Billy Mitchell’s Bombers Sink Former German Destroyer in Test

July 13, 1921

Army Air Service Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell helps to lead a series of tests off the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, with Army crews from the First Provisional Air Brigade, at Langley Field, Va., flying Martin MB-2 bombers, and bombing ships to demonstrate the importance of airpower. The former German destroyer G-102 is sunk in 19 minutes on July 13, a prelude to the sinking of the captured German battleship Ostfriesland on July 21.

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