100 years ago today - 13 September 1918

[Graeme]

FRIDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1918

General Headquarters, September 14th.

“On September 13th clouds and rain again much interfered with operations in the air. During brighter intervals a number of photographs were taken, and our machines observed wherever possible for artillery fire. Contact patrol work had to be carried on at a very low altitude. One enemy machine was brought down in air fighting during the day and two were driven down out of control. At night two hostile night-bombing machines were brought down. Ten tons of bombs were dropped by us in the course of 24 hours. All our machines employed during this period have returned."

General Headquarters, September 14th.

"During the evening of yesterday strong hostile forces, assisted by a squadron of low-flying German aeroplanes, attacked our new positions at Havrincourt, and were repulsed with great loss "

Headquarters R.A.F., Independent Force, September 13th.

“Night of the 12th-13th inst.—In conjunction with the attack of the American First Army, the railways at Metz-Sablon and Courcelles were heavily bombed by us with good results. Metz station, searchlights, and transport were attacked with machine-gun fire. On the 13th inst., in favourable weather, operations were continued against Metz-Sablon, other railway junctions, and enemy transport on the battle front. Nearly 7½ tons of bombs were dropped and good results were observed. One hostile machine was destroyed. Two of our machines are missing."

RAF Communiqué No 24:

Weather: Overcast, rain showers, fair intervals.

Thirty reconnaissances, 28 contact and counter-attack patrols.

Fourteen hostile batteries engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, 22 neutralized, 170 zone calls sent.

A quarter ton of bombs dropped by night, and 5½ tons by day.

Enemy Aircraft:

Slight.

Lieut N N Coope & 2nd-Lieut H S Mantle, 62 Sqn, E.A. destroyed

Lieut Malcom & Lieut Alexander, 104 Sqn IF, Fokker DVII out of control [by Alexander]

2nd-Lieut E A Kenney, 208 Sqn, DFW C out of control

Lieut M G Howell, 208 Sqn, DFW C out of control south of Hénin-Liétard at 07:50/08:50 -

2nd-Lieut A D Mackenzie & 2nd-Lieut C E Bellord, 104 Sqn IF, Pfalz Scout out of control [by Bellord] south of Metz at 13:00/14:00 -

2nd-Lieut W T Jones & 2nd-Lieut E C Black, 99 Sqn IF, Fokker DVII crashed [by Black] Arnaville Junction at 17:25/18:25 -

Lieut A E Reed, 29 Sqn, Halberstadt CL crashed Armentières at 17:50/18:50 -

2nd-Lieut H C Knotts, 17 USAS, Fokker DVII out of control 57c.E.21.d (south-east of Mœuvres) at 18:50/19:50 -

Capt W H Haynes, 151 Sqn, Gotha ? in flames Bapaume at 21:25/22:25 -

Lieut E P MacKay, 151 Sqn, Friedrichshafen G captured Moislains at 21:30/22:30 - Ltn d R Wilhelm Schwaderer & Ltn Kolb & Gfr Vohvogel, 1/BG1, all Pow [?]

Capt W H Haynes, 151 Sqn, Friedrichshafen out of control north-east of Bapaume at 21:40/22:40 -

Casualties:

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut G C Schofield (Wia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B - combat?

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut B Hurdus (Wia), 52 Sqn, RE8 - injured in forced landing?

2nd-Lieut J L Hunter (Wia) & ? (Ok), 99 Sqn IF, DH9 B9347 - shot up by E.A. during bombing

? (Ok) & Lieut H S Notley (Wia), 99, 99 Sqn IF, DH9 D1668 - anti-aircraft fire

2nd-Lieut E E Crosby (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut W P Wogan-Brown (Kia), 99 Sqn IF, DH9 D1670 - broke up and crashed in American lines during bomb raid; Vzfw Klose, Ja54, 2nd victory [Serrières at 16:50/17:50] ?

2nd-Lieut F A Wood (KIa) & 2nd-Lieut C Bridgett (Kia), 99 Sqn IF, DH9 D3218 - shot down after bombing Metz-Sablon; Vfw Delang, Ja54, 3rd victory [St Généviève at 16:50/17:50] ?

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut T J Bond (Wia), 104 Sqn IF, DH9 D1050 - shot up bombing Metz-Sablon

Graeme