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The first aviation pioneer in Serbia was major Kosta Miletić (1874-1953) (Left), trained as a balloon pilot at the Technical Aeronautical School near Saint Petersburg, Russia from 14 February 1901 to 12 November 1902. Miletić was also trained in the use of carrier pigeons.
On the recommendation of Miletić, the Serbian armed forces posted messenger pigeon stations (in 1908 in Medosevac near Nis and in 1909 in Pirot), and bought two free spherical and one tied kite – balloon from the August Ridinger company from Augsburg. At the reception ceremony, on 19 April 1909, Kosta Miletić flew a spherical balloon called Srbija (Serbia). One balloon was provided from Russia. A gas chamber was ordered from the Dillmann company in Berlin, and a field winch from St Petersburg. A hydrogen unit was provided from the Swiss company Oerlikon. The equipment was delivered to Serbia in 1909 and 1910.
The first competition for cadet airmen in Serbia was opened in May 1911, and in the following year the First class of Serbian pilots started their flying training in France from 21 May – 8 September 1912 and got the rank of pilot. They finished the course in the beginning of the First Balkan War with aircraft and the balloons that had already been obtained prior to the outbreak of war. In the autumn of 1912, Serbia got aircraft for its armed forces. On 24 December 1912 the head of the military Ministry Radomir Putnik approved the formation of the Aviation Command situated in Niš; the commander was Major Kosta Miletić. It comprised: the Aircraft Squadron which counted 12 military aircraft, the Balloon squad, the Pigeon post and the Base. This date is regarded in Serbia as marking the official founding of the air force. This made Serbia, one of the first 15 states in the world to have an air force.
World War I
(Left Lt. Miodrag Tomić and observer Milutin Mihailović seated in their Blériot XI-2 Génie airplane, at the Serbian Front, in May 1915. Right: Two men seated in a World War I-era biplane, surrounded by technical personnel.)
General mobilization in the summer of 1914 found Serbian Aeroplane Escadre not well prepared. Aeroplane Escadre have only 9 aeroplanes of which 7 in flying condition. Five planes and three pilots were relocated to airfield Dabića. From that airfield, Captain’s Živojin Stanković and 2nd Lieutenant Miodrag Tomić on August 13, 1914 commenced their first reconnaissance flights in Great War. Tomić took off from airfield Jevremovac on August 27, at five o’clock in the afternoon. Above Mishar he encountered an enemy plane and they were quite close to each other. Enemy plane opened fire on Tomić, who did not expect this, but he avoided it with an appropriate and fast maneuver, so the plane did not sustain any hits. Fire was coming from a Parabellum revolver. It was – probably – the first exchange of fire between aircraft in history.[6] Because of air supremacy of the K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppen over Serbian Front, in March 1915 arrived the French Escadrille (Escadrille MFS.99) to aid weakness Serbian Aeroplane Escadre. French Escadrille held the frontline from Smederevo to Loznica, and Serbian Escadre from Smederevo to Golubac. After the conquest of Serbia by the Central Powers in the autumn of 1915 and the great retreat of Serbian army to island of Corfu, in the spring 1916 was formed Salonica Front.In the autumn of 1915, in Serbia was realize the first medical transport of the wounded and sick in the world aviation history. One of the ill soldiers in that first medical transport was Milan Stefanik, a Czech pilot-volunteer.[7] In June 1916 the reconstituted Serbian army sailed from Corfu and joined the French and British at Salonika. At the Salonica Front line, with the support of the Allied force, Serbian Aeroplane Escadre were reorganized. From mid 1916 to 1918 at Serbian part of new established frontline was operated 5 Escadrilles (N521, N522, N523, N524 and N525) and squadrons were staffed with French and Serbian personnel. This air force units officially known as the Aéronautique de l’Armée Serbe or Serbian Army Air Service and were attached to High Command of Serbian Army.[8] It was commanded by a French officer Major Roger Vitrat. In beginning of 1918 the new reorganisation was started when were formed 1th Serbian Escadrille on January 17, and 2nd Serbian Escadrille on May 1, 1918, staffed of Serbian personnel.
World War 2
Sources: Wikipedia
SY 9 Mar 2016
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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