Reconnaissance No 780 22nd November 1914.
Aeroplane: No 487 B.E.2
Squadron 4
Pilot – Capt. G.S. Shepherd.
Observer – Reference Map: 1/100000
Hour commenced 11-15 a.m.
Hour concluded 2-0 p.m.
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Time Place OBSERVATION
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BULTHOEK (W. of (a). About 30 ammunition wagons and a
FOREST D’HOULTHURST number of horses tethered.
(b). Transport S.W. of Forest reduced since
the 18th November, there are now about 30
wagons in this area.
N. of the FOREST. (a). Transport parks between NACHTE –
GAAL and D’HOUTHULST on 18th November estimated number of wagons in this area 200.
(b). A number of wagons on N.W. corner of
FOREST suggested that troops are
bivouaced in the forest.
PIERKENSHOEK. (a). Park of 20 ammunition wagons.
VYFWEGEN (S.W. of (a). 20 ammunition wagons.
STADEN)
12-30 p.m. STADEN. (a). Rolling stock for 5 trains, 2 with steam,
wagons round station loading or unloading.
(b). 12 store tents.
(c). 70 wagons parked round town.
CORTEMARCK. Rolling stock for 5 trains – no signs of
activity here.
LICHTERVELDE. (a). Rolling stock for 8 trains (14 trucks each
on average) 1 with steam, carts round
station.
(b). 60 motor lorries parked E of station. A
few motor busses in the town, 40 wagons
parked E. of town.
THOUROUT. (a). Rolling stock for 6 trains – 1 train steam
up heading Southern & Western most
platform in station. About 200 horses on
platform opposite train.
(b). 12 store tents.
(c). 50 wagons parked N. of town. 30 motor
transport halted outside THOUROUT on W.
side of COURTEMARCK road.
Railway lines. (a). ROULERS – THOUROUT line clear.
(b). THOUROUT – OSTEND line clear with
exception of one engine and one truck
going to OSTEND.
(c). THOUROUT – BRUGES line clear.
AERTRYCKE. About 200 horses tethered in fields E. of
AERTRYCKE.
WYNENDAALE. One squadron of Cavalry with transport
moving towards THOUROUT.
12.55 p.m. BRUGES. (a). Rolling stock for 17 trains (one under
steam) on sidings S of town.
(b). Rolling stock for 13 trains on and South
of Station: no signs of any loading at
station; no carts about, but there were about
100 men formed opposite a train which was
on E side of station.
(c). About 10 wagons in market square
(d). Rolling stock for 4 trains about 2 miles
N of BRUGES.
Line BRUGES – Clear with exception of one train (30 trucks)
OSTEND going from OSTEND to BRUGES and
another train (3 engines 20 trucks) entering
OSTEND.
1.10 p.m. OSTEND. (a). Rolling stock for 14 trains on siding S of
town.
(b). Rolling stock for 12 trains in station and
S of it. No signs of any loading at station.
Some trucks were being shunted from
BRUGES line to THOUROUT line.
HARBOUR. Boom down between piers, 2 small tugs
and a paddle steamer moored in outer
harbour. Small pinnace proceeding along
canal to BRUGES.
GHISTELLES. 17 large wooden sheds N of town, 9 of
these are in position and 8 are in process of
erection. A few motor lorries near the
sheds, one train on line opposite sheds.
These sheds appear to be intended for
aeroplanes.
EERNEGHEM. (a). 10 trucks on sidings.
(b). 20 Motor lorries going N on
THOUROUT – OSTEND road.
COUCKELAERE. 40 wagons parked N.W. of village.
(Sd) G.S. Shepherd. Capt.
Observer.
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 