100 years ago today - 26 December 1917

[Graeme]

WEDNESDAY, 26 DECEMBER 1917

General Headquarters, December 27th.

“On the 26th inst. a certain amount of flying was done between the snowstorms. Photographs were taken, a few bombs dropped on various targets, and many rounds fired into the enemy's trenches. One hostile machine was brought down. During the night a few machines took advantage of a short fine spell and dropped bombs on the enemy's billets close to the lines. None of our machines are missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 120:

Snow-storms interfered with aerial work.

One reconnaissance carried out by the 1st Brigade, one by the 2nd, and one by the 5th. Six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, four of which were by artillery of the First Army; one gun-pit was destroyed, two damaged, six explosions and one fire caused, and 35 zone calls were sent down.

459 photographs were taken, 70 25-lb bombs dropped and 5,443 rounds fired at ground targets as follows:

1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped five 25-lb bombs and fired 50 rounds; No 4 Squadron dropped seven 25-lb bombs; Corps Squadrons fired 1,250 rounds, and Naval Squadron No 8 fired 1,250 rounds.

2nd Brigade: 743 rounds were fired.

3rd Brigade: Ten 25-lb bombs were dropped and 900 rounds fired.

5th Brigade: 48 25-lb bombs were dropped and 1,250 rounds fired.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Heavy banks of clouds, high winds with snow and sleet, made flying impossible.

Enemy Aircraft: There was very little enemy aircraft activity in the morning, but at times in the afternoon enemy aircraft were quite active.

2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater in flames 20.q.23 [south of Hooglede] at 13:20/14:20 - 2nd-Lieut F Quigley, No 70 Squadron, attacked a two-seater, which dived vertically after a burst of fire, but was followed and more shots fired into it, then when it had gone down to 1,500 feet, 2nd-Lieut Quigley circled round and watched the pilot attempting to flatten out. This he did not succeed in doing and the machine crashed into the ground and burst into flames

Casualties:

Lieut E H Read (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut H R Donovan (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B5898 - hit by AA spun from about 6,000 feet and caught fire on hitting ground near Liévin on photography and fighting duty

Graeme

[James A. Pratt III]

CGAS & Schactflieger! have Uffz Julius Scholler SS 28b WIA air combat German 4 Armee . It looks like the 70 Sqn claim.

[R Gannon]

2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater in flames 20.q.23 [south of Hooglede] at 13:20/14:20 - 2nd-Lieut F Quigley, No 70 Squadron, attacked a two-seater, which dived vertically after a burst of fire, but was followed and more shots fired into it, then when it had gone down to 1,500 feet, 2nd-Lieut Quigley circled round and watched the pilot attempting to flatten out. This he did not succeed in doing and the machine crashed into the ground and burst into flames

Schusta 28 would seem to be the case as James notes.

Casualties:

Lieut E H Read (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut H R Donovan (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B5898 - hit by AA spun from about 6,000 feet and caught fire on hitting ground near Liévin on photography and fighting duty

FlakBttr 6 & Flakzug 159 - RE-DD- 'Conlette' - probably should read 'La Coulette'

It is good to note that both sides observed an unofficial truce on 25 Dec 17 as they did on the previous 2 years.

Russ