Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 54:18-55:23

Why the Royal Naval Air Service fielded armored cars

Royal Navy armored cars began as a practical way to recover downed aircrew from dangerous ground before they were captured.

Armoured CarsCombat Search And RescueRolls Royce Armoured CarRoyal Naval Air ServiceWorld War I
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Question

Why did the Royal Navy operate armored cars during the First World War?

Short answer

The RNAS needed protected, armed vehicles that could retrieve downed pilots from contested ground before the enemy captured them.

Notes

Naval aviation created a rescue problem when pilots came down near or inside contested ground. Ordinary vehicles could not safely reach them under fire. The Royal Naval Air Service therefore used armored Rolls-Royces with machine guns to drive out, recover aircrew and return quickly. Those vehicles sometimes supported other operations, but pilot recovery was the central purpose described here.