Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 104

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 7916

                                                                                    U.K. Postmark Little Lever 25 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!

20-7-44

Sweetheart.  Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in the best of health, and I hope that you are the same, I hope that you are looking after yourself.  Tell Hiram to get plenty of beer in for when I come home as I will be very dry, I have had no beer since I arrived on this side of the channel.  I don’t think it will be long now, and what about a turkey for Christmas dinner, can you manage it.  How is my dad keeping these days I hope he is alright, and Uncle Jack too.  Give my love to Gladys and Bernard and my regards to Harold.  How are things in Little Lever still going on in the same old way I suppose.  How are Uncle Arthur, Aunt Ethel and Ivy I hope they are keeping OK.  Give them my regards.  Also give my regards to all at Horwich.  It is rather difficult to find anything to write about here.  I am in a hut with two chaps from Southampton, two Scotsmen, and a Polish chap, and we get on quite well together.  This is all for now Darling, so I will say cheerio and God bless you.  Give my love to your mother and tell her to look after herself.  All my love Sweetheart.  Yours forever

            Ernest xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

or

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Hour,	Date	Place	Summary of Events and Information	Remarks and references to Appendices
27. 28. 29.   30. 31. 32.     33. 34. 35. 36. 37.   38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50 51. 52. 53. 54.	22/11 “ “ “ “ “   23/11 “ “ “ 24/11 “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 25/11 “ “ “ “ “ 26/11“ “ “ “	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- -Do- -Do-	Orders to No. 6 Squadron, 2 Corps. Telegram to Second Corps re guns located – their reply & action. Work done by No. 5 Squadron and reasons for failing of Artillery Observation.  Map of Gun position. Information about Enemy. Orders for Reconnaissance. Memorandum by G.O.C. 3rd Div., on Defensive measures at YPRES.  (Note: General Henderson left on Appointment to command 1st Div.  Col. Sykes took command). Report of failure of Strategical Reconnaissance. Report on Work done by No. 6 Squadron. Information re the enemy. Orders for Reconnaissance. Reconnaissance Reports received & communicated to G.H.Q.   Map Tracing from No. 5 Squadron. Report of failure of Strategical Reconnaissance. Message from IVth Corps re Wireless machine – & action. Report on Day’s Work from No. 5 Squadron. Report on Day’s Work from No. 6 Squadron. Information re enemy. Orders for Reconnaissance. Reports received & communicated to G.H.Q. Report on Work done by No. 6 Squadron, with IInd Corps. Report from O.C. No. 3 Squadron, with Indian Corps. Report from O.C. No. 5 Squadron, with III Corps. Summary of information re enemy. Orders for Reconnaissance. Message to R.F.C. with II, III, IV and Indian Corps. Information re Russian Operations. Work done by No. 6 Squadron Report. Work done by No. 5 Squadron Report.	27A. 28A., 28B., 28C. 29A., 29B., 29C., 29D.   30A. 31A. 32A.     33A. 34A. 35A. 36.A. 37A. C(Reconn. 781,781A, &B.) 38A. 39A. 40A. 41A. 42A. 43A. 44A. 45A. – C. (Reconn 782-784) 46A. 47A. 48A. 49A. 50A. 51A. 52A. 53A. 54A.

26C

Report of INTERVIEW with 4 OFFICERS of the GERMAN

FLYING CORPS.

***********************************

An Intelligence Officer from G.H.Q. had already had 5 hours conversation with the prisoners, and had elicited a good deal of information.  I only endeavoured to make enquiries on matters not touched upon in the previous interview.

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

All 4 officers maintained that their machines fly faster and climb better then the B.E’S.  as, however, one of them said that he never reached 2,000 metres under 30 minutes, their climbing power is clearly inferior to that of the B.E.s.  All the machines can carry from 5 to 6 hours’ petrol, but at present they rarely carry more that 3 hours’ petrol.

The Aviatik and Albatross are considered the best machines; the Fokker is also good, but not so easy to land.  All other types are old machines and out of date.  A new machine is said to have gone through its trials and to be ready for delivery.  It carries pilot and observer, and will fly at 140 kilometres per hour.

Bombing: is only regarded of value from the moral effect it may produce.  Pilots who make a habit of dropping Bombs have a sighting-apparatus fitted.  One of them remarked that he would never drop a Bomb without a sighting-apparatus.  The pilot always drops the Bomb.

Armour-proof Plating:  Machines are fitted with Armour-proof seats for pilot and observer.  Some machines are going to be fitted or are already fitted with Armour-proof Plating along the floor from pilot’s seat to the engine; the underpart of the engine is also to be protected.

Machine Guns:  One of the officers volunteered that some machines are fitted with machine guns.  but they showed so much surprise at finding that L. Strange’s Avro was armed with a machine-gun, that I came to the conclusion that machines have not yet been flown at any rate beyond German lines with Machine Guns.

Questioned as to the sheds at GHISTELLES near OSTENDE, said that they knew nothing about them.

I was interested to learn that it has been given out that Captain Grey, recently captured, was, in fact Colonel Grey, the Commanding Officer of the British Royal Flying Corps.

They also told me that two British Naval Officers were brought down and killed near DIXMUDE about three weeks ago.  The machine was flying low, the pilot having apparently missed his way.  It was thought that the machine must have been hit by a chance shot from a heavy gun; the aeroplane collapsed suddenly in the air and burst into flames.  This must have been Lt. Beever and his passenger.

The interview was interrupted at this point, as the prisoners had to be removed from ST. OMER.

(Signed): G.S. Shephard, Capt.,

Royal Flying Corps.

—————————-

24/11/14

            They were anxious to learn what effect anti-aircraft guns had on English machines and pilots.  They realised that no machines had been brought down, but thought that several had been hit.

            They were informed that the effect of their anti-aircraft guns, whether moral or otherwise, had, as they must have seen for themselves, been insignificant.

H.Q. R.F.C.                                                                                       Major, G.S.

 8-0 p.m.

            29/11/14.

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.