21A

BIPLANE.

LUST VERKEHRS – GESELLSCHAFT

A.G.

Illustration oblong over inverted triangle with LVG up and down centre of triangle.

BERLIN, JOHANNISTAL.

System Schneider.  Tip D.4. No 161.

R.F.C.

The above is the marking on the German biplane which descended within the lines of the Indian Corps today.

(Sd) G.M.W. Macdonogh,

Brig: General.

I. 8.0. p.m.

21/11/14.

14A

H.Q. R.F.C.

G/122/34

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION, 20/11/14.

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

S of the LYS.

                        No movement reported.

N. of the LYS.

R.F.C. reported large quantities of rolling stock in stations.

General.

Two German 21 cm. mortars have been recovered by the Allies from the front of RAMSCAPPELLE and two more are still there besides some 16 cm. howitzers.

RUSSIA.

The following communication is issued by the Naval General Staff:-

”On November 18th a division of our vessels of the line of the Black Sea Fleet, on their return to SEVASTAPOL from a cruise along the Anatolian coast, sighted a Turkish squadron consisting of the Goben and Breslau 25 miles off the Chersonese lighthouse.

The Russian Fleet at once manoeuvred into battle order, bringing the enemy on to their starboard, and opened fire at a distance of 40 cables.  The first discharge of the 12-inch guns from the flagship Svyatoi Evstafii struck the Goben and caused an explosion on board her which gave rise to an out-break of fire.

The Russian flagship and other vessels continued to make excellent practice, and further explosions occurred in the Goben.

The Goben opened fire after some delay, the enemy very apparently being taken by surprise.

The Germans fired broadsides with their heavy guns, concentrating their fire upon the Russian flagship.

The action lasted 14 minutes, after which the Goben disappeared in the mist.

The Breslau, taking advantage of her speed, did not take part in the action, but kept in the offing.

The Svyatoi Evstafii was the only Russian vessel to suffer any damage, and that was insignificant.

Our casualties were a lieutenant, 3 midshipmen, and 29 sailors killed; one lieutenant and 19 sailors seriously wounded, and 5 sailors slightly wounded”.

W. Salmond

Major, G.S.

H.Q. R.F.C.

10-30 a.m.

21/11/14

20A.

Q.G.

BULLETIN DE RENSEIGNEMENTS.

——————————

reçu le 21-11-14 a 8.45.

Primo.             Rien a signaler sur l’ensemble du front ennemi.

Secundo.       Compte-rendu des reconnaissances d’avions.

                        1o. ENTRE LA MER ET LA LYS. – Matériel pour 15 trains a

                                    OSTENDE.  (plus important que d’habitude).

                                    Matériel pour 144 trains dans le secteur WERWICK –

                                    COURTRAI – INGELMUNSTER – LICHTERVELDE – STADEN.

                                    Pas de mouvements importants sur voies ferrées.

                        2o  ENTRE LYS ET SOMME.par de renseignements sur les voies

ferrées On n’a constate aucun mouvement ni aucune trace sur le neige franchement tombée dans la région LORGIES (2 km Nord de LA BASSEE) HERLIES – FROMELLES – CROIX BLANCHE (12 km Nord de LA BASSEE) AUBERS.  Toutefois les tranches a l’Ouest d’AUBERS paraissent toujours tenues.

                        3o ENTRE SOMME ET OISE aucune modification constatée en

                                    arrière du front.

                                    Ces reconnaissances gênées par le froid et le vent n’ont pu

                                    donner de renseignements sur les voies ferrées.

                        4o ENTRE OISE ET MOISELLE.

                                    On ne signale aucun mouvement de troupes, ni aucune

                                    modification apparente dans les cantonnements.  Pas de

                                    renseignements sur les voies ferrées dans la région St

                                    QUENTIN – NOYON – SOISSON – LAON.

Trafic normal sur voie ferrée entre LAON et L’ARGONNE ainsi

que sur les voies aboutissant a METZ.

20B

ETAT-MAJOR GENERAL              le 20 Novembre 1914

2o 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 :

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

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

            3o. 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).

1 f

Reconnaissance No763                                                         20th 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.

1 k

Reconnaissance No. 767                                                                   20th 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).

1 j

Reconnaissance No. 766                                                                   20th 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.

1 h

Reconnaissance No. 765                                                                   20th 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 110th Heavy Battery on Battery by

                       )                                   ( distillery – correct.

   to                  )                                   (

)                                   (

4-0 p.m.          )                                   (

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

Observer.

1 e

Reconnaissance No 762                                                                    20th 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.

1 d

Reconnaissance No 761                                                                    20th 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.