Here is another photograph from the Somme sector, again of the area around Mametz, and again the product of 205 Sqn.
Vertical aerial view South of Mametz (Somme). Click for larger image. Credit: Greg’s War CollectionAerial view of the same location today (courtesy Google). Click for larger image, or here to go to the Google map view: https://goo.gl/maps/47z47Y7t6FG2
This is similar to but not quite the same as the field of the previous photograph taken on 30 June 1918:
Not a great deal has changed between the 30 June 1918 and 16 July 1918 photos. But in the 16 July photo, in the woods towards the bottom of the field of view as well as in the scoop out of the woods, there seem to be dark crosses, each on a light circular background. Red crosses indicating hospitals or field dressing stations, possibly?
As before, it isn’t clear how this photograph came to be in Greg’s collection.
Today Greg was ‘on photos’ – on photographic duty. But camera trouble means that only a small proportion of the plates exposed were useful.
Log Book
Date: 16.7.18
Hour: 12.10-1.15
Machine type: RE8
RE8: E27
Observer: Lt. Hodgson
Time: 1 hr 5 m
Height: 6500
Course/Remarks: Photos. 52 plates exposed, only 19 any good.
Diary
Tuesday July 16th. E27. On photos, took up 54 plates but shutter of camera stuck open after 19th. 16 of the 19 were serviceable.
Squadron Record Book
Type and Number: R.E.8.27
Pilot and Observer: P. Lt Gregory. O. Lt Hodgson
Duty: Photos.
Hour of Start: 12.10
Hour of Return: 13.15
Remarks: 52 plates exposed over Q.A. Q.B. and R.A.
Height 6500’.
12.40. 3 E.K.B. [enemy kite balloon] behind ESTAIRES. 12.45. 5 E.A. [enemy aircraft] over M. square. A.A. battery firing from approx K.29.c.3.3. [see below] A.A. active. Vis. good. Obs. By P. & O.
Zones QA, QB and RA are all just south or Merville. QA, the westernmost of the three zones, contains the German front line and about 500 yards to the west of it the British front line.
Merville from 1 1:20,000 Map of Harassing Fire dated 27 June 1918. German positions an red, British in blue. Click for larger image. Credit: IWM/TNA/GreatWarDigital
The same view today on Google maps. Much of zone QB is now occupied by Merville-Calonne Airport.
Merville today. Click to go to a zoomable image on Google maps.
The anti-aircraft battery at K.29.c.3.3 is probably feature 51 in zone KD, just underneath the two circles. The site today is in the garden of the rather elegant house at 52 rue de Maréchal Joffre in Merville:
