An Cosantóir

30 THE BREMEN FLIGHT Following the First World War, aviators across the world had the united ambition to be the first to make the crossing of the immense Atlantic Ocean by aircraft. With the restoration of peace, the aviation industry set their sights on this vastly ambitious project. There was an advancement in aircraft technology and a fascination with breaking new barriers in distance, speed and endurance. Transoceanic flight was now viewed as something achievable and the race was on to complete the North Atlantic crossing. The first transatlantic flights completed were in the West-East direction, this was due to the prevailing North West winds giving a favourable tail wind to boost West-East passage. Conversely, the journey from Europe to North America was far more dangerous as the winds turned into headwinds on the reciprocal crossing. Another problem with a crossing from Europe was the magnetic fluctuations and variations that would confuse compass readings off the Great Banks of Newfoundland, near American landfall. Until a crossing in both directions had occurred, the North Atlantic Ocean would not be deemed as conquered. The prestige and fame that was up for the taking was the motivation that ignited the fire under many aviation pioneers and the country that they came from. The first country to complete the crossing successfully was set to receive fame and recognition worldwide. In 1927, 10 unsuccessful flight attempts from the East had been made, resulting in the loss of seven lives. Fitzmaurice or "Fitz", as he was more commonly known, had harboured the ambition to make an Atlantic crossing for many years. He approached the Irish government with his idea but the plans never amounted to anything. He remained undaunted and continued to dream of being the first to achieve the "near impossible" goal. He had endeavoured to organise an all-Irish attempt, but he soon became frustrated with the lack of support for the project. His efforts to make a successful attempt intensified and he took the opportunity, in September 1927, to team up with a British pilot to attempt the crossing. September 16 1927, was when Fitz made his first attempt at reaching the goal of crossing from the East. Alongside Captain R H McIntosh, they reached 500 miles (804km) out over the Atlantic ocean in a single engine Fokker F.VII Princess Xenia G-EBTS. The dire weather conditions put an end to the attempt, but not to the drive and motivation. They turned back as to persevere would inevitably result in a certain death, they landed safely on a beach in County Kerry. Escaping with their lives ensured that they had the chance to fight another day. It was in April 1928, that James C Fitzmaurice stamped his name firmly into the aviation history books, and played a large part in historic achievement within the Irish Air Corps. With his two German counterparts, in a Junkers W.33, called Bremen, the Atlantic airspace was finally conquered. Fitzmaurice accepted an invitation to join the two German aviators in early 1928. Capt. Hermann Koehl, a decorated WW1 bomber pilot, and an aristocratic Prussian sponsor and friend, Baron von Heunefeld, a co-pilot and navigator, completed the team of three. Like Fitzmaurice, it was their second attempt at an East-West crossing. The Bremen took off from Baldonnel Aerodrome in the early hours of Thursday April 12, 1928 with the intended destination of New York. Crowds formed in Baldonnel as thousands turned out to cheer the three aviators on their way. President William Cosgrove and other members of the government were amongst the well-wishers who came to see the historic take-off. The aircraft was very heavy, laden with fuel in order to complete the long journey. They sacrificed personal requirements in order to make room for extra fuel. The Bremen aircraft on take off The cockpit of te Junkers W.33 aircraft The crew: Baron von Heunefeld, Comdt Fitzmaurice and Capt. Hermann Koehl The aircraft following touchdown in Greenly Island, Canada THE BREMEN FLIGHT: THE IRISH SOLIDER, AVIATOR AND PIONEER AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE ATLANTIC CROSSING RACE. By Lt Lauren Cusack Flight Officer 101 Sqn.

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