100 years ago today - 26 May 1918

[Graeme]

SUNDAY, 26 MAY 1918

General Headquarters, May 27th.

“On the 26th inst. little flying was possible till the evening, owing to low clouds and a dense mist. Four tons of bombs were dropped by us on targets in the neighbourhood of Armentières and Fricourt. Six hostile machines were brought down in air fighting. None of our aeroplanes is missing.”

Admiralty, May 27th.

“During the period May 23rd to May 26th, inclusive, operations by Air Force contingents have been somewhat hindered by unfavourable weather conditions. Bombing operations have, however, been carried out against Mariakerke and Zeebrugge, where bombs were observed to fall close to the lock gates and canal derivation. Nearly three tons of bombs were also dropped on Bruges Docks during the night of the 22nd-23rd. All our machines returned safely.

“In home waters, during the period, numerous flights in escort, patrol, and other anti-submarine duties were carried out. Submarines were sighted and attacked, and enemy mines were located on several occasions. Our seaplanes have also carried out long reconnaissances over the North Sea.”

RAF Communiqué number 8:

Weather: clouds, bad visibility.

Seven reconnaissances, 16 contact and counter-attack patrols. Twenty-three hostile batteries engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, one neutralized, 65 zone calls sent.

Seven and a half tons of bombs dropped.

Weather rendered balloon observation impossible on the 26th instant.

Enemy Aircraft:

Enemy aircraft activity was slight.

Lieut C W Payton, 210 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Bailleul at 17:00/18:00 -

Capt D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Albatros C crashed Laventie at 17:45/18:45 -

Capt R H Rusby, Lieut F J Davies and Lieut C G Ross, 29 Sqn, DFW C crashed south of Bailleul at 18:35/19:35 -

Capt C B Glynn, 74 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south-east of Bailleul at 19:20/20:20 -

Lieut B Roxburgh-Smith, 74 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Doullieu at 19:30/20:30 -

Capt E D Atkinson, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Erquinghem - Lys at 19:30/20:30 -

Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Erquinghem at 19:30/20:30 -

Capt E Mannock, 74 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Bailleul at 19:40/20:40 -

2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & Lieut G Thomson, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Armentières - Lille at 19:45/20:45 -

Lieut H H Beddow & Sergt J Goodman, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed south-east of Armentières at 19:45/20:45 -

Capt W J Mostyn & Sergt J H Jones, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Armentières at 19:45/20:45 -

2nd-Lieut S H Wallage & Lieut A P Stoyle, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed south-east of Armentières at 19:45/20:45 -

Capt E Mannock, 74 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south of Bailleul at 19:50/20:50 – (green fuselage, black tail)

Lieut J I T Jones, 74 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Ploegsteert Wood at 19:55/20:55 -

Casualties:

Capt T F Le Mesurier (Wia; dow) & 2nd-Lieut R Lardner (Kia), 211 Sqn RAF, DH9 D1693- shot down by A.A. fire on test flight

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J F A Hall (Wia), 21 Sqn RAF, RE8-

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W Jacklin (Wia), 20 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B-anti-aircraft fire

Graeme