100 years ago today

Graeme · 23 October 2018, 01:41 AM

WEDNESDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1918

General Headquarters, October 10th.

"All branches of flying operations were energetically continued on October 9th. Numerous targets were reported to our artillery. Observation of the resultant fire showed that much damage was caused and many fires and explosions started in enemy battery positions. Useful information was obtained, and a large number of photographs were brought in by our reconnaissance photographic machines. Close co-operation was kept with our advancing troops, and their movements reported to the headquarters concerned Squadrons of aircraft flew low over the retreating enemy, causing destruction and confusion in their columns by bombs and machine-gun fire. Railway junctions at Mons Valenciennes, and Lille were attacked with bombs, and direct hits were observed on the permanent way. In all over 33 tons of bombs were dropped by us. German aeroplanes showed activity, and considerable fighting in the air resulted. Twenty-one enemy machines were shot down and nine were driven down out of control. Nine of our machines are missing. The weather conditions at night prevented our night-bombing machines from carrying out their work."

Headquarters R.A.F., Independent Force., October 9th.

"On the morning of the 9th inst. our squadrons heavily bombed the railways at Metz-Sablon. One direct hit was obtained on two trains and 19 others on workshops, sidings and railway lines. All our machines returned."

RAF Communiqué No 28:

Weather: Fair.

Sixty reconnaissances, 121 contact and counter-attack patrols.

Nineteen hostile batteries engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, 11 neutralized, 256 zone calls sent.

Twenty-one and a half tons of bombs dropped by night and 35 tons by day.

On the 9th instant, four hostile batteries engaged for destruction with balloon observation and fire observed on 33 other targets.

Patrols of No 208 Squadron dropped 117 25-lb bombs during the day on enemy troops and transport, four bombs being dropped on a train in Busigny.

Enemy Aircraft:

Enemy aircraft activity was considerable.

Capt D Waten, 40 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control -

Capt L Campbell & 2nd-Lieut W Hodgkinson, 62 Sqn, Fokker DVII destroyed Preseau -

Lieut A Webster, 70 Sqn, E.A. destroyed -

Lieut J M Mackay, 201 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed -

2nd-Lieut H N Kerr and 2nd-Lieut C H Thornton, 4 AFC, LVG C captured Nieppe at 05:45/06:45 - 2nd-Lieut H N Kerr and 2nd-Lieut C H Thornton, 4th Squadron A.F.C., attacked an L.V.G. two-seater, one on each side, and compeled it to land on our side of the lines; Sgt Grey & Ltn d R Kohnke, FA13, both Pow

Lieut A T Drinkwater, 40 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control north-east of Cambrai at 07:40/08:40 -

Lieut R R Spafford, 40 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control north-east of Cambrai at 07:50/08:50 -

Capt M D Allen & 2nd-Lieut W A Owens, 49 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control smoking Aulnoye at 08:10/09:10 -

2nd-Lieut W H Bland, 65 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Menin - Roulers at 08:10/09:10 -

Lieut M A Newnham, 65 Sqn, Fokker DVII broke up Menin - Roulers at 08:10/09:10 -

Lieut M A Newnham, 65 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Menin - Roulers at 08:10/09:10 -

Lieut R L McK Barbour & Capt M F M Wright, 205 Sqn, Fokker DVII destroyed Busigny at 08:30/09:30 -

Capt A Hepburn & 2nd-Lieut H G Eldon, 88 Sqn, Fokker DVII destroyed Seclin at 08:45/09:45 -

Capt C B Glynn, 74 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames east of Roulers at 08:55/09:55 -

Capt S T Liversedge, 70 Sqn, LVG C crashed Inglemunster at 09:30/10:30 -

2nd-Lieut O A P Heron, 70 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed east of Roulers at 09:40/10:40 -

2nd-Lieut O A P Heron, 70 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed Roulers at 09:41/10:41 -

Lieut K B Watson, 70 Sqn, Fokker DVII captured south of Roulers at 09:45/10:45 -

Capt S T Liversedge, Lieut O A P Heron, Lieut E A Copp and Lieut K B Watson, 70 Sqn, Fokker DVII captured south of Magermeirie at 09:45/10:45 -

A patrol of No 70 Squadron, led by Capt S T Liversedge, chased two L.V.G.’s over Courtrai, one of which Capt Liversedge shot down, but they were then attacked by eight Fokker biplanes. Lieut O A Heron and Lieut E A Copp each shot down one of these, and a second, engaged by the former, crashed into a tree. Lieut A Webster and Lieut K B Watson also each destroyed one E.A., and a seventh was chased West by the whole patrol and destroyed

2nd-Lieut T H Barkell, 4 AFC, Balloon in flames west of Douai at 09:55/10:55 -

Lieut F R Smith, 2 AFC, Fokker DVII out of control Lille - Armentières at 10:15/11:15 -

Lieut F R Smith, 2 AFC, Fokker DVII out of control Lille - Armentières at 10:15/11:15 -

2nd-Lieut T G Rae & Sergt T F Perkin, 48 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north of Courtrai at 10:45/11:45 -

Lieut G F Manning & Sergt H F Monday, 48 Sqn, Fokker crashed Courtrai at 10:50/11:50 -

Capt F J Phillips & 2nd-Lieut J W London, 48 Sqn, Fokker crashed north-west of Courtrai at 10:55/11:55 -

A patrol of No 48 Squadron engaged 12 Fokker biplanes, one of which was shot down by Lieut T G Rae and Sergt T F Perkin, and was seen to crash into some trees. Capt F J Phillips and 2nd Lieut J W London also brought down one, while a third was shot down in flames by Lieut G F Manning and Sergt H F Monday

Capt T W Nash, 204 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames Lichtervelde at 11:05/12:05 -

Lieut O J Rose, 92 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north of Montigny at 11:15/12:15 -

2nd-Lieut J D Lightbody, 204 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Courtrai at 11:20/12:20 -

Lieut F G Bayley, 204 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Courtrai at 11:20/12:20 -

Capt A Beck, 60 Sqn, LVG C crashed (captured?) Bohain at 11:40/12:40 - Capt A Beck, No 60 Squadron, shot down an L.V.G. two-seater in flames, which fell on our side of the lines

2nd-Lieut T W Sleigh & 2nd-Lieut A H Fuller, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control east of Valenciennes at 12:40/13:40 -

2nd-Lieut E A R Lee & 2nd-Lieut A A Douglas, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames Valenciennes at 13:15/14:15 -

2nd-Lieut T W Sleigh & 2nd-Lieut A H Fuller, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Mons at 13:15/14:15 -

Capt D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Hannover Cl crashed west of Ricqueval Wood at 14:30/15:30 -

Capt J W Pinder, 45 Sqn IF, Rumpler C out of control Xaffevillers at 15:00/16:00 -

Sergt H H Dowdell, 84 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north of Trois-Villes at 15:25/16:25 -

Lieut J G Kerr & 2nd-Lieut G Gardner, 205 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames Le Cateau at 15:30/16:30 -

Capt L H Rochford and Lieut W Sidebottom, 203 Sqn, Rumpler C in flames St Aubert at 16:30/17:30 - ? (Ok) & Oblt Ludwig Schonheit (Wia, Dow), FA 269[?]

Lieut D C Inglis, 85 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed 57b.W.10.b.76 (east of Saint-Martin-Rivière) at 16:35/17:35 -

Lieut N Thomas & 2nd-Lieut W N Cooper, 48 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Courtrai at 16:50/17:50 -

more to come

Graeme

Graeme · 23 October 2018, 01:41 AM

WEDNESDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1918 - Ctd

Casualties:

2nd-Lieut E E Welby (Wia) & ? (Ok), 6 Sqn, RE8 - machine-gun fire

2nd-Lieut G A Ballantyne (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut W C Treen (Wia), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 D5144 - shot through in attack by E.A. on line patrol

Lieut S A Desmore (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut N C B Carrick (Ok), 9 Sqn, RE8 C2605 - shot through by enemy action during photography

2nd-Lieut N H Bain (Wia) & ? (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 - combat

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut C H A Collyns (Wia), 15 Sqn, RE8 - combat

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J Warren (Wia), 49 Sqn, DH9 - combat

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut R A Clarke (Wia), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B - combat

Capt C B Glynn (Inj), 74 Sqn, SE5a E5761 - damaged by enemy action on OP near Moorslede

Lieut P D d'Albenas (Ok), 85 Sqn, SE5a E5695 - force landed in shell holes at 62b.B.7.a [east of Beaurevoir] due enemy action on offensive patrol

Lieut T C McNeale (Kia), 73 Sqn, Camel F6397 - took off 05:30/06:30 then missing on ground strafe; ground fire or Uffz Franz Ulm, Ja34, 1st victory [north of Maretz at 07:00/08:00] ?

2nd-Lieut H N Kerr (Wia), 4 Sqn AFC, Camel E7190 - took off 05:20/06:20 then hit telegraph wires in forced landing near Steenwerck 05:50/06:50 after pilot wounded on special mission

Lieut G C Brown (Wia; dow 10-Oct-18) & 2nd-Lieut F Rabey (Kia), 53 Sqn, RE8 D6804 - force landed Sh28.I.36.b [Klein Zillebeke] 06:30/07:30 after shot through in aerial combat on NF patrol

Capt L Campbell (Kia) & Lieut W Hodgkinson (kia), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B E2256 - took off 06:45/07:45 and last seen going down over Foret du Mormal under control after general aerial combat after crossing lines and return journey from Aulnoye junction on escort to bomb raid

Lieut J E Sitch (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut D S Fox (Pow), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B E2528 - last seen going down apparently out of control south-east of Cambrai 08:00/09:00 after general aerial combat after crossing lines and on return journey from Aulnoye junction on escort to bomb raid

‘Bristols’ were credited to:

Ltn d R Paul Bäumer, Ja2, 43rd victory [Preseau, no time] but this would appear to be too far south of Aulnoye
Gefr Tracinski, Ja57, 1st victory [Beuvry, no time] but this is too far north-west of Aulnoye

Lieut J G Kershaw (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W L Walker (Ok), 108 Sqn, DH9 B9417 - took off 08:05/09:05 then force landed east of Zillebeke on bomb raid to Hallum [Halluin?]

Lieut W E Bardgett (Pow), 74 Sqn, SE5a D6976 - took off 08:20/09:20 then missing on patrol

2nd-Lieut W A Crich (Ok) & Sergt-Mech H L Dodson (Ok), 49 Sqn, DH9 D1108 - took off 05:55/06:55 then shot through by gunfire during bombing Aulnoye junction, returned aerodrome 08:55/09:55

2nd-Lieut J M Poe (Kia), 70 Sqn, Camel E7219 - last seen north-east of Courtrai 09:30/10:30 on its back during offensive patrol and bombing

2nd-Lieut D E Webb (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut J H Thomson (Kia), 107 Sqn, DH9 D1107 - took off 10:58/11:58 then missing from bombing Mons Station; Ltn d R Otto Löffler, Ja2, 14th victory [Thulin - Sebourg – Roisin at 13:40/14:40] ?

2nd-Lieut C Houlgrave (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut W M Thompson (Kia), 107 Sqn, DH9 F5846 - took off 10:58/11:58 then missing from bombing Mons Station; Ltn d R Hermann Vallendor, Ja2, 5th victory [Sebourg at 13:40/14:40] ?

2nd-Lieut J E Gibbons (Kia), 209 Sqn, Camel F3223 - took off 14:00/15:00 then collided with balloon cable on low patrol Villers-les-Cagnicourt

Lieut W H Jordan (Ok), 40 Sqn, SE5a B8445 - took off 15:00/16:00 then force landed and abandoned near Escadoeures, north-east of Cambrai after radiator hit by machine-gun fire from ground during bombing OP

2nd-Lieut W L Field (Wia), 40 Sqn, SE5a E4037 - took off 15:00/16:00 then force landed and abandoned near Escaudoeuvres, north-east of Cambrai during bombing OP

Lieut E Shapard (Ok), 92 Sqn, SE5a F5541 - took off 16:05/17:05 then steel fuselage bracing tube shot through on offensive patrol Estrees

Lieut H T B Lockwood (Ok), 54 Sqn, Camel F1976 - took off 16:20/17:20 then crashed in forced landing near Marquion due rocker arm breaking after being shot by enemy fire on special mission with bombs

Lieut W D Archer (Wia), 40 Sqn, SE5a E4089 - hit bank which wrenched off undercarriage in forced landing Petit Fontaine west of Cambrai 16:45/17:45 after radiator and engine hit by machine-gun fire from ground on bombing OP

2nd-Lieut H Thomas (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut F H V Coomer (Ok), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B E2510 - took off 15:45/16:45 then damaged in combat on OP Courtrai, returned 17:00/18:00

Graeme

MASTIFF · 23 October 2018, 05:27 PM

Other Jasta claims this date:

Ltn Rudolf Otto, Js68, Spad, Billy, 0910hrs, 5th victory.

Sgt (?) Frohlich, Js46, DH9, Sebourg, 1440hrs, unconfirmed.

Ltn Helmut Steinbrecher, Js46, DH9, Sebourg-Roisin, 1440hrs, unconfirmed.

Ltn Georg von Hantelmann, Js15, Spad, E Montfaucon, 1615hrs, 21st victory.

Ltn Hugo Schafer, Js15, Spad, Montfaucon, 1615hrs, 11th victory.

Uffz Dannemann, Js56, Breguet, Ardoye, 1615hrs, 2nd victory.

Vfw Krebs, Js56, Breguet, Ardoye, 1617hrs, 3rd victory.

Ltn Gropler, Js8, unidentified aircraft, no location, 1700hrs, first victory.

Ltn Oliver von Beaulieu-Marconnay, CO Js19, Spad, Crepion, 1730hrs, 24th victory.

Vfw Wilhelm Seitz, Js68, 2-seater, Etain, 1730hrs, 13th victory.

Ltn Max Nather, Js62, balloon, Montfaucon, 1740hrs, 18th victory. #151, 7th Balloon Coy, USBS.

Ltn Max Nather, Js62, Spad, Montfaucon, 1745hrs, 19th victory. Aircraft of 213th Aero.

Ltn Josef Jacobs, Js7, balloon, SW Dixmuiden, no time, 42nd victory.

Ltn Josef Jacobs, Js7, balloon, SW Dixmuiden, no time, 43rd victory.

Ltn Josef Jacobs, Js7, Camel, no time or location, unconfirmed.

Ltn Werner Niethammer, Js13, Salmson, no time or location, 5th victory.

Obltn Harald Auffarth, CO JGr3, BF2b, no time or location, 22nd victory.

Obltn Harald Auffarth, CO JGr3, Camel, no time or location, 23rd victory. Spad VII of Belgian 10e Escadrille ?

OfStv Gustav Dorr, Js45, Breguet, Coucy le Chateau, no time, 32nd victory.

Ltn Karl Plauth, Js51, Salmson, Iseghem, no time, 14th victory.

Flgmt Gerhard Hubrich, MFJ4, Dolphin, Zarren, no time, 7th victory.

Jasta casualties:

Obltn Waldemar von Dazur, Js20, lightly WIA, remained with Jasta.

Ltn Hans Braun, Js34, killed in collision with Uffz Franz Ulm, 1100hrs, Croix Fonsomme. Ulm survived.

Ltn Gerhard Hoffmann, Js68, KIA, Preutin, no other info.

Uffz Paul Dyrbusch, Js68, KIA, Preutin, no other info.

Tony

MikeMeech · 24 October 2018, 07:32 AM

Hi

From L-M's 'History':

"The Tanks were again in action on October 9th. Lieutenants Ballantyre and Treen, MC, DCM, were the first Tank Contact machine to go up. When they had only been on the line 20 minutes they were attacked over MARETZ by 7 Fokker Biplanes, which had come from the direction of the sun and consequently surprised them. Wit the first burst Lieut. Ballantyre got a bullet through his elbow and Lieut. Treen had a wound in the head and the knuckle of his first finger on his right hand blown off. Also the woodwork of the machine between the pilot and the observer caught fire. This Lieut. Treen beat out with his hands, and then turned round and opened fire on the hostile scouts, one of which he brought down in flames. In the meantime Lieut. Ballantyre had been zig-zagging the machine as much as possible so as to put the Germans off their aim. He then managed to fly the machine back to the aerodrome and give his information concerning the Tanks. A message was immediately written which another machine dropped on the 4th Battalion. For this very gallant action both Lieutenants Ballantyre and Treen subsequently received the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Mike

James A. Pratt III · 30 October 2018, 04:51 PM

NB
claim 24 aircraft air combat 3 by flak
losses 5 aircraft 1 balloon

FASWC
claims
J 68 Hoffman and Drybush possibly by S/lt Coadou and S/lt Le Comte 7 Cpl Canntener Spa 88

J 6 Nortenius Fokker D7 damaged Spad either FAS or US can't tell

casualties
Brig Raymond Tertain Spa 89 (P) KIA Spad VII
Asp Augustine Spa 55 (O) WIA Spad XVI ground fire
Cpt Landormy (P) WIA & Lt Pierre Veunevet (O) OK Br 238 Breguet 14B2
Sgt Pierre Chanel WIA & S/lt Marie Celerier (O) WIA Sal 6 Salmson 2A2 combat with a Foffer DrI
Asp gaston Briaumont Br 129 (P) WIA

James A. Pratt III · 30 October 2018, 05:05 PM

1 german balloon lost claims by 4 AFC and Rickenbacker 94US

CGAS
Ltn Klein IIC & Vfw Bruno Grutze KIC? BG 6 Chimay Belguim
Flg Hermann Biwer (P) & LtndR Gunther Dobers (O) BG 4 Erquelinnes both killed
LtndR Karl Poenicke (P) FAA 217 Haucourt (German2 Armee)
Ltn Wilhelm Schmolke (P) IIC & possibly Obltn Ludwig Schnoheit (O) WIA/DOW St Aubert by 203 Sqn
Ltndr friedrich Stumpf (P) n& LtndR friedrich Koeberlein (O) FAA 255 Soupir both killed (German7 Armee)
Ltndr Hans Brandel & Ltndr Botho Bieber FAA 245 St Quentin (possibly 60 Sqn claim?)

James A. Pratt III · 30 October 2018, 05:06 PM

more CGAS
Ltndr Kollar FAA 244 WIA (German 5 Armee US or FAS)

James A. Pratt III · 30 October 2018, 05:56 PM

the J 15 Hantlemann and Schafer claims are probably 27 US 1Lt Hudson and 2Lt Hollis a Cross both WIA

Sethspeirs · 15 November 2018, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme

WEDNESDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1918 - Ctd

Capt L Campbell (Kia) & Lieut W Hodgkinson (kia), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B E2256 - took off 06:45/07:45 and last seen going down over Foret du Mormal under control after general aerial combat after crossing lines and return journey from Aulnoye junction on escort to bomb raid

Lieut J E Sitch (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut D S Fox (Pow), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B E2528 - last seen going down apparently out of control south-east of Cambrai 08:00/09:00 after general aerial combat after crossing lines and on return journey from Aulnoye junction on escort to bomb raid

‘Bristols’ were credited to:

Ltn d R Paul Bäumer, Ja2, 43rd victory [Preseau, no time] but this would appear to be too far south of Aulnoye
Gefr Tracinski, Ja57, 1st victory [Beuvry, no time] but this is too far north-west of Aulnoye

Graeme

The official history (vol6 p538) suggests that the mission to bomb Aulnoye was abandoned in favour of Valenciennes, which would make the Bäumer claim more credible as Preseau is just to the SE of Valenciennes.

This photo suggests that certainly claimed something tangible, though it doesn't given any aircraft details.

Graeme · 15 November 2018, 12:28 PM

Campbell and Hodgkinson were last seen over the Foret de Mormal, 6 Km or so west of Aulnoye, so were perhaps diverting from Aulnoye. However, this still places them some 18 km south-east of Préseau, so I'm not totally sold on the link with Bäumer.

Graeme