Manual: Hints to Observers

New Romney 29/7/1918

Lecture by Lieutenant Brockman

Clothing
1: Helmet
A good plan is to cut off neck portion of helmet as when flying it generally prevents helmet from turning with head. Cover neck by silk scarf then wind woollen scarf round neck + leave it loose. Pull up over bottom part of face as far as nose then put on the flying coat.
Case face with Vaseline when flying as 20,000 ft.

2: Goggles
Combine with face mask if possible. “Triplex” glass is the best, tinted.
Anti-dim or ???asso used on glass prevents same from getting fogged for about 1½ hours. Afterwards use handkerchief.

3: Flying Coat
The Flying Coat is exchanged overseas for a Sidcot Flying Suit.

To keep Feet Warm
Wear golasses or overshoes over boots.
Silk socks should be worn next to skin + woollen socks over same.
If flying boots are too large wear extra pair or two of socks.

Hands
wear pair of mittens or silk gloves underneath gauntlets. The flaps on back of gauntlets should be cut off as they are likely to come unfastened + therefore get in the way.
A hot baked potato could be put in coat pocket + taken out when hands begin to numb.

Instruments
Watch, compass + altimeter.
Ingersol watch is about the best.
A small hanging shelf could be made for the above + have same fastened on + detach shelf from machine after flight.
The watch is carried in case the observer's seat is away from Pilot's + he is unable to see Pilot's watch.
Compass can be obtained at Flight Office.
Altimeter is not essential but it is always well to know at what height you are flying.
Binoculars may also be carried.

Equipment
About 6 pencils should be carried not copyink.
These should be kept in all available pockets.
Drawing Pins for maps + postcards so that you have a have a hard surface to write on.
Celluloid clock dial.
Perforated note book for writing messages to Pilot + message bags.
One or more elastic band.
First field dressing.

Lewis Gun Spare Parts
Get a piece of canvas and have receptacles made for bolt screen balance. Screw driver, toggle + 2 small pockets for C.G.S. + Feed Pa??e + Spring + Pinion Group.
Verey Lights
Be careful where you fire Verey lights as they are highly inflammable.

Co-operation between Pilot + Observer
Arrange with Pilot before flight the line or route to take.
Let Pilot know as soon as you see machine over enemy's' line.
Signs should be made up so that Observer + Pilot can communicate with each other.
No paper should be taken up with any official information on it as it may fall into enemy hands.

Maps
For Corps Observers: 1/40,000 Reconnaissance + 1/20,000 Trench + 1/10000 Trench Maps
For Army Observers: 1/40,000 Reconnaissance + 1/100,000 Rec. + 1/250,000 N.W. Europe Maps.
Maps should be carried in a certain position so that you can refer to them quickly.
Get a piece of canvas or wood + glue a 1/40,000 map on one side + 1/100,000 on the other.
Paint in lakes, trenches, roads, woods, batteries.

Gunnery Routine Overseas
Two guns are allotted to an Observer + he should take a personal interest in them.
Strip + examine gun carefully after cleaning.
Examine magazines after being brought from Armoury.
Be careful in muddy weather not to dirty magazines when stepping into machine.
Every Observer should get as much Dual Control practise as possible.