100 years ago today - 8 October 1918

[Graeme]

TUESDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1918

General Headquarters, October 9th.

“On October 8th our squadrons actively continued their operations on the whole front. Close touch was kept with our advancing troops. Smoke curtains dropped around enemy strong points proved of great value. Many targets were reported to our artillery, and photographic and reconnaissance flights were carried out. Parties of the enemy's infantry and transport were scattered by machine-gun fire, and bombs directed upon them from low altitudes. Twenty-one tons of bombs were dropped by our airmen. In air fighting, 10 German machines were destroyed and two driven down out of control. Two of the enemy's balloons were shot down in flames. Seven of our machines are missing. At night over 33½ tons of bombs were dropped by us on railways in the enemy's communications. Two trains were hit and derailed, and several large fires started in railway sidings. All our night-flying machines have returned."

RAF Communiqué No 28:

Weather: Low clouds and rain in morning, becoming fine later.

Twenty-two reconnaissances, 105 contact and counter-attack patrols.

Fourteen hostile batteries engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, 19 neutralized, 234 zone calls sent.

One and a-half tons of bombs dropped by night and 21 tons by day

On the 8th instant, two hostile batteries engaged for destruction with balloon observation and fire observed on 83 other targets.

In spite of very bad weather conditions, No 101 Squadron dropped 11 112-lb and 100 25-lb bombs on Maretz, Busigny and Premont; 21 2-lb Vickers shells and a large number of machine gun rounds were also fired on likely targets.

Low-flying scouts of the 3rd Brigade consistently bombed and shot up enemy transport and troops throughout the day to a depth of 12 miles beyond the line, causing considerable confusion and greatly hampering the enemy’s movements both in bringing up local reinforcements and in the general trend of guns and transport Eastwards.

Hostile balloons were brought down in flames by:- Capt W H Longton, No 24 Squadron; Capt M C McGregor and Lieut P D d’Albenas, No 85 Squadron (1).

Enemy Aircraft:

Active.

Capt W H Longton, 24 Sqn, Balloon in flames south of Busigny at 07:30/08:30 -

2nd-Lieut H R Messinger, 80 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames north of Brancourt at 08:10/09:10 -

Capt W H Hubbard, 73 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Maretz at 08:15/09:15 -

Lieut H W Matthews & 2nd-Lieut H W Murray, 218 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control [& USAS?] Cortemarcke at 08:15/09:15 -

Lieut W W Gyles, 210 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north-east of Roulers at 09:20/10:20 - Ltn d R Carl Berr, Ja51, parachuted and severely injured ?

Capt E Swale, 210 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames north-east of Roulers at 09:20/10:20 - Ltn d R Carl Berr, Ja51, parachuted and severely injured ?

2nd-Lieut J E Berry, 210 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north-east of Roulers at 09:23/10:23 - Ltn d R Carl Berr, Ja51, parachuted and severely injured ?

Lieut C F Pineau, 210 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north-east of Roulers at 09:23/10:23 - Ltn d R Carl Berr, Ja51, parachuted and severely injured ?

Capt A F W Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed north-east of Mametz at 11:30/12:30 -

Lieut P J Sims, 4 AFC, DFW C driven down and forced to land Lille at 11:40/12:40 -

Capt J E Greene, 213 Sqn, Fokker DVII destroyed east of Aertryke at 12:05/13:05 -

Capt F O Soden and Lieut E J Stephens, 41 Sqn, DFW C destroyed Ledeghem at 12:33/13:33 -

Capt A Hepburn & 2nd-Lieut H G Eldon, 88 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control south-west of Cambrai at 12:45/13:45 -

Capt M C McGregor and Lieut P D d'Albenas, 85 Sqn, Balloon in flames east of Maretz at 13:00/14:00 -

Capt C H R Lagesse, 29 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed south of Roulers at 13:30/14:30 -

Lieut E O Amm, 29 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control south of Roulers at 13:30/14:30 -

Lieut F A Giles, 209 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames Thun-l'Eveque at 13:40/14:40 -

2nd-Lieut M Heard, 209 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames Thun-l'Eveque at 13:40/14:40 -

2nd-Lieut C L Hurst, 209 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed south-east of Marcoing at 14:15/15:15 -

Capt C H R Lagesse, 29 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north of Roulers at 14:25/15:25 -

Lieut E O Amm, 29 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north-west of Roulers at 14:25/15:25 -

Lieut D M Murray, Lieut D M Layton and Lieut J P Murphy, 29 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames Roulers at 14:25/15:25 - Flg Kurt Oertel, Ja20, Kia [?]

Capt C H R Lagesse, No 29 Squadron, attacked with his patrol six Fokker biplanes, one of which he shot down. Shortly afterwards they again attacked another six. Capt Lagesse destroyed one of these and Lieut E O Amm another, while Lieuts D M Murray, J P Murphy and D M Layton brought dwn a third in flames

Lieut O J Rose, 92 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed north of Le Cateau at 14:40/15:40 -

2nd-Lieut C L Hurst, 209 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed south of Marcoing at 16:15/17:15 -

Lieut F W Gillet, 79 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north-east of Menin at 16:25/17:25 - Flg Kurt Oertel, Ja20, Kia [?]

Lieut F W Gillet, 79 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed Gulleghem at 16:30/17:30 -

Lieut F W Gillet, No 79 Squadron, brought down a Fokker biplane, and a little later attacked another, which was diving on a Belgian machine, which he also destroyed

2nd-Lieut J Graham & Lieut M A O'Callaghan, 7 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Moorseele at 17:00/18:00 - 2nd-Lieut J Graham and Lieut M A O'Callaghan, 7 Squadron, were attacked by seven Pfalz scouts, one of which they shot down, and was seen by our infantry to crash. They were then forced to land in “No Man’s Land,” but crawled into a ditch, regaining our lines after dark

Lieut K B Watson, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed east of Menin at 17:50/18:50 –

More to come

Graeme

[Graeme]

TUESDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1918 - Ctd

Casualties:

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut F J Walsh (Wia), 10 Sqn, AW FK8 - combat

Capt A R Cross (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut H V Alden (Ok), 15 Sqn, RE8 D4944 - crashed into tree Sh57c.N.26.b.4.3 [east of Mercatel] after interplane struts torn away by enemy shell on counter attack patrol

2nd-Lieut E G White (Wia), 17 USAS, Camel F6249 - last seen near ALG during war flying

Lieut D W Grinnell-Milne (Ok), 56 Sqn, SE5a F5481 - force landed 5 Sqn ALG after damaged by machine-gun fire from ground on COP and ground strafing

Lieut G O Wood (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut W J Carruthers (Kia), 59 Sqn, RE8 - combat

Lieut F E Robinson (Ok) & Lieut A L Wilmshurst (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8 F5887 - apparently hit by shell splinter while flying low over Briseux Wood to ascertain position of our troops on contact patrol

Lieut G W K Smith (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel F1933 ? - shot up in combat with E.A.

2nd-Lieut J C G Drummond (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut P Chavasse (Kia), 59 Sqn, RE8 E229 - took off 06:00/07:00 then missing from smoke screen Wambaix; Oblt d R Otto Schmidt, Ja5, 19th victory [north of Honcourt at 06:50/07:50] presumed Haucourt[-en-Cambresis] intended, this being 2 Km south-east of Wambaix ?

2nd-Lieut H R Messinger (Ok), 80 Sqn, Camel F6251 - took off 07:00/08:00 then shot through by enemy action on offensive patrol Fresnoy, force landed on aerodrome; Vzfw Kurt Ungewitter, Ja24, 6th victory [Bohain at 08:45/09:45] ? Bohain is 2 Km north-east of fresnoy-le-Grand

2nd-Lieut J M McChlery (Kia) & Lieut Gardenner (Wia; dow), 6 Sqn, RE8 F5904 - took off 07:00/08:00 then crashed Sh62b.M.1.d [east of Pontruet] after hit by machine-gun fire from ground and one side of main planes fell off in air on contact patrol

2nd-Lieut G D L Snyman (Kia), 73 Sqn, Camel D1856 - took off 07:45/08:45 then missing on ground strafe; Ltn Karl Plauth, Ja51, 12th victory ?

Capt H Munden (Ok) & Lieut Clark (Ok), 6 Sqn, RE8 C2749 - took off 08:20/09:20 then longeron shot through by A.A. on contact patrol Serain - Premont, returned damaged

2nd-Lieut R E Britton (Wia) & Lieut J P Thomas (Ok), 13 Sqn, RE8 F5896 - took off 08:45/09:45 then force landed (Sh57b).F.19.d.1.1 [east of Ovillers] after pilot fainted from wounds caused by machine-gun fire from ground on contact patrol

Lieut R W Hopper (Pow), 210 Sqn, Camel D3382 - last seen engaged with enemy machines on OP to Roulers 09:20/10:20

Lieut C F Pineau DFC (Pow), 210 Sqn, Camel D1868 - last seen flying west about 4 miles east of Roulers 09:25/10:25 on OP

2nd-Lieut E B Holden (Ok), 213 Sqn, Camel N6376 - force landed 09:30/10:30 after combat with 8 Fokkers on HOP

Four ‘Camels’ credited:

Ltn d R Carl Degelow, Ja40, 26th victory [Ypres, no time]
Ltn d R Carl Berr, Ja51, 1st victory [Roulers, no time]
Ltn d R Karl Plauth, Ja51, 12th victory [Roulers, no time]
Ltn d R Karl Plauth, Ja51, 13th victory [Roulers, no time]

Capt R F Browne (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut EH Sansom (Ok), 13 Sqn, RE8 E233 - took off 10:40/11:40 then longeron shot through on counter attack patrol

Capt W Walker DFC (Kia) & Lieut M A Waterer (Wia; dow 10-Oct-18), 6 Sqn, RE8 F6013 - took off 11:10/12:10 then missing from contact patrol Serain - Bohain

Capt A W Beauchamp-Proctor DSO DFC MC (Wia), 84 Sqn, SE5a C1911 – hit by ground fire 11:30/12:30 after shooting down balloon in flames

94292 Sergt-Mech J McKie (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut M Oitot (Wia, Dow), 103 Sqn, DH9 E8955 - took off 11:42/12:42 then hit by A.A., crashed and caught fire on landing from bombing raid

1st-Lieut H Burdick (Ok), 17 USAS, Camel F2141 - took off 11:35/12:35 then longeron shot through by enemy action during war flying, returned 12:55/13:55

Lieut J O MacAndrew (Wia), 92 Sqn, SE5a C9291 - took off 13:30/14:30 then longeron and main spars shot through by E.A. on offensive patrol Proyart South

Lieut W L Christian (Ok) & Lieut W F Wilson (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8 H7264 - took off 14:30/15:30 then force landed Sh57b.M.18 [east of Vaucelles] after hit by heavy fire from ground on counter attack patrol

2nd-Lieut F Cornwell (Pow), 209 Sqn, Camel E4378 - last seen diving west over Abancourt 14:30/15:30 with Fokker on his tail on low patrol

Lieut J P Murphy (Pow), 29 Sqn, SE5a C1133 - last seen over Ypres 14:40/15:40 going north on offensive patrol

2nd-Lieut W V Trubshawe (Wia), 40 Sqn, SE5a D3992 - landed in no man’s land and burnt machine north-east of Cambrai 14:50/15:50 on bombing OP

Capt D G A Allen (Kia), 209 Sqn, Camel E4423 - took off 13:00/14:00 then collided with H7278 in mid-air west of Bourlon 15:00/16:00 on low patrol

2nd-Lieut R G A Bingham (Kia), 209 Sqn, Camel H7278 - took off 13:00/14:00 then collided with E4423 in mid-air west of Bourlon 15:00/16:00 on low patrol

2nd-Lieut J Graham (Wia) & Lieut M A O'Callaghan (Wia), 7 Sqn, RE8 C2894 - attacked by E.A. and brought down Sh28.L.8 [Ledeghem] 15:20/16:20 during photography and CAP

Lieut F W Ely (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut J G McBride (Kia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B E2420 - took off 15:40/16:40 then missing on OP; OffStllv Friedrich Altemeier, Ja24, 19th victory [Brancourt at 16:30/17:30] ?

Lieut J B Mulvey (Ok) & Lieut King (Ok), 6 Sqn, RE8 C2792 - took off 15:50/16:50 then force landed Tumulus after engine failure probably due to fire from ground on contact patrol Premont-Fontaine

Graeme

[josquin]

Aircrew--6 Squadron:
Lt John Bolster Mulvey (General List & RFC/RAF) born 4 April 1899, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1911 residence, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; to be Probationary T/2Lt 14 May 1917, to be T/Lt & Flying Officer 3 October 1917; embarked to EF 20 October 1917, to 1 ASD 21 October, to 6 Sqn 28 October 1918
2Lt Gordon Alexander King (General List & RFC/RAF) born 4 December 1899,
Dufferin, Ontario, Canada;residence when attested, Oakville, Ontario, Canada;
to be Probationary T/2Lt 24 May 1917, Qualified Observer September, 1917,
to be Flying Officer (Observer) 10 November 1917; to 6 Sqn 3 September
1917; awarded D.F.C. 13 June 1918; died 15 May 1936, Toronto, Ontario
2Lt James Morrison McChlery (RAF) born 4 September 1899, Tradeston, Glasgow, Scotland; embarked to EF 24 August 1918, to 1 ASD 25 August, to 6 Sqn 3 September 1918
2Lt John Vernon Gardenner (Royal Engineers 106360 Cpl & RAF 2Lt) born 22 December 1897, Camborne, Cornwall, 1901 & 1911 residence, same;
embarked to EF 22 August 1918; to 6 Sqn 30 August 1918
Capt Harry Munden (Somerset Light Infantry Lt & RFC/RAF Capt) born 8 June 1897, Bristol; 1911 residence, same; embarked to EF 8 August 1916, to 6 Sqn 15 August 1916, to be Flying Officer 2 July 1917, to 7 Sqn 28 July 1917, Flt Commander in Army List March 1918, to 6 Sqn (again; no date); awarded D.F.C.; with "A: Flight, 1919-20
Lt Wilfred Arnold Clark (General List & RFC/RAF) see "100 Years Ago Today" for
2 September 1918

Josquin

[MASTIFF]

Other Jasta claims this date:


Vfw Max Schnell, Js58, SE5, Cambrai, 0840hrs, first victory.

Obltn Adolf Gutknecht, Js43, SE5, S Cambrai, 1500hrs, zlg. JWC links this with Trubshawe on D3992.

Ltn Hans von der Marwitz, Js30, SE5, Gouzeaucourt, 1515hrs, 13th victory. JWC links this with Murphy on C1133.

Ltn Werner Junck, CO Js8, Spad, Bricquenay, 1630hrs, 3rd victory.

Ltn Walter Blume, Js9, Dolphin, N Remaucourt, 1640hrs, 28th victory. JWC links this with Cornwell on E4378.

Ltn Werner Preuss, Js66, French 2-seater, Pinon, 1800hrs, 19th victory. Possibly from Esc Sal.24.

Uffz Karl Fervers, Js B, Camel, Cambrai-Cagnoncles, no time, 4th victory.

Ltn Paul Baumer, Js B, Camel, Bautigny, no time, 42nd victory.

Ltn Josef Jacobs, Js7, balloon, Kemmelberg, no time, 41st victory.

Uffz August Eigenbrodt, Js7, Dolphin, no time or location, 3rd victory.

Ltn Friedrich von Roth, Js16, BF2b, Gheluvelt, no time, 24th victory. JWC links this with Graham & Callaghan on C2894.

Ltn Willisch, Js27, no info given, first victory.

Uffz Siegfried Westphal, Js29, Spad XVI, no time or location, 4th victory.

Ltn Kohlpoth, Js56, Camel, Ingelmunster, no time, 2nd victory.


Other Jasta casualties:


Uffz August Eigenbrodt, Js7, lightly WIA, no other info.


Tony

[Graeme]

Obltn Adolf Gutknecht, Js43, SE5, S Cambrai, 1500hrs, zlg. JWC links this with Trubshawe on D3992.

The location isn't too bad, but the time is a bit of an issue, Trubshawe going down at 15:50, German Time.

Ltn Hans von der Marwitz, Js30, SE5, Gouzeaucourt, 1515hrs, 13th victory. JWC links this with Murphy on C1133.

I think we can safely dispense with the notion of these two meeting - Ypres and Gouzeaucourt are over 80 Km from each other!

Ltn Walter Blume, Js9, Dolphin, N Remaucourt, 1640hrs, 28th victory. JWC links this with Cornwell on E4378.

Cornwell was last seen at 15:30, German time; I'm not at all persuaded by this one.

Ltn Friedrich von Roth, Js16, BF2b, Gheluvelt, no time, 24th victory. JWC links this with Graham & Callaghan on C2894.

Gheluvelt is about 9 Km south-west of Ledeghem and since the locations aren't an ideal match, the lack of a time made me cautious about suggesting this link.

Graeme

[MikeMeech]

Hi

L-M's 'History' has the following detail:

"On October 7th Nos. 8 and 73 Squadrons moved to HERVILLY. From this time onwards very few Battalions were employed in any one day, and as we were fairly close to them it made it easy to make our arrangements. On October 8th the two Squadrons co-operated with the 1st and 301st Battalions under the 4th Brigade, and the 3rd and 6th Battalions under the 3rd Brigade, the objectives being SERAIN, PREMONT, BRANCOURT and VILLERS OUTREAUX. 82 Tanks in all were employed. The weather was distinctly bad for flying there being low clouds and occasional rain. However, a great deal of flying was done, the Camels altogether dropping 200 bombs and firing 25,000 rounds at anti-tank guns on this and the following day. Lieut. Trites (pilot) and Lieut. Hicklin (observer) saw the Tanks taking SERAIN. As the Tanks were approaching the village, one going right into the centre of it. Another attacked the orchard just to the South, mopping up parties of Germans. Another Tank came round the North of the village and was approaching a small
valley in which were two or three hundred Germans, who were in dead ground. On seeing the Tank approaching, the Germans fled East; Lieut. Trites and Lieut. Hicklin then fired their machine guns into them doing great execution. They also saw another Tank capture several MG posts to the North of SERAIN. Lieut. Trites then dropped a message on the 3rd Battalion to whom the Tank belonged."

Mike

[James A. Pratt III]

NB
claim 20 aircraft air combat 3 by flak and 1 balloon
losses 2 aircraft and 2 balloons

FASWC
S/lt Bourjade & Sgt Garin Spa 152-1 balloon

[James A. Pratt III]

FASWC
casualties
Lt Vedie Spa 235 (P) WIA IV Armee Spad 2, ground fire
Sol Pellini Sal 24 (G) WIA Salmson 2A2
S/Lt Bejamin Girardot (o0 WIA Salmson, ground fire
S/lt Boulommier Br 213 (O) WIA flak
Adj Argobast ? (P) WIA flak

? (O) Ok 26 cie d'Aerostiers IV Armee (SF! has SS 21 Uffz Hummel & Gefr Klein
Sgt gravier (O) OK 61 Cie d'aerostiers II Armee attacked not flamed

[James A. Pratt III]

CGAS
Ofstv Fritz Stephen (P) POW & Uffz Gerhard Greulich (G) KIA SS 17 Avelu (German 2 Armee)
Vfw Hermann Fluge (P) KIA &, LtndR Ernst Sauer (O) KIA BG 1 Bellenglise
Vfw Goroll (P) WIA BG 1 Bellenglise all same crew?
Ltndr Heinrich Weisharr (O) FAA 212 Chauny WIA 13 oct 18 Charerloi DOW (German 17 Armee)

? (P) ? & Flg Heinrich Schmidt (G) SS 23 (German 1 Armee WIA (ground fire)
Ltn walter (P) WIA & Ltn Weisshaar (O) WIA FAA 212 (German 17 Armee)