100 years ago today - 2 December 1917

[Graeme]

SUNDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1917

General Headquarters, December 3rd.

“On the 2nd instant, in spite of a very strong north-west wind, our aeroplanes were active reconnoitring the enemy's new positions and observing for our artillery. Many bombs were dropped and machine-guns fired from a low height on villages occupied by the enemy’s reserve troops north of Bourlon. The enemy's batteries on the Ypres battle front were also engaged with machine-gun fire and bombs.

“Hostile aircraft activity was slight, and few fights took place. One German machine was brought down. Five of our aeroplanes are missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 116:

Squalls and very strong wind prevented much flying being done.

Machines of the 3rd Brigade carried out 14 reconnaissances in order to ascertain the position and movements of enemy troops and obtain other informtition. This Brigade also carried out 12 contact patrols.

Macines of the 2nd Brigade worked in conjunction with our infantry who were attacking north-west of Passchendaele and carried out two reconnaissances.

A machine of No 25 Squadron reconnoitred the line Cambrai – Busigny – Bohain.

With aeroplane observation, 16 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction; one gun pit was destroyed, six damaged, two explosions and five fires caused.

Three hundred and sixty-three photographs were taken and approximately 2,200 rounds were fired at ground targets from low altitudes and over two tons of bombs were dropped.

1st Brigade – Machines dropped six 25-lb bombs on billets.

2nd Brigade – Pilots of No 70 Squadron, flying Sopwith Camels, dropped 28 25-lb bombs on active hostile batteries. Seventy-two 25-lb bombs were also dropped on active hostile batteries by No 57 Squadron and 10 25-lb bombs on various targets by Corps machines.

3rd Brigade – DH5s of No 68 Squadron (AFC) dropped 14 25-lb bombs on trenches. No 64 Squadron, also DH5s, dropped six bombs on the same targets, while Corps machines dropped 12 25-lb bombs on various targets.

9th Wing – No 27 Squadron attacked Torteqnenne and Lecluse and dropped four 112-lb bombs on the former and six 112-lb bombs on the latter target.

No 25 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb bombs on Ecourt St Quentin.

RNAS Communiqué number 11:

Owing to the very unfavourable weather conditions, low attached clouds, and high wind, no war work could be carried out.

Enemy Aircraft

Enemy aircraft activity was very slight, except on the 2nd Brigade front where it was about normal.

2nd-Lieut W Beaver & 1/AM M B Mather, 20 Sqn, Albatros C crashed south-east of Passchendaele at 10:30/11:30 - three Bristol Fighters of 20 Squadron dived at an EA two-seater near Passchendaele, and 2nd-Lieut W Beaver & 1/AM M Mather shot it down out of control, and it was seen to crash

Casualties

? (Ok) & Lieut W E Dexter (Wia), 10 Sqn, AW FK8 - shot up on counter attack patrol

Lieut S W Rowles (Wia; dow 13-Dec-17) & ? (Ok), 10 Sqn, AW FK8 - shot up on counter attack patrol

2nd-Lieut L A Rivers (Ok) & 161456 Pte JW Scott (Ok), 11 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7167 - force landed 3rd Corps dressing station after engine hit by AA fire on reconnaissance

2nd-Lieut O P D Miller (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut A H C Hoyles (Kia), 57 Sqn, DH4 A7422 – took off 08:00/09:00 and missing from bombing and photography; Ltn Max Ritter v Müller, Js2, 33rd victory [north-west of Menin at 08:45/09:45] ?

2nd-Lieut G G W Petersen (Pow), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B3583 – took off 08:45/09:45 and last seen near Passchendaele at 09:45/10:45 going south on northern area patrol

2nd-Lieut J T Orrell (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut J G Glendinning (Pow; Dow 16-Dec-17), 57 Sqn, DH4 A7679 – took off 10:10/11:10 and missing from bombing and photography; Ltn d R Heinrich Bongartz, Js36, 26th victory [north-east of Moorslede at 11:05/12:05] ?

Lieut T R Hepple (Wia) & 8399 1/AM F Rothwell (Kia), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 B3303 – took off 10:30/11:30 then brought down in flames at Villeret after attack by 5-6 EA on artillery patrol to Honnecourt; Ltn d R Wolfgang Güttler, Js13, 6th victory [Villeret at 12:10/13:10]

Capt H G E Luchford MC (Kia) & Capt J E Johnston (Pow), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7270 – took off 09:45/10:45 and last seen south-east of Passchendaele at 10:30/11:30 on offensive patrol; Ltn Walter von Bulow-Bothkamp, Js36, 28th victory [Becelaere at 10:35/11:35]

2nd-Lieut S G Spiro (Pow), 19 Sqn, Spad VII A6662 – took off 10:48/11:48 and last seen over Ypres at 12:00/13:00 on offensive patrol

Graeme