100 years ago - the missing months, 8 July 1916

[Graeme]

SATURDAY, 8 JULY 1916

General Headquarters, July 8th, 11.12 p.m.

"Despite the cloudy weather, our aeroplanes and kite balloons did some useful work taking photographs and directing the fire of our batteries. A large explosion was caused in one of the enemy's ammunition depots, and bombs were dropped on his billets.

"One of our machines, although disabled, sustained a running fight for twenty minutes with three hostile aeroplanes, and afterwards landed safely in our own aerodrome.

"With this exception few enemy machines were seen, and these were far behind his own trenches."

General Headquarters, July 8th, 12.20 p.m.

"Despite the unfavourable weather, our aeroplanes rendered valuable service. In addition to active co-operation with the artillery and important reconnaissance work, they bombed the hostile aerodrome at Douai, completely wrecking a hangar and doing other material damage."

RFC Communique No 42:

The weather was again unfavourable.

Three reconnaissances flying at low altitudes were successfully accomplished. Nineteen targets were engaged with aeroplane observation and 8 by kite balloons.

Hostile aeroplanes continued their activities, but well to the east of the line. All the reconnaissances were attacked, but without decisive results.

A contact patrol of 9 Sqn reported in detail the positions of the French and our own troops in the neighbourhood of Malz Horn trench and Trones Wood.

Capt Evans and Lieut Long, 3 Sqn, attacked and dispersed a column of infantry with machine-gun fire.

Capt Cruikshank on a Sopwith of 70 Sqn, observer 2nd-Lieut Cruickshank, with two other Sopwiths of the same Squadron, reconnoitred the railways radiating from Cambrai, starting at 5 a.m. Capt Cruikshank became separated from the other two machines when over Cambrai, and was attacked by three Fokkers. His observer was wounded, and his aileron controls cut at the commencement of the fight. He carried on a running fight for about 20 minutes, during which one of the Fokkers disappeared. At the end of 20 minutes, after a steep nose dive, he found himself over the trenches, and subsequently recognising that he was over St Omer, landed there. 2nd-Lieut Cruickshank subsequently died in hospital at St Omer.

ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE DAILY SUMMARY:

Seven engagements with hostile machines occurred during the afternoon, one of which appeared to be decisive in our favour.

At 3.05 p.m. a new type of Fokker was observed. Pilot dived down on enemy and fired ¾ of a tray into him, whereupon enemy dived towards OSTEND. Pilot fired a full tray at the Fokker at ranges decreasing from 200 yards to 20 feet, at which the hostile machine was observed to roll right over to the left and fall nose first towards the sea. Pilot flattened out his machine to reload and, on looking again, could see no trace of the enemy machine.

Tracer bullets appeared to enter cockpit of Fokker and pilot is of opinion that the machine was absolutely out of control when last seen.

At 6.05 p.m, the same pilot, when off WESTENDE, at 11,000 feet, encountered a second Fokker monoplane at rather lower altitude. Pilot manoeuvred into position behind enemy and dived 3,000 feet on to him, firing 1½ trays at ranges decreasing from 200 to 30 yards. The enemy dived steeply towards OSTEND and was afterwards lost sight of.

At 6.45 p.m. the same pilot again, when 3 miles off MIDDELKERKE, observed an Aviatik coming towards DUNKERQUE at a much lower altitude. Pilot followed him as far as NIEUPORT. Aviatik then turned and pilot dived 6,000 feet and attacked, firing 2 trays at close range. The enemy promptly dived towards MARIAKERKE.

Both these machines were observed to be hit, but the pilot does not think that either were [sic] badly damaged.

5.53 p.m. – Two hostile aeroplanes were observed near WESTENDE. Pilot fired a tray whilst diving from 12,500 to 7,000 feet. Both hostile machines dived towards the shore and kept close under protection of the shore batteries. Pilot, therefore, returned from patrol.

Two other hostile machines were observed patrolling the coast between MIDDELKERKE and OSTEND at very low altitudes.

The WESTENDE A.A. Battery 95.74 showed a certain amount of activity during the afternoon, but as a whole the A.A. guns were not very active, nor was the firing very accurate.

One Fighter Patrol had the misfortune to fall into the sea, but both pilot and observer were picked up.

Hostile aircraft:

Flt Lieut T F N Gerrard, 1N Sqn, Fokker E out of control south of Ostende at 14:05/15:05

Casualties:

Lieut Robert Gordon Gould (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut W C Chapman (Ok), 2 Sqn, BE2d 6231 - pilot wounded in combat with HA on artillery registration

Lieut Eric Craven Jowett (Kia) & Corpl R Johnson (Kia), 4 Sqn, BE2d 5765 - shot down in spiral nosedive and crashed near Miraumont during photography; Ltn Max Mulzer, Kek B, 8th victory [Miraumont, no time]

Capt William Assheston Summers (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut Roger Michael Chaworth Musters (Ok), 22 Sqn, FE2b 6375 - engaged 3 HA landed Frement behind 1st line trenches and shelled on patrol

Capt Dawyck Moberly Veitch (Kia) & Capt John Leo Whitty MC (Kia), 70 Sqn, Strutter A384 - direct hit by A.A. shell and descended out of control in flames east of Arras on reconnaissance

Capt Guy Lindsay Cruikshank (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut Andrew John Tuke Cruickshank Cruickshank (Wia; dow), 70 Sqn, Strutter 5719 - landed at St Omer 05:45/06:45 on reconnaissance with observer seriously wounded


Graeme