Author Archives: The Bay Museum

25 B

Reconnaissance No. 779                                                                  22nd November 1914.

Aeroplane: R.E. 5 No. 659.                                                                  

Squadron No.  2.                                                                                                      

Pilot.  Lt. Broder.

Observer. Capt Lumsden.                                                  Ref Map: France 1/250,000

Hour commenced: 10-35 a.m.

Hour concluded:    1-5 p.m.

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Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

11-20 a.m.     HERLIES.                              Small bivouacs round village.

                        FOURNES.                                                  “

                        HAUBOURDIN.                    New position being dug between

RADINGHEM & HAUBOURDIN, about 1 ½ miles in length & facing South.

                        SAINGHIN.                            Small bivouac.

                        GONDECOURT.                              “

                                                                        Columns of motor transport wagons

                                                proceeding N about ¾ mile in length on

road GONDECOURT – WAVRAN, head ½ mile S of WAVRIN.

                        CAMPHIN.                            Bivouac.

11-40 a.m.     SECLIN.                                8 motor cars proceeding at intervals N

                                                                        along CARVIN – SECLIN ROAD.

                        OIGNIES.                               Small bivouac.

                        EVIN                                       Train on DOUAI – LILLE Railway

proceeding N. 30 trucks.  Train on above railway proceeding to DOUAI, 15 trucks followed by 15 white covered carriages.

                        TAUMONT.                            Transport column proceeding N about 1½

miles in length along RACHES – LILLE Road, head at FAUMONT.

12-15 p.m.     DOUAI.                                  About 400 railway trucks and wagons in

                                                                        station, but only one engine.

                        HENIN LIETARD.                 Bivouac S.E. of town & another on LENS

Road 200 yards E of BILLY.  About 60 vehicles in each.

12.20                                                              German line reconnoitred for Gun pit                 to                                                                     positions already located and reported.

12-50. p.m.                                                    Columns of smoke seen coming from town

                                                                        of YPRES.                

(Sd) H.T. Lumsden. Capt.

                                                                                    Observer.

25 A

Reconnaissance No. 778                                                                  22nd November 1914.

Aeroplane No. B.E. 242.                                                                       

Squadron No.  4.                                                                                                      

Pilot:  Lt. Morgan.

Observer:                                                                   Reference Map:  1/250,000.

Hour commenced: 10-30 a.m.

Hour concluded:    1-50 p.m.

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Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

12-25 p.m.     OOSTNIEUWKERKE.         About 40 M.T. vehicles parked NW. of

 village.

12-30 p.m.     ROULERS.                           Rolling stock for 9 trains, no movement of

                                                                        trains and no Transport Parks seen.

12-50 p.m.     RITTHEM                               (a).  Rolling stock for three trains, engine

and 3 carriages moving W towards LICHTERVELDE.

(b). About 40 M.T. vehicles facing South, (i.e., on W of road), half way on road between RITTHEM and MEULEBEKE.

12-55 p.m.     THIELT                                  Rolling stock 3 trains.

  1. p.m.          ISEGHEM.                            6 store tents on canal bank, rolling stock

about 3 trains.  About 2 trains at junction just South of INGELMUNSTER.

1-5 p.m.          LENDELEDE.                       Rolling stock about two (2) trains on line

                                                                        immediately East of LENDELEDE.

About 12(twelve) horse transport carts or limbers moving South from ISEGHEM to LENDELEDE, about 1 mile S of ISEGHEM.

1-15 p.m.       COURTRAI                           Rolling stock (in station and on line) for

about 23 (twenty three) trains, one engine going N towards HEULE.

1-20 p.m.       WEVELGHEM.                     Rolling stock 4(four) trains.

1.20 p.m.        MENIN.                                  Rolling stock about 5 (five) trains.

1-24 p.m.       WERVICQ.                            Rolling stock about 2 (two) trains.

1-26 p.m.       COMINES.                            Rolling stock about 4 (four) trains, one

engine and 3 or 4 carriages going E.  Two (2) miles S of COMINES on road to QUESNOY-SUR-DEULE.  Park about 50 (fifty) M.T., four going S.

sausage observation balloon just W of COMINES.                  

(Sd) T.W.M. Morgan, Lieut.

                                                            Observer.

24A

H.Q. R.F.C.

            G/124/31

ORDERS FOR RECONNAISSANCE, 22-11-14.

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.                  As ordered separately.

                                                (a). ST OMER – BOULERS – THIELT – COURTRAI.

                                                (b). ST OMER – LICHTERVELDE – THOUSANT –

                                                            BRUGES – OSTEND

No. 4 Sqdn. Det                   Maurice Farmans.  Same as for to-day.

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 I and III Corps.

W. Salmond

Major G.S.

H.Q. R.F.C.

 7-45 p.m.

21-11-14

            NOTE:-

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

COURTRAI, WERVICQ, COMINES, MENIN, LILLE, TOURCOING, MOUSCRON, POULERS, LICHTERVELDE, THOUROUT, OSTEND, LENS.

27A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Royal Flying Corps                   II Corps.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q. 22/2                                           22

Send in daily report of work done also copies of tactical reconnaissances.

From: R.F.C.  H.Q.

Place:

Time:  

(Sd) W. Salmond, Maj. G.S.

Signature of Addressee

28A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Second Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q./22/1                                           22

R.F.C. H.Q. reconnaissance report eight guns located by hedge N.E. corner of square 3 and N.W. corner of square 4 reference square X YPRES map 1/40000.

From: R.F.C. H.Q.

Place:

Time:  

(Sd) W. Salmond, Major. G.S.

Signature of Addressee

28B

No of Message 524

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO       R.F.C. G.H.Q.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

I.G. 259                                              22                                                        G.Q. 22/1

Please quote reference letter of large square in which guns have been located.

From: II Corps

Place:

Time:  9-30 p.m.

Signature of Addressee

From II Corps

Time 9-30 p.m.

28C

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO       SECOND CORPS.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q. /22/5                                          22                                                        I.G. 259

Reference letter X AAA

From: R.F.C. H.Q.

Place:

Time:  11-10 p.m.

(Sd) W. Salmond, Maj. G.S.

Signature of Addressee

26A

No of Message 181

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

Recd at 12-15 p.m.

                        Sent 11-30 a.m.

TO H.Q.  R.F.C.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

5/22                                                    22

Strange and Small have brought down with fire an AVIATIK which I am bringing in, both German pilot and observer prisoners at LOCRE with 5th. Div.

Most strongly commend their work.

From: 5 Sqdn. R.F.C.

Place:

Time:  11-50 p.m.

Signature of Addressee

WAR DIARY

or

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Hour,DatePlaceSummary of Events and InformationRemarks and references to Appendices
1. 2.   3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.   10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.   19.     20. 21.   22. 23. 24. 25. 26.20/11 “   “
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21/11
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ST. OMER -Do-   -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do-   -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do-   -Do-     -Do- -Do-   -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do- -Do-Reconnaissance Reports received & communicated to G.H.Q. Telegram to IInd Corps re No. 6 Squadron not being required to carry out Strategical Reconnaissance. Message from G.H.Q. re Hostile Aeroplanes – & action. Message from IVth Corps asking for Wireless Machine & action Message from No. 4 Squadron. Telegram to No. 4 Squadron re return to ST. OMER. Message from IVth Corps re observers. Message from No. 4 Squadron re return to ST. OMER. Message from R.F.C. 1st Corps (No. 4 Squadron O.C.) re Wireless Machine: and copy to O.C. Wireless Unit. Work done by No. 5 Squadron – and Map Tracing. Information re Russian Forces. Summary of Information. Orders for Reconnaissance. Summary to Squadrons. Reconnaissance Reports received & communicated to G.H.Q. Orders for Reconnaissance to No. 3 Squadron. Action by No. 3 Squadron. Message from G.H.Q. re German machine captured. Telegram to Indian Corps. Letter from Army Council to Field Marshal re Organisation of R.F.C. and G.O.C. R.F.C.’s reply.   Information from the French. Message from G.H.Q. 1 (a) re German machine captured by Indian Corps. Work done by No. 5 Squadron. Summary of Information. Orders for Reconnaissance. Reconnaissance Reports received & communicated to G.H.Q. Report from No. 5 Squadron re machine brought down by Lieut. Small (observer) and Lieut Strange (Pilot). (Note:  This is the first German machine known to have been brought down by fire from another machine.  Neither passenger or observer were injured on either side.  The German pilot evidently got flurried and tried to land, but was outmanoeuvred by Lt. Strange., (who was flying an AVRO.  The Officers & Observers of both this machine and the one captured by the Indian Corps were examined and replied as in 26B & 26C.)1A – K. Reconn 758-767   2A 3A – 3D. 4A. – 4C. 5A. 6A. 7A. 8A.   9A. & 9B. 10A. & 10B. 11A. 12A. 13A. 14A. 15A. – K. Reconn 768 – 777 16A. 17A. 18A. 18B. 19A.) Extracted to General Ring 19B.) File of R.F.C. – 3/12/14 20A. & 20B. (18A)   22A. 23A. 24A. 25A. C. R778780 26A             26B & 26C.

15 K

Reconnaissance No. 777                                                                   21st November 1914.

Aeroplane: No. B.E. 2 231.                                                                  

Squadron No.  2.                                                                                                      

Pilot:  Lieut. De Haviland.

Observer: Flt. Serj: Kemper.                                                                      Ref Map: 

Hour commenced: 2.25 p.m.

Hour concluded:    4. 0 p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

3.5 p.m.          LA BASSEE              About 30 railway wagons in station.  The whole

line from LA BASSEE to LILLE – all branch lines from this line clear of railway stock.

3.52 p.m.        HAUBOURDIN         One train under steam on line S of LILLE.

All lines running S of LILLE appeared clear of stock.

(Sd) : J. Kemper, Flt Serj:

            (Observer)

15 J

Reconnaissance No. 776                                                       21st November. 1914.

Aeroplane: No. B.E. 487.                                                                      

Squadron No  4.                                                                                                       

Pilot:  Major Raleigh.

Observer:                                                                                           Ref Map:  1/200,000

Hour commenced: 1-50 p.m.

Hour concluded:    4-30 p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

2.55 p.m.        WARNETON.                        About 50 vehicles in different parts of the

                                                                        town.

                        COMINES                             2 Sausage shaped balloons.  About 20

waggons.  40 vehicles Horse Transport moving on towards WERVICQ.   

3.15 a.m.        MENIN.                                  Rolling Stock for about 5 trains.  About 30

                                                                        vehicles in town.  20 large store tents S.E.

3.25                COURTRAI.                          Rolling stock for 25 trains – no activity.  1

Engine moving from ROULERS to ISEGHEM.

3.40                THIELT.                                  Rolling stock for two trains.  1 train leaving

GRAMMENE towards THIELT.  1 train coming on THIELT line from LICHTEVELDE.

                        ROULERS.                           1 engine with steam up.  Rolling stock for

                                                                        10 trains.                   

(Sd) : C.H. Raleigh.  Major.

            (Observer)

15 H

Reconnaissance No. 775                                                                  21st November. 1914.

Aeroplane: No. M.A. 637.                                                                     

Squadron No  5.                                                                                                       

Pilot:  Lieut. Brock.

Observer: Lieut. F.G. Small                                                           Ref Map:  1/40,000

Hour commenced: 1.0 p.m.

Hour concluded:    2.15 p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

1-30. a.m.      ARMENTIERES –                 Reconnaissance over area ARMENTIERES

                        LILLE.                                     – RADINGHEM – LANBESART –

VERLINGHEM – FRELINGHEM.  There was no movement of any troops or transport on roads in this area.

1-35. p.m.      FORT ENGLOS.                  In rear of batteries R.3.c.1 & R.4.c. reported

yesterday – wheel marks show behind gun pits & pits are empty.  Wheel marks seem to indicate movement towards CAPINGHEM.

1-45. p.m.      LOMME.                                 Cavalry bivouac about 1 brigade.            

(Sd) : F.G. Small. Lieut.

                        R.F.C.

            (Observer).

15 G

Reconnaissance No. 774                                                       21st. November. 1914.

Aeroplane: No. B.E. 8 636.                                                                  

Squadron No.  6.                                                                                                      

Pilot:  Lieut. Tennant.

Observer: Lieut. Marks.                                           Reference Map:  G.S.2743. YPRES.

Hour commenced: 12-15. p.m.

Hour concluded:    1-45. p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

12-45. p.m.    OOSTAVERNE Q19D                     A line of transport about 20 wagons,

                                                                                    could not see if horse or M.T.

12-55. p.m.    HOLLBEKE. R6c                              Transport park in N.W. corner of

square R.6.c. could not count number of wagons.

1-10. p.m.      HOLLBEKE. R17a.                          Transport in N.W. corner of Square

                                                                                    R.17.a. about 30 wagons.

1-30. p.m.      COMINES. Y5a.                               Small sausage shaped observation

                                                                                    balloon.                                 

(Sd) : C.H. Marks. Lieut.

            (Observer).