With the weather improved enough for a 2½ hour counter-battery patrol, Greg saw 30 fires – more than he had ever previously reported. He sent one report of a German battery now firing. Today was Greg’s last flight with Lt Sam Hodgson as observer.
Log Book
Date: 29.8.18 Time: 11.50 Rounds Lewis: 400 Rounds Vickers: 300 Bombs: - Time on RE8s: 145 hrs 25 mins RE8: E27 Observer: Lt Hodgson War Flying Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Height: 7000 Course/Remarks: C.B.P. 30 fires. 1 N.F. [now firing]
Lt Sam Hodgson
This was Lt Sam Hodgson’s 33rd and last flight as Greg’s observer. Perhaps he was posted elsewhere, or began flying training as a pilot in his own right, or possibly he was wounded (or worse) on a flight with someone else. Hodgson was a couple of years older than Greg, having been born on 15 December 1896.
Sam Hodgson’s page on the IWM’s Lives of the First World War website is here.
30 Fires
The 30 fires that Greg reported could have been an indication of increasing pressure from British artillery on enemy-held territory…or maybe it was a sign of an enemy in retreat, laying waste as he goes. As the days ticked past, the British line was advancing eastwards along the Lys towards Estaires.
Taking Off
An RE8 of B Flight, 42 Squadron RAF takes to the air. Getting the horizon level has always been tricky in an action shot!
