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.

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Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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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.

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Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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-

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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.

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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

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

No of Message 315

Priority

OB/B234

C. Deedes, Capt.,

TO       R.F.C.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

O (a) 520                                           20^th    

Following received from 3^rd Division Begins Report just received that two German Aeroplanes have been circling over 3^rd Cav. Bde. line directing artillery fire for past two hours ends.

From: G.H.Q.

Place:

Time:  12-25 p.m.

C. Deedes, Capt., G.S.

Signature of Addressee

G.S.O. 2.,

            R.F.C.

            The following work was carried out during day:

• BROCK & PENN-GASKELL: Gun reconnaissance, Northern, was successful.
• STRANGE & PENN GASKELL: Special Tactical Reconnaissance was successful.
• BROCK & SMALL: Gun Reconnaissance, Southern, was successful.
• BORTON & HEATHCOTE: Artillery Work with vi Div.
• STRANGE & PENN GASKELL: Chased a Voisin in response to an urgent message from iii A.C., but did not fire, recognising it as a French machine.

The IV Div. did not require any Art. Work.

20/11/14.   (S): A.C.W. Maclean, Major.

10 B

Note: – 10 B is a tracing and not typed.

G.S.,

            R.F.C.                                     In the Field.

I expect to get orders from Ist Corps to-night, that we are no longer required.

If so, we will come to ST. OMER tomorrow morning.

I will also tell WADE – GREY to bring in his A.A. Gun.

He would like a day or so to refit, but does not require it.

If this is not right please wire me to-night.

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Enclosed Reconnaissance Reports:

2^nd – UNWIN  …  17/11.

  “   – ROCHE …   18/11.

    “   – UNWIN …    18/11.

Only Hallett T.        18/11.

  “    –      –     T.      19/11.

1^st – ROCHE …    20/11.

  “   – UNWIN …    20/11.

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

In the Field;                           (Sd):  H. Roche, Lieut.,

2-50 p.m.  20/11/14         for O.C. No. 4 Sqdn., R.F.C.

(By Motor Cyclist).

O.C.

No. 5 Detachment,

ST. OMER.

Hostile Aeroplane is reported about KEMMEL (N. of BAILLEUL) directing Artillery Fire.

Send an Avro out.

R.F.C. H.Q.,              (Signed): W. Salmond, Mjr., G.S.

20/11/14

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Received 1-30 p.m.

I will immediately take action.

                                    (Signed): R.O. Abercromby, Lieut.

Fourth Corps

G.H.Q. have allotted Wireless Aeroplanes at present available to 2^nd & 3^rd Corps.

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4B

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

       Words                                                                                         Recd at 1-30 p.m.

ADR 46

DHQ Sent at 1-21 p.m.

TO Colonel Sykes                           G.H.Q.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

H.R.O. /421

We are much in need of a Wireless installation here to range our batteries AAA Henderson told me he would send me two but none have arrived so far and our artillery is much handicapped in consequence.

From: Fourth Corps

Place:

Time:  1-20 p.m.

Signature of Addressee

4C

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Fourth Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

GQ/20/3                                             20                                HRO/421

GHQ have allotted Wireless machines to 2^nd and 3^rd Corps.

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

Place:

Time:  

W. Salmond, Maj., G.S.

Signature of Addressee

G.H.Q.

Steps are being taken to interfere with these Aeroplanes.

Two details would help us:

• If 3^rd Division would say where their aeroplanes are, instead of saying “over 3^rd Cav Brig.”
• If the information could be sent to us before the expiry of two hours.

Also there are six Aeroplanes with the IInd Corps.  Was the information sent to them?  Sending in to H.Q. adds 30 miles and no doubt other delays.

                        (Sd):  David Henderson, M.G.,

                                    Commanding R.F.C.

20/11/14.

3

G.O.C., R.F.C.

The information regarding the position of the 3^rd Cav. Bde. was sent up to you subsequent to the despatch of this message.  I regret it was not sent up at the same time.

The Brigade is just South of the YPRES – MENIN road.

The IInd Corps has been informed.

20/11/14.                    (Sd): C. Deedes, Capt., G.S.

                                    for Brig-Gen., G.S.