After a couple of weeks on other duties, it’s back to shoots today. Greg observes and directs the fire of 323 Siege Battery RGA on a position just south of Merville station, while simultaneously undertaking some counter-battery patrol work.
Log Book
Date: 17.7.18 Hour: 9.15-12.30 Machine type: RE8 RE8: 2526 Observer: Lt. Hodgson Time: 3 hr 15 m Height: 3000 Course/Remarks: CBP & Shoot. Successful. 4 Coopers. 600 rds SA
Diary
Wednesday July 17th. C.B.P. & Shoot. 4 Coopers. Did the shoot, but after about half an hour’s firing for effect, battery started using only one gun. Up from 9.15 to 12.30. 323 SB.
Squadron Record Book
Type and Number: R.E.8.2526 Pilot and Observer: P. Lt Gregory. O. Lt Hodgson Duty: Art Obs 323 S.B. (6” How) on H.B. at K.35.b.78.27. Hour of Start: 9.15 Hour of Return: 12.30 Remarks: SUCCESSFUL. Called up 9.38. K. 9.40 Triangle 9.43. [Triangle Δ means 'wait'] L. 9.55. G. 9.56. V. 11.5. Time G. to V. 1 hr 9 mins. OBSERVED: M.O.K. M.A.3. 3 O.K. 5 Y. 1 Z. 5 A. 8 B. 18 C. 2 D. 9 W. 50 ranging rounds. 3 M.O.K. during B.F. three hits on house at K.35.b.7.3. 2 pits hit. Fire at 10.55. and explosion in ranging pit at 11.0. 12.10 sent C.I. (raining). Shoot by P. Height 3000’. MISC INF. 9.30. 4-25 lb bombs dropped K.35.b.4. All bursts observed. 9.30. 4 E.K.B. S.E. of ESTAIRES. 9.40. fire at L.27.d.1.1. burnt until 10.0. 10.17. explosion at L.7.d.0.2. 11.15 4 E.K.B. N. of ESTAIRES. 11.20. C.W.S. sent X. 11.35. sent U.D. F.R. U.L. Mist. 200 rounds V.G. and 400 L.G. fired into enemy trenches at 1000’. Vis. fair. Obs. By P. & O.
The house at K.35.b.7.3 was right next to the hostile battery at K.35.b.78.27, just south of the tracks at Merville Station, so it was not surprising that it was hit several times. And maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for the Germans to position a battery next to the station. After all, it would be bound to attract hostile fire, and the likelihood would be that the station as well as the battery would get knocked about.
For more on shoots, see:
For more on Counter Battery Patrols/CBPs, see: