scout patrols

Hello,

I am trying to determine how patrol distances were figured for both the German, French and British scouts. I understand that the average range was approx. 200 miles for most scouts, and this would make for a radius of action of about 100 miles.
Trouble is, I know that there would be fuel allotted for time over a patrol area, so this would limited the radius of action. How were the safe distances figured so there would be enough fuel for flying to the patrol area, spending time in that area and then the return flight back to base.
When you add in that the aircraft probably flew at cruise speed when not in combat, and in and out of max throttle during a dogfight, determining the best radius of action could be confusing and difficult.
What are your thoughts on this?

regards

[Dan_San_Abbott]

wingedwarrior:
The patrol area were limited by the boundaries of the Army or Corp. For example the Army's boundaries 50 miles apart, and there were two Corps within the Armies front of approximately 25 miles. Generally there would be units assigned to each Corp Area. So the patrol area was the Army boundary to the adjacent Corps boundary.
On of the things I have attempted to do is establish the the "Order Of Battle" for each Army during the various battles. With this information the Patrol Area is then defined.
Happy New Year,
Dan-San

Hi Dan,

I assume you are talking about the German Air Service, or is this arrangement similar in both the British as well as French Armies? Am I correct to say that the operational radius was approx. 25 miles? Forgive me if my questions seem rudimentary.

regards

[Dan_San_Abbott]

wingedwarrior:
* In the RFC/ RAF fighter squadrons were assigned to the Army Wing while recce squadrons were assigned to the Corps Wing. *Generally there were 3 or 4 Fighting Squadrons in the Army Wing and would be deployed within the army area to cover whole of area of the Army. *Bombing Squadrons were assigned to the Army Wing along with the Fighting Squadrons. *For example: Order of Battle 7 June 1917, *Battle of Messines,
Second Army.
Hq.II Brigade RFC. Brig.Gen. T.I. Webb-Bowen, * * * Oxelaere.(Cassel)
*Hq. Second (Corps) Wing. Lt.Col. C.F.deS. Murphy,
*Bailleul.
* * *Corps. * * *Squadrons.
* * * *II * * *4 (R.E.8) Maj. Jenkins, Abeele.
* * * *X * * *6 (R.E.8) Maj. Barratt, Abeele.
* * * * * * * *7 (B.E.2c) Maj. Whitelock, Proven.
* * * *VIII * 21(R.E.8) Maj. Gethin, La Lovie.
* * II (Anzac) 42 (R.E.8) Maj. Kinnear, Bailleul.
* * * *IX * * 53 (R.E.8) Maj. Wynne-Eyton, Bailleul.
* Hq, Eleventh (Army) Wing. Lt.Col.G. Stopford,
* St. Sylvestre,
* * Squadrons.
* * * 1 *(Nieuport Scout), Maj.de Bombasle, Bailleul.
* * * 1 Naval (Sop. Triplane),Sq.Cdr. Haskins, *"
* * *10 Naval (Sop.Triplane), Sq.Cdr. Bell, Droglant.
* * *20 (F.E.2d) Maj. Mansfield, Sainte-Marie-Cappel
* * *41 (F.E.8) Maj. Landon, Hondschoote.
* * *45 (Sop.2 Seater) Maj. Van Ryneveld, Sainte-Marie-Cappel.
* * *46 (Sop.Pup) Maj. Babington, La Gorgue.
Squadron Nos. 20 and 45 are Bombing Squadrons.
* In addition there was the Second Balloon Wing with 6 Balloon Companies. and the Second Army Aircraft park.
* *The Aviation Militaire fighting Escadrille were organized into Group De Combat and functioned in the same manner. *They were mobile units which were later organized into Escadre made up of multiple Group de Combat, *The Escadre were later organized into the Division Aeriene, ( Air Division).
* * I hope I have not muddied the waters.
* * * * * * * * * * * Happy New Year,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *Dan-San

Looks good to me. Were the areas of patrol similar to the German patrol sectors or were the allied scout units, because of their 'offensive spirit', obliged to fly much longer patrols on a regular basis, deep into German held territory?

I understand that if a unit was to escort a bomber or recce unit, it would travel with the bombers to and from the target area, but how far would a unit be expected to fly if it was to look for, let's say, enemy two-seaters flying recce over the front lines?

regards