100 years ago today - 24 November 1917

[Graeme]

SATURDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 1917

General Headquarters, November 25th.

“On the 24th inst. the weather was bad, but several reconnaissances were carried out by our aeroplanes. In the battle area bombs were dropped on the enemy, and machine-gun fire was opened against his troops. In the afternoon the violence of the gale made it almost impossible for machines to leave the ground. One of our aeroplanes has not returned.”

A little flying was done up to 11 a.m., after which it impossible, owing to a gale.

Six reconnaissanees were earried out, one by the 2nd Brigade and five by the 3rd Brigade, and six counter-attack patrols were also done. 1,488 rounds were fired at ground targets, 1,050 being by machines of the 2nd Brigade.

Eighty-two 25-lb and 14 112-lb bombs were dropped. No 2 Squadron dropped 30 20-lb bombs on billets east of Henin-Liétard, 16 on Douai Station and 16 on Pont-à-Vendin. The 2nd Brigade dropped 22 25-lb bombs on various targets and the 3rd Brigade two 25-lb bombs on Cherisy. On the night of the 23rd/24th, No 102 Squadron dropped five 112-lb bombs on Douai Station and sidings (four bombs were seen to hit the railway track and one hit a shed alongside the sidings) and three 112-lb bombs on Dechy Sidings and all were seen to explode on the objective. No 101 Squadron dropped two 112-lb bombs on a train north of Menin, where a large fire was caused.

RNAS - Owing to unfavourable weather no war work was carried out.

Enemy Aircraft

The RFC Communique recorded - Practically no EA were encountered and no decisive combats took place. However, it appears that one claim was made.

Lt L Cummings, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Moorslede at 08:45/09:45

Casualties

2nd Lt A Muir (Pow) & 54612 Gnr R Dunsmuir (Pow), 10 Sqn, AW FK8 B263 – took off 08:50/09:50 then missing on flash reconnaissance

2nd Lt T F Pilcher (Wia), 65 Sqn, Camel B5420

? (Ok) & Sgt T H Barrell (Wia), 69 Sqn, RE8

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

German claims this date:

Vfw Walter Horn, Js37, RE8, SE St Jean, 0920hrs, first victory.


1 Armee/Bulgarian Armee:

Ltn Otto Splitgerber, Js38, balloon, Majadag, 1630hrs, 6th victory.


Italian Front:

Ltn Rudolf Bertelmeyer, Js39, Hanriot, W Montebelluna, (no time), zlg. (TJP has Bertelsmeyer)


Jasta losses: Nil


Tony

[James A. Pratt III]

OTF 1-3 lo Italian loss to match up with the J 39 claim

[R Gannon]

Casualties

2nd Lt A Muir (Pow) & 54612 Gnr R Dunsmuir (Pow), 10 Sqn, AW FK8 B263 – took off 08:50/09:50 then missing on flash reconnaissance

RPS in TSTBF II says forced down by clouds then AA/Flak ftl crashed. Looks to be FlakBttr 516 who claimed a 'Mart' W Cocou.

2nd Lt T F Pilcher (Wia), 65 Sqn, Camel B5420

This casualty might reflect the the Js 37 claim of Fdw Horn who actually claimed an 'RF', maybe a miss-type for 'RE', but whatever, in the jenseits category.

Russ