100 years ago today - 26 November 1917

[Graeme]

MONDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1917

General Headquarters, November 27th.

“On the 26th inst. the weather was slightly better for flying, but low clouds and a strong wind again hindered work in the air. Some successful artillery work was done by our aeroplanes, and many photographs were taken. Enemy troops, batteries, and transport were constantly attacked by our low-flying machines. During the day bombs were dropped on the crossings over the River Sensee and on railheads near Cambrai and north of Douai. At night Douai station was attacked, and bombs were also dropped at Somain station and sidings. Over 3 tons of bombs were dropped in all. A few fights took place, in which one hostile machine was brought down and four were driven down out of control. Another hostile machine was shot down by fire from the ground. None of our aeroplanes are missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 115:

A little more work was possible, although low clouds and strong wind made-flying difficult.

Three reconnaissances were carried out by the 2nd Brigade, four by the 3rd and one by the 9th Wing. Three contact patrols were also done by machines of the 3rd Brigade.

With aeroplane observation, six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the First Army and three by artillery of the Third Army.

A of 5,660 rounds were fired from low altitudes at ground targets. Nos 68, 56, 46 and 84 Squadrons, in addition to dropping 45 25-lb bombs, fired 3,190 of these rounds.

Seventy-seven 25-lb and 43 112-lb bombs were dropped. Of these, eight 112-Ib bombs were dropped on Moisnil Station by No 18 Squadron; five 112-lb bombs on Sailly, where store sheds were hit, eight 112-lb. bombs on Rieux and one 112-lb bomb on an anti-aircraft battery by No 49 Squadron.

Scouts of the 3rd Brigade dropped 45 25-lb bombs from low altitudes on various targets. No 25 Squadron dropped 18 112-lb bombs on Aubigny and Neuville and No 27 Squadron dropped eight 112-lb bombs on bridges between Tortéquenne and Lecluse. The remaining bombs were dropped on various targets.

RNAS Communiqué number 10:

A few fighter patrols were carried out, but no decisive engagements took place.

Enemy Aircraft

Enemy aircraft were not very active.

2nd-Lieut J F Larsen, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Fonsomme at 08:00/09:00

2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Fonsomme at 08:00/09:00

2nd-Lieut J A McCudden & 2nd-Lieut C Chritchley, 25 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Denain - Neuville at 12:30/13:30 [John Anthony McCudden was the younger brother of James McCudden; this was his second and final victory with No 25 Squadron before his transfer to No 84 Squadron]

Lieut H Taylor, 68 Sqn, DH5 A9336, two-seater crashed south-east of Bourlon Wood at 12:35/13:35

Capt J D Payne, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gulleghem at 14:20/15:20
Capt J D Payne, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gulleghem at 14:20/15:20
Lieut J G Coombe, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gulleghem at 14:30/15:30
Capt W E Molesworth, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Houthulst at 14:50/15:50

Four enemy aircraft were shot down out of control by pilots of the 2nd Brigade; two of these were by Capt J Payne, another by Lieut J Coombe, the fourth by Capt Molesworth, all of No 29 Squadron, who fought and dispersed 12 EA scouts

Casualties

2nd-Lieut C A Mulligan (Wia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport – shot up on NOP

Capt A S Lee (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel B6405 - force landed in trenches near Flesquiers after petrol tanks shot through on patrol

Lieut P H Cummings (Ok) & Lieut H A Parry (Ok), 102 Sqn, FE2b A5676 – took off 19:00/20:00 then force landed after engine shot through on night bombing raid

Graeme

[josquin]

2/Lt. (later Capt.) Jens Fredrick ("Swede") Larson, 84 Squadron--not Larsen.

Josquin

[R Gannon]

2nd-Lieut J F Larsen, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Fonsomme at 08:00/09:00
2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Fonsomme at 08:00/09:00

I believe the 84 Sqn pair dived on 2 Albatros scouts.

2nd-Lieut J A McCudden & 2nd-Lieut C Chritchley, 25 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Denain - Neuville at 12:30/13:30 [John Anthony McCudden was the younger brother of James McCudden; this was his second and final victory with No 25 Squadron before his transfer to No 84 Squadron]

Probably FAA 224 - Ltn O Grundermann wia in airfight 6 ARMEE.

Capt J D Payne, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gulleghem at 14:20/15:20
Capt J D Payne, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gulleghem at 14:20/15:20
Lieut J G Coombe, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gulleghem at 14:30/15:30
Capt W E Molesworth, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Houthulst at 14:50/15:50
Four enemy aircraft were shot down out of control by pilots of the 2nd Brigade; two of these were by Capt J Payne, another by Lieut J Coombe, the fourth by Capt Molesworth, all of No 29 Squadron, who fought and dispersed 12 EA scouts
2nd-Lieut C A Mulligan (Wia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport – shot up on NOP

Clearly Mulligan was wia in above scrap.

Capt A S Lee (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel B6405 - force landed in trenches near Flesquiers after petrol tanks shot through on patrol

Probably claimed by KFlak 2 - Sopwith - Bourlon Wood.

Russ