100 years ago today - 18 October 1918

[Graeme]

FRIDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1918

General Headquarters, October 19th.

“On October 18th flying operations were again greatly handicapped by low clouds and thick mist, but our machines continued their activity, and accomplished some reconnaissance and photographic work. A very successful attack was carried out from a low altitude on Tournai junction, and on troops transport, and German aerodromes in the vicinity. An ammunition train was blown up and set on fire from end to end, another train received four direct hits, and a large explosion was caused in the station. Hangars at two aerodromes were set on fire, transport columns were hit, and many casualties were caused to enemy troops by machine-gun fire. During the day over six tons of bombs were dropped by us. German aeroplanes shewed very little activity throughout the day. In air fighting, three of the enemy's machines were shot down and two were driven down out of control. In addition, one hostile machine was shot down in our lines by rifle fire from our infantry. Two of our machines are missing. In spite of the thick mist, some of our night -bombing machines succeeded in dropping 3½ tons of bombs on railways on the enemy's lines of communication, obtaining direct hits on sidings and permanent way. All these machines have returned.”

Headquarters R.A.F., Independent Force, October 19th.

“On the afternoon of the 18th inst. our machines attacked the railways at Metz-Sablon. Observation was difficult, but bursts were observed on the railway workshops and in the railway triangle. All our machines returned. On the night of the 18th-19th inst. the railways at Saarburg were attacked. Weather conditions were very bad and results could not be observed. We had no casualties.”

RAF Communiqué No 29:

Weather: Fair, overcast, very misty.

Thirty-eight reconnaissances, 44 contact and counter-attack patrols; 15 zone calls sent.

Unfavourable weather conditions prevented night bombing; 6¼ tons of bombs by day.

On the 18th instant, two hostile batteries neutralized, two registrations and a shoot on one other target carried out by balloons of the 5th Brigade.

A very successful bombing machine-gun attack on Tournai and district was carried out by 2nd and 4th Squadrons A.F.C., Nos 88 and 103 Squadrons under extremely bad weather conditions, the whole raid being led by Capt E D Cummings, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., whose Squadron attacked at a height of from 50 to 1,000 feet, obtaining four direct hits on trains in the vicinity of Tournai. The ammunition of an A.A. battery was blown up, and mechanical transport shot and bombed, two vehicles running into a ditch and turning over. Many other troops and transport were also attacked. Seven direct hits with bombs were secured on hangars on Froyennes aerodrome, five or six of which were blazing furiously when the raid passed on. The aerodrome at Pont-a-Chin received direct hits on hangars, three of which were set on fire. One Fokker biplane was destroyed and one driven down out of control.

No 103 Squadron, following 2nd Squadron A.F.C., caused a large explosion in Tournai Station with bombs and started several fires in the station buildings; an ammunition train received a direct hit, several explosions started and the train was seen to be burning from end to end.

Meanwhile, No 88 Squadron destroyed one Fokker biplane and drove down two others out of control. They then attacked ground targets with bombs and machine-gun fire, causing casualties to troops on the march.

Enemy Aircraft:

Only slight E.A. activity reported.

Lieut Spriggs & Lieut O Berridge, 8 Sqn, two-seater in flames by Berridge –

Lieut F Alberry, 2 AFC, Fokker DVII out of control north of Tournai at 12:30/13:30 –

Lieut G H Blaxland, 2 AFC, Fokker DVII crashed south-east of Tournai at 12:50/13:50 –

Lieut H R Hanmer & Lieut A Tranter, 88 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed north-west of Tournai at 13:00/14:00 –

Lieut H R Hanmer & Lieut A Tranter, 88 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control north-west of Tournai at 13:00/14:00 –

Lieut E J Lussier, 73 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control north of Le Cateau at 15:00/16:00 –

Casualties:

? (Ok) & Lieut R N K Jones (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 - machine-gun fire

Lieut E C Brown (Kia), 85 Sqn, SE5a E5807 - anti-aircraft fire

Capt J P Findlay (Wia) & ? (Ok), 88 Sqn, Bristol F.2B - combat?

Capt A Hepburn (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut D Vavasour (Ok), 88 Sqn, Bristol F.2B E2579 - longeron shot by fire from ground on SM

Lieut J W Richards (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut A M Mitchell (Wia), 104 Sqn IF, DH9 D530 - shot up on bombing

Lieut R Coulthard (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut L Timmins (Pow), 202 Sqn, DH4 N5997 - shot down by machine-gun fire Zeebrugge Mole 07:05/08:05

2nd-Lieut S Hall (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut G P Blake (Kia), 4 Sqn, RE8 C2866 - took off 12:15/13:15 then missing on reconnaissance

Lieut E E Davies (Ok), 2 Sqn AFC, SE5a D6860 - took off 11:40/12:40 then force landed Bois Grenier 13:20/14:20 after oil tank pierced by enemy gunfire on OP Tournai

Lieut T H Upfill (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut J C Walker (Kia), 59 Sqn, RE8 D4909 - took off 14:30/15:30 then shot down by E.A. at (Sh57b).D.12.c.5.0 [south-west of Solesmes]; Ltn d R Heinrich Henkel, Ja37, 6th victory [west of Solesmes at 16:45/17:45]

Graeme