The British and German authorities have a taken a very different approach to the promotion of their successful pilots. The Germans have widely promoted their successful pilots and their deeds for propaganda and morale purposes. This approach has its downsides such as the decision to withdraw Oswald Boelcke from the front at a crucial time to avoid another high profile loss after the death of Max Immelmann.
The British approach has ben mixed. The Royal navy have promoted the names of some officers particularly where linked with home defence to improve civilian morale. The War Office however have , have generally avoided highlighting individual officers.
The issue was highlighted today in parliament when MPs asked why the name of 2nd Lieutenant George Reynolds McCubbin, who was claiming to have shot down Immelmann, had been withheld from the press and why there was a general policy of withholding names from the press. This follows a similar question yesterday. The debate proceeded as follows:
“Sir Arthur Markham asked (1) the reason why the name of the young aviator who shot down Immelmann, the Fokker champion, has been suppressed by the Press Bureau; and (2) why the names of airmen who have distinguished themselves are not allowed to appear in the Press?
Mr. Ronald McNeill asked the Secretary for War, who were the British aviators who succeeded in bringing down the German, Captain Immelmann; and if he will say why their names have not been already published?
Mr. Forster replied: ‘As I stated yesterday, it has not been customary to mention in communiqués the names of officers or soldiers who perform acts of gallantry, but I may inform hon. Members that the matter is being further considered in consultation with the military authorities in France. With reference to Question 14, 189 I would add that the name of the aviator who brought down Captain Immelmann was not communicated to the Press Bureau for publication, and that consequently there is no question of the bureau having suppressed the name. ‘
Sir A. Markham responded: ‘Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the name was actually sent by the “Daily Chronicle” representative to that paper and suppressed by the Press Censor, and that the name was Second Lieutenant McCubbin, aged eighteen and a half years? ‘
Mr. Forster responded: ‘I am not aware of that. I was dealing with the allegation that the name had been suppressed by the Press Bureau.’
Sir E. Carson asked: ‘Cannot the hon. Gentleman give us some indication as to what is the objection to giving the names?’
Mr. Forster responded: ‘If my right hon. and learned Friend will cast his mind back to the earlier days of the War, he will remember—I think I am right—that it was the expressed desire of the officers of the Royal Flying Corps that no mention of individual names should be made. ‘
Mr. MacCallum Scott asked: ‘Would it not be desirable, on the same grounds, to withhold the names of those upon whom the Victoria Cross is conferred?‘
Mr. Forster responded: ‘The names of those upon whom the Victoria Cross is conferred are communicated by the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief, of course, will name any person whom he thinks specially deserving. ‘
Mr. Pringle asked: ‘Why should an exception be made in regard to these flying officers?‘
Mr. Forster responded: ‘For one thing, I do not think the flying officers want it, and, in the second place, it is a matter which, I think, ought to be left largely in the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief.‘ ”
airwar19141918 