ETAT-MAJOR GENERAL              le 20 Novembre 1914

2^o Bureau

No. 4598

10-10 p.m.

NOTE

AU SUJET DE L’OBSERVATION DES VOIES

FERREES PAR LES AVIONS

………………………………………………….

            Dans certaines Armees, les renseignements de l’aviation concernant les mouvements sur voie ferrée ne sont pas établis avec une précision suffisante.

            On rappelle que pour qu’un compte-rendu d’observation de voie ferrée soit complet, il faut :

            1^o. Que la voie soit survolée sur un parcours aussi long que possible.

            2^o Que le nombre de trains circulant dans les deux sens soit indique sur ce parcours.

            3^o. Que soit autant que possible détermine le sens du courant plein par l’observation des trucs charges.

Copie transmise à titre de renseignement à M. le Chef d’Etat General de l’Armée Britannique.

                                                St Omer, le 21 Novembre 1914.

                                                Le Colonel, Chef de Mission,

P.O. Le Chef d’Etat Major,

Lieut. Col. Rebois.

O.B./B06827.

O (a).

Reconnaissance No763                                                         20^th November 1914.

Aeroplane B.E. No 242.                                                             Ref. Map N.W. EUROPE

Squadron No 4.                                                                                      Sheet 1/250000

Pilot – Capt. Soames.

Observer –

Hour commenced 12-5 p.m.

Hour concluded    3-0 p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

1-30 a.m.       STADEN.                               Rolling stock for about 3 trains in station.

No movements of troops.

1-40 p.m.       CORTEMARCK.                  Rolling stock for about 7 trains.

1-50 p.m.       THOUROUT                          Rolling stock for about 10 trains.  Convoy of

7 lorries at point 33, two miles N.E. of THOUROUT.

2-10 p.m.       BRUGES.                              Streets quiet.  No barges on canals; no

movements in the station, but all yards full of rolling stock.

1 train running from OSTEND to BRUGES.  1 aeroplane tent ½ mile out of BRUGES to the East of the BRUGES – THOUROUT road.

Road STADEN – COURTEMARCK –THOUROUT – BRUGES clear, and no movements seen on any branch roads.

                                                                        Height 5500’

Observation – Good.

(Sd) A.H. Soames, Capt.,

Observer.

Reconnaissance No. 767                                                                   20^th November 1914.

Aeroplane: B.E. No. 385.                                                          

Squadron No.  2.                                                                                                      

Pilot:  Lieut. P.R.L. Corballis;                                                                     Country S.W. of

Observer: Sgt. Mjr. Jillings                                     Reference Map:       ARMENTIERES

                                                                                                                        1/40,000

Hour commenced: 2-5 p.m.

Hour concluded:    3-5 p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

.           Railway ARMENTIERS –   ) Clear of trains.

WAVRIN – DON.      )

                        Railway LA FONTAINE –    ) Clear of trains.

                        FORUNES – FROMELLES)

                        FROMELLES to        ) this road appears to have been much used and

                                    HERLIS.        )  snow trodden in.

PONT DE PIERRE –) Snow not trodden in.

                        RADINGHEM           )

                        FOURNES – ENGloS          Snow trodden in along this road, but not as

                                                                        much as on FROMELLES – HERLIS road.

                        BEAUCHAMPS –    )           Snow not trodden in.

                        RADINGHEM           )

FROMELLES – RADINGHEM) No H.Q. visible at these chateaux.

HERLES FOURES.                  )  There appeared to have been no

                                                            movement since snow fallen.

NEUVE CHAPELLE LORGIES     ) No action visible in this area.

HERLIES FROMELLES                 ) Early return necessary owing to

RUE DAVID CIXBLANCHE           ) engine trouble.

Trench running N.E. and S.W. ¼ mile S. of C in CHIPIGNY to ¼ mile N. of N in NEUVE CHAPELLE had been shelled since fall of snow.  Shell-bursts appeared very accurate, but trenches appeared unoccupied.

(Signed): S.M. Jillings,

(Observer).

Reconnaissance No. 766                                                                   20^th November 1914.

Aeroplane: H.F. No. 1813.                                                                    

Squadron No.  3.                                                                                                      

Pilot:  Lieut. Cruickshank;

Observer : 2/Lieut. Loraine                                                Reference Map:  1/40,000

Hour commenced: 2-0 p.m.

Hour concluded:    3-10 p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

2-0 a.m.          Area: LA QUINQUE RUE,  ) New Battery Emplacements occupied 200

LORGIES, BOIS      ) yards North by North-east of X in RUE DE

DE BIEZ, RICH-       )  CAILLOUX

BOURG – d’AVOUE)

                                                                        In original a sketch.

                                                                        2 Battery Emplacements occupied N.W. of

                                                                        L in LORGIES.

                                                                        These two batteries may have been

reported and numbered, but have not been so accurately placed.

In original a sketch.

                                                                        Nothing new observed in area.

3-10 p.m.       HINGES.                                Landed and reported verbally to C.R.A.

Murat Div.

(Signed):  Robert Loraine, 2/Lt.

Observer.

Reconnaissance No. 765                                                                   20^th November 1914.

Aeroplane: Bleriot No.                                                                           

Squadron No.  3.                                                                                                      

Pilot :  S’gt. Dunn;

Observer : Capt. Evans;                                                     Reference Map:  1/40,000

Hour commenced:

Hour concluded:    .

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

1-30 p.m.       )AUBERS                  (Clear.           

                        )FROMELLES          (No movement on roads in neighbourhood or

   to                  )FOURNES               ( towards LILLE.

2-30 p.m.       )BOIS DE BIEZ        ( Batteries unchanged.

3-0 p.m.          )                                   ( Observed for 110^th Heavy Battery on Battery by

                       )                                   ( distillery – correct.

   to                  )                                   (

)                                   (

4-0 p.m.          )                                   (

(Signed) L.P. Evans, Capt.,

Observer.

Reconnaissance No 762                                                                    20^th November 1914.

Aeroplane No 237 B.E.                                                                          Ref Map 1/100000

Squadron 4.                                                                                            

Pilot – Lieut. B.C. Hucks.

Observer – Capt. Unwin

Hour commenced 11-20 a.m.

   “     concluded    1-5 p.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

12 noon.        ARMENTIERES.                  (a). About 30 barges in canal in and about

                                                                        the town.

                                                                        (b). No rolling stock and no signs of activity

                                                                        observed.

12-3 p.m.       FRELINGHEM.                    (a). At railway station W by S of LE

TOUQUET about 10 open and 10 closed trucks.

(b). In canal at LES ECLUSES about 20 barges.

12-7 p.m.       WARNETON                         (a).  About 60 transport vehicles parked in

 square just N of the river.

(b). Sausage shaped balloon about 4 kilometres N.N.E. of WARNETON.

                        COMMINES.                         (a). Rolling stock for about 8 trains to the N.

                                                                        of the town and for about 3 trains to the S.

(b). About 50 transport vehicles in streets and squares in eastern portion of the town.

                        WERVICQ.                            4 barges.  Rolling stock for about 5 trains.

About 15 motor transport wagons in the square.

12-25 p.m.     MENIN.                                  (a). Rolling stock for about 20 trains.

(b). 10 motor vehicles in one square, and 10 horse vehicles in another.

                        WEVELGHEM.                     Rolling stock for about 12 trains.

                        NEDERBEEK.                      Rolling stock for about 5 trains.

12-35 p.m.     COURTRAI.                          (a). Rolling stock for about 40 trains at the

West sidings, and for about 5 trains at the East sidings.

(b). 1 engine entering from East, but it was not possible to say from which line, 1 other engine with steam up on West.

                        INGELMUNSTER.               (a). Line from INGELMUNSTER to

COURTRAI apparently not used this morning, as snow still covered it.  Rolling stock for about 2 trains at LENDELEDE.

(b). 1 train in INGELMUNSTER engine with steam up facing S.

                        ISEGHEM                              (a). About 50 vehicles halted on East side of

road leading from N of BOSCHMOLENS to ISEGHEM.  Northern end of column just in ISEGHEM.

(b) Rolling stock for about 5 trains.

12-45 p.m.     ROULERS.                           Rolling stock for about 25 trains, somewhat

                                                                        scattered, one engine under steam.

                        LICHTERVELDE.                (a). One train entering station from direction

                                                                        of THIELT.

Rolling stock for about 5 trains.

(b). Line between ROULERS and LICHTERVELDE clear of rolling stock except for a few trucks at the intermediate sidings.

                        CORTEMARCK.                  Rolling stock for about 4 trains.

                        STADEN.                               Rolling stock for about 4 trains.

            Observation of railways easy, but of roadways difficult.

(Sd) E. Unwin, Capt, R.F.C.

Observer.

Reconnaissance No 761                                                                    20^th November 1914.

Aeroplane No 666 B.E.2B.                                                               1/40000

Squadron 2.                                                                                 MERVILLE.  LA BASSEE.

Pilot – Capt. L. Dawes.

Observer – Lieut. Bewes.

Hour commenced 9-40 a.m.

   “     concluded    10-45 a.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

10-0 a.m.       LA BASSEE.                         Communication trench leading to farm ½

mile due North of second E. in LA QUINQUE RUE.

Trench East of second H in CHlle st ROCH.

Trench from X in CHlle-CANTELEUX to second S in LA BASSEE.  This trench appears to be a reinforced bank or hedge bordering the road.

Trenches on N.W. of railway leading N.E. out of LA BASSEE.  These trenches are about ¾ mile long.

Gun pits on East side of farm ¼ mile N. of L in LA BASSEE.  Six pits here.

Six gun pits on West of SALOME and N.W. of LE MARAIS.

Six gun pits at A of LES 3 MAISONS.

Six gun pits ¼ mile N.N.E. of third S in LES 3 MAISONS.

No transport seen on any of the roads and no movements.

(Sd) R.C.H. Bewes, Lieut.,

Observer.

Reconnaissance No 760                                                                    20^th November 1914.

Aeroplane No B.E. 635.                                                                      Ref. Map   1/100000

Squadron 4.                                                                                            

Pilot – Lt. Roche

Observer –

Hour commenced 8-45 a.m.

   “     concluded    10-45 a.m.

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

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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

9-25 a.m.       LANGEMARCK                    Nothing seen

POECCAPPELLE               Nothing seen.

FORET D’HOUTHULST     (a) Many rings around and in clearances of the forest, denoting the exercising of a great number of horses this morning.

                                                (b)  Two rings of horses being exercised at STRUVENDORP.

(c)  Tracks in the snow in clearances of forest not used, especially up to buildings in clearances.

(d)  Many vehicles (number unestimated) in village immediately N. of Forest.  Column of M.T. halted on E. side of road from HOULTHULST-TERREST.

                                                (e)  40 M.T. at HOULTHULST.

(f)  At VYEWEGEN and off the road leading N. from village for about 1 mile about 80 transport vehicles in small parks.

9-35 a.m.       ZARREN.                              (a). About 80 vehicles in parks.

                                                                        (b)  Rolling stock for 1 train.

(c). Rings on which horses were exercised this morning at ZAREN and WERCKEN.

(d). 6 aeroplane hangars W.  of HANDZHEME.

2 Taube monoplanes on ground.

9-37 a.m.       STADEN.                               (a). Rolling stock for 2 trains.

(b). 12 store tents E. of town.

(c). About 8 horse transport vehicles parked about the town.

(d). Rings on which horses were exercised this morning.

9-42 a.m.       CORTEMARCK.                  (a). 9 store tents S.  10 store tents N.  2

                                                                        store tents E. of town.

(b). Rolling stock for 3 trains.

(c). About 50 horse transport N. of town.  Rings on which horses were exercised this morning.

(d). 2 Taube monoplanes previously reported not on ground at HANDZHEME.

(c). Nothing seen at LANGENHOEK.

9-50 a.m.       LICHTERVELDE.                (a). Rolling stock for 5 trains.

(b). About 80 horse vehicles parked.  Rings where horses were exercised this morning.

                                                                        (c). 1 store tent.

9-55 a.m.       THOUROUT.                         (a). Rolling stock for 5 trains in railway

                                                                        station, 1 engine with steam up.

                                                                        Rolling stock for ½ train N. & rolling stock

                                                                        for ½ a train S. of town.

2 trains had been moved from line recently.

1 from E. BRESKENS and 1 from N. of HOOGHE.

(These had been moved since snow ceased to fall).  Railway lines between THOUROUT & OSTEND clear of rolling stock with the exception of (1) ½ a train N. of THOUROUT as previously reported (2) 1 ½ trains E. of REYGER.  (3) ½ a train ICHTEGHEM station (4) ½ a train at FERNEGHEM station.

(b). 14 store tents E. of town.

(c). No transport seen in vicinity of town.

FERNEGHEM.                     40 transport vehicles parked at HET LEESTJE.

10-0 a.m.       GHISTELLES.                      Aeroplane camp as reported on 18^th inst.,

but number of large sheds increased to 10, also amount of chessis and baulks of limber on ground reduced (enough to construct one shed is left).  In addition to that reported on 18^th inst. at this camp, there are 35 M.T. vehicles on East side of main THOROUT-OSTEND road East of GHISTELLES.

10-5 a.m.       OSTEND.                              Rolling stock in the railway station

increased to about 15 trains, 1 engine with steam up.  Rolling stock on sidings S.E. of town untouched.  Inner and outer harbours as reported on 18^th, no movement observed, paddle steamer in harbour, no boom across harbour.

Nothing seen between OSTEND and NIEUPORT nor between NIEUPORT and DIXMUNDE.

(Sd) H. Roche, Lieut.  Observer.

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION RE PRUSSIAN FORCES – 20/11/14.

——————————————————————————————–

(Enclosed with original).

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

20/11/.14.                                                                                                       Brig-General,

General Staff.

———————————————————————–

12A

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENEMY – 20/11/14.

(Enclosed with original).

G.H.Q. I.,                                                                                       (Sd):  G.M.W. Macdonogh,

20/11/.14.                                                                                           Brigadier General,

General Staff.

———————————————————————–

13A

H.Q. R.F.C.

            G/124/30.

ORDERS FOR RECONNAISSANCE, 21/11/14.

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) Tactical Work with I Corps.

                                                (b) DIXMUDE-NIEUPORT-OSTEND-THOUROUT, back.

                                                (c) THOROUT-ROULERS-COURTRAI, back

No. 4 Sqdn. Det.                   (a) THOUROUT-THIELT-BRUGES.

at ST. OMER.                       (b) Maurice Farmans.  Same as for today.

No. 5 Sqdn. Det.

at ST. Omer                           Nil.

No. 5 Squadron.                  Tactical Work with III Corps.

No. 6 Squadron.                  Tactical Work with II Corps.

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

(Sd): W. Salmond,

MAJOR, G.S.

H.Q.  R.F.C.

            7-45 p.m.

                        20/11/14.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO  Royal Flying Corps

                                                            First Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

GQ/20/5                                             20

Your message received AAA

If ordered to return carry out usual strategical Reconnaissance AAA Arrange re Anti-aircraft gun to return here AAA

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

Place:

Time:  

W. Salmond, Major, G.S.

Signature of Addressee

———————————————————————————-

7A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

            DHQ. Sent 4-50 p.m.

TO Aeronautics  G.H.Q.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

HRO 426                               29/11/14

No. 2 Squadron another observer urgently required Capt. Lumsden for preference French Bombs carriers petrol and oil required tomorrow.

From: Aeronautics

Place:                         4^th Corps

Time:  4-45 p.m.

Signature of Addressee

——————————————–

8A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

                        RCH sent at 8-16 p.m.                                             Recd at 8-18 p.m.

TO Aeronautics

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

                                                            20

Rejoining tomorrow AAA Strategical Reconnaissances from here as usual

Capt. Soames

(Sd.):  W. Salmond, Major, G.S.

21/11/14

From:  Aeronautics

Place:             4 Poperinghe

Time:                                                  8 –p-m-

———————————————–

9A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Royal Flying Corps                   First Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

GQ/20/8                                             20

Wireless machines are to return here when you return AAA

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

Place:

Time:  9-45 p.m.

Signature of Addressee

W. Salmond, Major, G.S.

———————————–

9B

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Major Musgrave

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

Please see attached telegram to R.F.C. 1^st Corps

(Signed): W. Salmond,

Major,

G.S.

The General wants to see these officers.   W.J.S.

From:

Place:

Time:  

Signature of Addressee