Reconnaissance No: 781A                                                               24^th November 1914.

Aeroplane: RE. 5 – 380.                                                                       

Squadron No.  2.                                                                                                      

Pilot:  Lieut. Broder;

Observer: Capt Lumsden;                                                        Ref Map:  France 1/80,000

Hour commenced: 8-30 a.m.

Hour concluded:    10-20 a.m.

================================================================

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

—————————————————————————————————————-

9-0 a.m.          CAPINGHEM.                       All open spaces in vicinity taken up with

                                                                        bivouacs.  Considerable activity along roads

                                                                        in neighbourhood.

                                                                        Three short lines of earthworks being

                                                                        constructed between CAPINGHEM &

                                                                        PERENCHIES, facing N.W. & W.

                        ENGLOS.                              Disconnected line of earthworks between

                                                                        ENNELLERES and HALLENNES, facing W.

                                                                        & S.W. – digging proceeding.  Activity.

                        SANTE.                                  New semi-circular defence works facing S.

                                                                        and W. 500 yards S.W. of SANTE.

                                                                        Short line of what appears to be gun

                                                                        emplacements 200 yards S.W. of SANTE.

9-50                BOIS DE BIEZ.                     3 lines of gun pits occupied N.E. of wood.

1 – 4 guns – 200 yards N.E. of N.E. corner

of Woods.

1 – 6 guns – 300 W. of village AUBERS.

1 – approx. 8 parked and close to road just

N of NEUVECHAPELLE.

ARMENTIERES.                  Trenches S.E. of CHAPELLE

                                                d’ARMENTIERES being accurately shelled.  

                                                Snow yellow.

(Signed): H.T. Lumsden, Capt.

            Observer.                  

Reconnaissance No 781                                                       24^th November 1914.

Aeroplane B.E.  635.                                                                             

Squadron No  4                                                                                                        

Pilot  Lieut. Roche

Observer        –                                                           Reference Map:  1/100,000

Hour commenced: 1-50 p.m.

   “     concluded:    4-30 p.m.

================================================================

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

—————————————————————————————————————-

2-30 p.m.       PERVYSE                 No fighting seen on the line PERVYSE –

                                                            NIEUPORT.  The line PERVYSE –

                                                            DIXMUDE under cloud.

2-50 p.m.       NIEUPORT.                          No activity in town

3-0 p.m.          MIDDELKERKE       (a) About 20 M.T. vehicles in streets.

(b) Nothing seen in area NIEUPORT –

WESTENDE – OSTEND – SNAESKERKE.

3-7 p.m.          OSTEND                   (a) Rolling stock for about 14 trains in railway

                                                            station.  2 engines with steam up.  1 train arriving

                                                            from THOUROUT.  Sidings S.E. of town full of

rolling stock where there was one engine with steam up.

Town appeared quiet.

(b) No sign of activity in inner or outer harbour

between piers.

3-25 p.m.       BRUGES                   (a) Not many people in streets of town.

(b) About 170 transport vehicles in town, About

130 of these M.T. lorries.

(c) Rolling stock for about 8 trains in railway

station.  Smoke from railway works W. of Fort

Lanin and rolling stock for 3 trains on the siding

near these works.  1 train arriving from S.E. or

S.W. (this train was seen from some distance).

GHISTELLES clouds.

3-35 p.m.       COUCKELAERE     (a) 40 M.T. in streets of town.

(b) Column of M.T. halted on N. side of the

THOUROUT – BEERST road, one end at 5 the

other at 7 kilo. Stone.

3-40 p.m.       ZAREN                      18 store tents.

3-42p.m.         STADEN                    (a) Rolling stock for 1 train.  1 engine with steam

                                                            up.

(b) 14 store tents and six small tents E. of town.

STADENBERG        40 transport vehicles parked.

3-45 p.m.       FORET D’HOUTHULST.    Clouds.

On return journey from BRUGES only places mentioned above were visible.                    

(Sd) H. Roche, Lieut.

                                                            Observer.

H.Q. R.F.C.,

G/124/33.

ORDERS FOR RECONNAISSANCE, 24-11-14.

===================

No. 2 Squadron.                  (a) Tactical work with IV Corps.

(b) LILLE – SECLIN – DOUAI – LENS, back.

No. 3 Squadron.                  (a) Tactical work with Indian Corps.

(b) AMENTIERES – MENIN – COURTRAI –

TOURCOING – LILLE – ARMENTIERES, back.

No. 4 Squadron.                  (a) ST. OMER – ROULERS – THIELT – COURTRAI.

(b) ST. OMER – LICHTERVELDE – THOUROUT – BRUGES – OSTEND.

No. 4 Sqdn. Det.                   (a) 2 machines with Wireless Detachment, BAILLEUL.

(b) Remainder as for to-day.

No. 5 Squadron.                  Tactical work with III Corps.

No. 5 Sqdn. Det.                   Nil

at ST. OMER.

No. 6 Squadron.                  Tactical work with II Corps.

H.Q. Wireless unit.              Work with II and III Corps.

H.Q. R.F.C.

7-30 p.m.

23-11-14.

W. Salmond

Major, G.S.

Notes:

• When reconnaissances ordered have not been carried out during the day, a report is to be sent in to R.F.C. H.Q. by 7 p.m. stating the cause of failure.
• Special attention to be paid to rolling stock at all stations, especially at the following places: – COURTRAI, WERVICQ, COMINES, MENIN, LILLE, TOURCOING, MOUSCRON, ROULERS, LICHTERVELDE, THOUROUT, OSTEND, LENS.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 70

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 5554

                                                                                    U.K. Postmark Little Lever 23 No 44.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON 1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street  Breightmet

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE          Bolton

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

1-7-44

Sweetheart.  Here I am again, to say hello to you, and I hope this letter finds you in the best of health, and I hope that your mother is the same.  I am keeping fit and well, as a matter of fact I think I am put in a bit of weight on.  My shoulders are a bit sore with sun bathing, and I am peeling a little.  Oh before I forget if you go to Prestwich, will you call at 10, Mountfield, to see a Mrs. Machin, and tell her, that her brother Edward Hill who I have met over here, is as fit as a fiddle.  He has told me that she does not believe him when he writes to her.  Well Darling how are things at home.  Is everyone keeping well.  Give my regards to all.  How are Bernard, Gladys, Harold and my Dad keeping, give them my regards and address.  Well Sweetheart, look after yourself won’t you, until I come home again, which I hope will not be long, so keep your chin up and do not worry about me.  We are being treated very well..  this is all for now Darling so cheerio my sweet and God bless you.  I love you.  Give my love to your mother.  Yours forever and ever.

            Ernest  xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 3094

                                                                                    U.K. Postmark Little Lever 23 No 44.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON 1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street Breightmet

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE          Bolton

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

21-8-44

Sweetheart.  Here I am again with another letter, and I am glad to say that I am still keeping in the best of health, and I hope that you are the same, and that your mother and my dad and the rest of them are keeping alright too.  Give them all my regards.  I have not met Jim Booth yet, (you know I mean don’t you? His mother lives opposite my dad) but I have met a few chaps who were with him at another camp and he is going on alright.  We have formed a Lancashire club here, there are quite a number of Lancashire lads on the camp, and we have issued a challenge to the Yorkshiremen to play them at cricket.  So it will be the Battle of the Roses over again.  This is about all for all for now my Darling, so I will say cheerio and God bless you and keep you safe.  Give my love to your mother, and my regards to all.  All my love to you Sweetheart, Yours ever

            Ernest

xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

            Programme of Work done by No. 6 Squadron with 11nd Corps.

———————————————–

19-11-14:       No work possible owing to severe snowstorm.

20-11-14:       B.E. 493 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        Other machine started, but forced to return owing to carburettor

                        trouble.

21-11-14:       B.E. 493 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        Other machines started for Artillery observation and tactical

                        reconnaissance, but returned owing to carburettor trouble

Wireless Flight arrived.

22-11-14:       B.E. 241 & B.E. 468 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        B.E. 493 & B.E. 646 – Artillery observation with 3^rd Division.

                        B.E. 636 – Tactical Reconnaissance

                                                            (Report attached).

23-11-14                                                                                (Sd): J.H.W. Becke, Maj.

Cdg. NO. 6 Sqdn. R.F.C.

——————————————-

35A

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENEMY 23/11/14.

————————————-

(Enclosed with original).

G.H.Q. 1.,                                                                                      (Sd) G.M.W. Macdonogh,

23/11/14                                                                                            Brigadier General,

General staff.

O.C.  No 5 Squadron.

            From 2/Lt. Powell.

            With reference to target F.F.Q.C. centre to be engaged by 4^th Siege Battery.  I had no difficulty in picking up the target and having done so fired a green light.  An L was placed behind the battery which seemed to point more towards WARNETON than DEULEMONT.

No shells were seen falling near the target.

After an interval of about 5 minutes another green light was fired but with no result.  The flashes of other shells could be clearly seen.  35 minutes after firing the first light we returned home.

(Sd) E.W. Powell, 2/Lt.

22/11/14

29B

O.C.

5 Sqdn. R.F.C.

From Lieut. A.E. Borton R.F.C.

22/11/14

Reference failure to range heavy battery at A in FLEURBAIS on required target this morning.  I was in position over the battery at about 8-15 a.m. and after inspecting the targets returned to battery when my observer fired one green light.  I was unable to see any signals from the Battery.  However I remained in observation for about 40 minutes, and as saw no firing from battery returned.  I went out to battery on a motor cycle, and the O.C. explained that our signal light was not seen owing to haze.  Also I was flying rather high as target was difficult to discern owing to haze.

Work with same battery this afternoon resulted in hit on each target in under 1 hour.

(Sd) A.E. Borton, Lt.

Observer.  

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

Stamp. Postmark Little Lever Bolton Lancs. 22 NO 44. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 5894

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON Breightmet

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street  Bolton

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Ernest Wilkinson Sgt.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 27.8.44

Sweetheart.  Here I am again with another card.  But there is very little to write about, except to say that I am keeping well and I hope that you are keeping the same, and you are looking after yourself, and keeping your chin up.  How is old Ben going on is he still living?  Give him a big pat for me.  Also how is your mother?  I hope that she is keeping in the pink.  Give her my love.  Also give my best wishes to Harold, and all at Prestwich and my best wished to all at home.  Well Darling this is all for now.  I hope these two cards reach you together.  I will say cheerio and God bless you my Darling.  My love to you.  Yours always  Ernest xxxxxx

Sent on two cards.

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENEMY 22/11/14.

———————————————–

(Enclosed with original)

G.H.Q. 1.,                                                                                      (Sd) G.M.W. Macdonogh,

Brigadier General,

22/11/14.                                                                                                             General Staff.

———————————–

31A

H.Q. R.F.C.

G 124/32

ORDERS FOR RECONNAISSANCE, 23/11/14

========================

No. 2 Squadron.                  (a). Tactical work with IV Corps.

(b). LILLE – SECLIN – DOUAI – LENS, back.

No. 3 Squadron.                  (a). Tactical work with Indian Corps.

(b). ARMENTIERES – MENIN – COURTRAI –

TOURCOING – LILLE – ARMENTIERES, back.

No. 4 Squadron.                  (a). ST. OMER – ROULERS – THIELT – COURTRAI.

(b). ST OMER – LICHTERVELDE – THOUROUT – BRUGES – OSTEND.

No. 4 Sqdn. Det                    Maurice Farmans.  Same as for today.

at ST. OMER

No. 5 Squadron.                  Tactical work with III Corps.

No. 5 Sqdn. Det.                   Nil.

at ST. OMER.

No. 6 Squadron.                  Tactical work with II Corps.

H.Q. Wireless Unit.              Work with II and III Corps.

H.Q. R.F.C.

7-45

22/11/14                                 (Sd) W. Salmond, Major, G.S.

Note:-

            Special attention to be paid to rolling stock at all stations, especially at the following places:-

            COURTRAI, WERVICQ, COMINES, MENIN, LILLE, Tourcoing, MOUSCRON, ROULERS, LICHTERVELDE, THOUROUT, OSTEND, LENS.

26B

Summary of examination by Lieut. Blennerhasset, of 2^nd Lieuts Frobenius and Rahn, 18^th Flieger Abteilung, attached VII Corps, taken prisoners on 21/11/14, in the Indian Corps Lines near NEUVE CHAPELLE.

1. Machine. – Luft Verkehr doppeldecker (biplane).
2. Cause of descent.  – Cooling apparatus burst owing to intense cold.
3. Pilot’s opinion of the machine.  Easier landing than with a Taube, a “new” type.  Both pilot and observer were emphatic in preferring it to a Taube, which rises too slowly and is difficult to force up to any great height.
4. Position of observer – in front of the pilot, as in most machines, certainly all new ones.
5. Special duties of the pilot – Map reading, assisting in fighting if necessary, bomb-dropping and observing as much as possible.
6. Special duties of the observer – Signalling (by smoke balls), photography, fighting (when necessary).  The observer controls, as far as fuel supply allows, the duration and manoeuvres of the flight.
7. Armament – The pilot carried a revolver, the observer a carbine.  No knowledge of machine guns mounted on aeroplanes.
8. Fuel – Benzine only, specially heated (refined for use of aeroplanes only).  The pilot a low-class man, gave away the fact that he had been instructed to economize, but the observer was very keen on pointing out that there was plenty.  The pilot stated he could carry a 6 hours supply in his tank.  No method of carrying an extra supply.

Orders.  When opposing forces are on the move, the report is of the first importance, and fighting is to be avoided.

When the opposing forces are stationary the report is still of the first importance, but bomb dropping and the attack of hostile aircraft may also be undertaken

As a result of the unexpectedly fine performances of British aeroplanes, instructions have been given that a British Aeroplane is to be attacked whenever encountered.

Any machine forced to descend in enemy’s lines to be destroyed.

Observation.  The difference between guns and howitzers was easily recognized by the position occupied.  Difference in size was hard to recognize.  Great contempt for “dummy” guns which were always badly sited.

Signalling the positions of troops, guns etc. was done by smoke balls, but no details could be extracted.

British Anti-aircraft guns were North East of BETHUNE.

British aeroplanes easily distinguished as they always showed fight at once.

Equipment.  Photographic apparatus, when carried, usually GOETZ ANSCHUTZ.

Germans had considered steel arrows, but had decided not to use them, on the ground that they were not effective enough to justify the extra weight.

Distinctive badges on uniform.  Flying badge on shoulder strap – wings and a propeller.

Pilot’s badge – Landscape with Taube, framed by laurels.

Silver for parade dress, brass for Field Service uniform.

Observer’s badge – red, white and black squares framed with laurels.

General.  Both expressed contempt for bomb-throwing as being of little use, except in very special circumstances where the objective was definite and large.

Orders are issued to a Flierger Abteilung, consisting generally of 6 machines, by Corps Staff direct.

They had seen no captured, undamaged English machines.

(Sd) G.M.W. Macdonogh, Brig. Genl.

I.

5-45 p.m.

22/11/14.