W. E. L. Seward

[steven brown]

According to Amazon, there will be a book published early next year called ' Wings over the Desert' about W. E. L. Seward MC of 14 Sq in Palestine. The only information given by Amazon about this individual is what I've written above. Is there more detail available about Seward?

[Graeme]

Steven

The "blurb" for the book reads:

Wings Over The Desert

In action with an RFC pilot in Palestine 1916-18
by Desmond Seward

Few people know of the battle over the Sinai Desert between the Royal
Flying Corps and German airmen, part of Britain’s campaign against
Turkey in the First World War.

Although a smaller conflict than the Western Front, in some ways it was
more dramatic, involving the use of cavalry and the Arab revolt led by T.E.
Lawrence. This fascinating book is based around the experiences of the
author’s father, W.E.L. [William Eric Lewis] Seward, MC, who was a pilot with No 14 Squadron RFC. Illustrated with remarkable photographs that have only just come to light, this book provides a unique historical record.

At Core Record*IWM*- VADS: the online resource for visual arts

is a picture by Stuart Reid, captioned as:

Martinsyde Scout biplane, landed in the sea four miles west of Askalon, about to sink. The pilot can be seen swimming towards the shore. The plane was bought down by Turkish anti-aircraft fire and the pilot (2nd Lt W E L Seward) ditched the machine in order to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Under heavy fire, the pilot (who was an Olympic swimmer) swam 25 miles to an outpost of the Wellington Mounted Rifles, ANZAC.

Graeme

[steven brown]

Graeme,
Thanks for the response. It sounds like an interesting book. One doesn't see much on the Palestine front and a personal record should be quite informative. A 25 mile swim !!

[Graeme]

Been doing a bit more Googling:

He participated in the 1908 London Olympics (recorded as Eric Seaward), finishing third in heat 7 of the 100 metres backstroke and not progressing further.

This spelling of his name provides a link to Eric Seaward Biography and Statistics - Olympics at Sports-Reference.com which says that he was born in 1892.

Graeme

[Old Man]

Something I book-marked long ago, Sir, that you might find interesting, on some activities of of No. 14 squadron, though it does not bear on Mr. Seward:

Lawrence's air force - page 1

No. 14 Squadron was posted to Egypt on its formation, arriving late in 1915, equipped with B.E. 2c machines. Its first combat operation was not against the Turks but against Senussi tribes west of the Nile. The unit was briefly disbanded after the war, but re-formed in Palestine in 1920, serving in the 'air control' capacity, and opposing the northward advance of the Saudis. It co-operated closely with forces of the Emirate of Trans-Jordan, and Jordan claims it as the ancestor of its air force today. It is unique among R.A.F. squadrons in having its unit motto ("I spread my wings and keep my promises.") spelled out in Arabic.

[Mad Mac]

Originally Posted by Graeme

Steven


Martinsyde Scout biplane, landed in the sea four miles west of Askalon, about to sink. The pilot can be seen swimming towards the shore. The plane was bought down by Turkish anti-aircraft fire and the pilot (2nd Lt W E L Seward) ditched the machine in order to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Under heavy fire, the pilot (who was an Olympic swimmer) swam 25 miles to an outpost of the Wellington Mounted Rifles, ANZAC.

Graeme

I think from memory this event is recorded in my great uncle's war diary (he was in the NZ Wellington Mounted Rifles)

[Graeme]

A little off-topic, but from the RAF Organisational History website:

For many years No 14 was the sole flying squadron in Palestine, but it began life at Shoreham on 3 February 1915. Unlike many of its contemporaries it did not go to France but left for the Middle East in November 1915. It operated in a corps reconnaissance role supporting operations in Palestine, Arabia and the Western Desert and acquired some fighters in May 1917, but these were formed into No 111 Squadron that August. The squadron moved to Greece in October 1918 but by February 1919 it had returned to Britain where it disbanded on the 4th of that month.

Ironically it was No 111 Squadron that was re-numbered No 14 on 1 February 1920 at Ramlah in Palestine. It would remain in Palestine for the next 20 years operating in detachments at Amman and Ramlah equipped successively with Bristol Fighters, DH9As, Fairey IIIFs, Gordons and in March 1938, Wellesleys. The entry of Italy into the war saw the squadron move to Egypt, back to Palestine and then to the Sudan, where it carried out raids against Italian bases in Eritrea.

The squadron re-equipped with Blenheims in September 1940, which it took to Egypt before returning to Palestine. It later took part in operations in Iraq and then returned to the Western Desert and re-equipment with Marauders in August 1942. With Marauders the squadron carried out coastal patrols, mine-laying and maritime reconnaissance operations as well as bombing missions, moving to Algeria from March 1943.

However, the squadron flew its last mission on 21 September 1943, effectively disbanding.

After susbsequent re-formation, disbanding and re-numbering. the current No 14 Squadron in now located at RAF Lossiemouth and is equipped with the Tornado.

Graeme

[steven brown]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for all the information. I know next to nothing about operations in Palestine prior to the deployment of SE5a and Bristol two seat fighters. I'm hoping this book will cover that period. Something on the German and Turkish operations would be wonderful as well.

[Graeme]

Steven

From the British viewpoint, operations can be summarised as:

The Defence of the Suez Canal, 26 January to 12 August 1915
Operations in the Sinai Peninsula, 15 November 1915 to 9 January 1917
Operations against the Senussi in the Western Desert, 23 November 1915 to 8 February 1917
Operations against the Sultan of Darfur, 1 March to 31 December 1916
The Arab Revolt in the Hejaz, 6 June to 22 September 1916
The Battle of Romani, 4 to 5 August 1916
First Battle of Gaza, 26 to 27 March 1917
Second Battle of Gaza, 17 to 19 April 1917
Third Battle of Gaza, 27 October to 7 November 1917
Affair of Huj, the Action of El Mughar and Capture of Junction Station, 8 to 14 November 1917
The Battle of Nabi Samweil, 20 to 24 November 1917
The Capture of Jerusalem, 7 to 9 December 1917
The Battle of Jaffa, 21 to 22 December 1917
Operations in the Jordan Valley, 19 February to 4 May 1918
The Battles of Megiddo, Sharon and Nablus, 19 to 25 September 1918
The continuation of the Final Offensive beyond the Jordan, to 26 October 1918
The Turks signed an Armistice in Palestine on 31st October 1918.

Graeme

[steven brown]

Graeme,
Thanks for the chronology, most of which is new to me. I understand that the battles for Gaza were contested vigorously by the Turks, with heavy losses on both sides. I assume that by 3rd Gaza, there was a lot of activity in the air.