, an AOP flight operated during the Malayan Emergency and was subsequently redeployed to the Korean War, not the Vietnam War.
During the Korean War, British forces used their own Auster aircraft exclusively for AOP duties.
Answer: False
Explanation: While British forces utilized Auster aircraft for AOP duties in Korea, they also received a loaned Cessna L-19 from the US Army, which was found to be superior. Therefore, Austers were not used exclusively.
The image caption from the Tunisian campaign (1942-43) depicts what action involving an AOP aircraft?
Answer: Personnel removing camouflage from the aircraft.
Explanation: The image caption from the Tunisian campaign (1942-43) illustrates personnel removing camouflage from an Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft, indicating preparation for operational deployment.
Following World War II, an AOP flight operated during which conflict before being redeployed elsewhere?
Answer: The Malayan Emergency
Explanation: After World War II, an Air Observation Post (AOP) flight operated during the Malayan Emergency before being redeployed to the Korean War.
To which conflict was an AOP flight redeployed from the Malayan Emergency?
Answer: The Korean War
Explanation: An Air Observation Post (AOP) flight was redeployed from the Malayan Emergency to the Korean War at the request of the 1st Commonwealth Division.
How were the Auster AOP.6 aircraft transported to Korea for the redeployed flight?
Answer: Disassembled and shipped by sea in crates.
Explanation: The Auster AOP.6 aircraft for the flight redeployed to Korea were disassembled and shipped by sea in crates from the United Kingdom.
What aircraft did the US Army loan to British forces during the Korean War for AOP duties?
Answer: Cessna L-19
Explanation: During the Korean War, the US Army loaned a single Cessna L-19 aircraft to British forces for Air Observation Post (AOP) duties.
How did British pilots perceive the Cessna L-19 loaned during the Korean War compared to their existing aircraft?
Answer: They considered it significantly superior to the Auster AOP.6.
Explanation: British pilots who flew the loaned Cessna L-19 during the Korean War considered it significantly superior to the Auster AOP.6 aircraft they were using at the time.
The Army Air Corps was formed in 1957, leading to the immediate replacement of all fixed-wing aircraft with helicopters.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Army Air Corps was formed in 1957, the replacement of fixed-wing aircraft with helicopters was a gradual process, not an immediate one.
The last operational Auster AOP.9 aircraft was retired in 1977.
Answer: False
Explanation: The last operational Auster AOP.9 aircraft was retired in 1967, not 1977.
'Forward air control' is listed as a related military aviation concept in the 'See also' section.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'See also' section of the source material lists 'Forward air control' as a related military aviation concept, alongside Liaison aircraft and No. 651 Squadron RAF.
David W. Wragg's 'A Dictionary of Aviation' was published in 1973.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material confirms that David W. Wragg's 'A Dictionary of Aviation' was published in 1973.
The website forcesreunited.org.uk, mentioned in reference 2, contains information about the history of Air Observation Posts.
Answer: True
Explanation: Reference 2 links to forcesreunited.org.uk, which is stated to contain information regarding the history of Air Observation Posts (AOP).
Ronald Lyell Munro's book 'Above the Battle' is cited as a primary source for AOP operational tactics.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ronald Lyell Munro's book 'Above the Battle: An Air Observation Post Pilot at War' is cited, but it is described as the story of an AOP pilot, not explicitly as a primary source for operational tactics.
The ISBN 978-1-47387-275-2 is associated with Robert Jackson's book on Army Wings.
Answer: False
Explanation: The ISBN 978-1-47387-275-2 is associated with Ronald Lyell Munro's book 'Above the Battle', not Robert Jackson's 'Army Wings'.
The online article 'True Grit – Unarmed Airborne Artillery Spotters over Normandy, 1944' was published in 2016.
Answer: False
Explanation: The online article 'True Grit – Unarmed Airborne Artillery Spotters over Normandy, 1944' was published on October 3, 2020, not in 2016.
The book 'Unarmed Into Battle: The Story of the Air Observation Post' was co-authored by E.M.G. Belfield.
Answer: True
Explanation: The book 'Unarmed Into Battle: The Story of the Air Observation Post' is indeed listed as being co-authored by E.M.G. Belfield, along with Major General H.J. Parham.
The external link to www.warplane.com provides details about the Cessna L-19 aircraft used in Korea.
Answer: False
Explanation: The external link to www.warplane.com, according to the source material, features the Auster Beagle AOP aircraft, not details about the Cessna L-19 used in Korea.
When was the Army Air Corps formed in the UK?
Answer: 1957
Explanation: The Army Air Corps was formed in the United Kingdom in 1957.
What was the initial impact of the Army Air Corps formation on fixed-wing aircraft used for observation roles?
Answer: Helicopters began to steadily replace fixed-wing aircraft.
Explanation: Following the formation of the Army Air Corps in 1957, there was a gradual shift where helicopters began to steadily replace fixed-wing aircraft in observation roles.
What was the final type of Auster aircraft used in British service for AOP duties, and when was it retired?
Answer: Auster AOP.9, retired in 1967
Explanation: The final type of Auster aircraft used in British service for Air Observation Post (AOP) duties was the Auster AOP.9, which was retired in 1967.
What is the title of the book cited as reference 4, detailing an AOP pilot's experience?
Answer: Above the Battle: An Air Observation Post Pilot at War
Explanation: Reference 4 cites the book 'Above the Battle: An Air Observation Post Pilot at War' by Ronald Lyell Munro.
What ISBN is provided for Robert Jackson's book 'Army Wings: A History of Army Air Observation Flying 1914–1960'?
Answer: 978-1844153800
Explanation: The ISBN provided for Robert Jackson's book 'Army Wings: A History of Army Air Observation Flying 1914–1960' is 978-1844153800.