Lts Puckle (Pilot) and Nicolson (Observer) of 42 Sqn RAF again saw aerial combat, only three days after their last encounter. This time they were on photographic duty, and were incidentally attacking enemy kite balloons near Estaires when they became entangled with a couple of Albatros scouts. Presumably the job of the scouts was to defend the kite balloons.
Time: 11.35am
Locality: ESTAIRES
Pilot: Lt H. Puckle Observer: Lt J. F. W. Nicolson
Two Albatros Scouts.
While attacking 4 E.K.B. at R.4, R.11, R.17, G.20, two Albatross Scouts were seen by Observer to be climbing up to machine about 1500 feet below. Observer fired a drum of Lewis into nearest E.A. which spun down, flattened out and flew away East. The other Scout also flew away.
Estaires
The map squares R.4, R.11, R.17 and G.20 (1:40,000 sheets 36A and 36) are either side of Estaires, which is in the Département du Nord on the River Lys, about 15 miles (24 km) west of Lille:
Estaires and its environs. Scale: 1:40,000 on original print; each numbered square is 1,000 yds (914 m). Map credit: IWM/TNA/RGS/GreatWarDigital
While Greg was at Hursley Park, an RE8 of 42 Sqn RAF saw aerial combat this day while Lts Puckle (Pilot) and Nicolson (Observer) were on artillery registration duty at 6:30am. “Artillery registration” was more informally known as a “shoot” – the process of directing fire from a battery onto a target, typically a hostile battery, as practised by Greg at Yatesbury on 4 May 1918:
Time: 6.30am Locality: Between NIEPPE FOREST and
MERVILLE
Pilot: Lt H. Puckle Observer: Lt J. F. W. Nicolson
Two seater, either an Albatros or resembling one
The E.A. was first fired on when flying north from
MERVILLE and 500 feet above us. Two drums were fired
at him when he turned and flew towards MERVILLE,
and in flying somewhat across his track 1½ drums were
fired, and the E.A. disappeared into the haze over
ESTAIRES apparently undamaged.
Merville and the Nieppe Forest. Scale: 1:40,000 in original print; each numbered square is 1,000 yds (914 m). Map credit: IWM/TNA/RGS/GreatWarDigital
The area between the Nieppe Forest and Merville, on the River Lys. Merville is 17 miles (30 km) west of Lille. Map credit: Imperial War Museum/Great War DigitalSo no harm done (or inflicted). But a nervous moment for the crew of an RE8, which was not built for elective aerial combat. The risks were never far away.
The combat report was signed by Major H. J. F. Hunter MC, who on 17 April 1918 had taken over as the new CO of 42 Sqn from Major R. G. Gould MC. Major Hunter would be in charge when Greg was posted to the squadron in June.
42 Squadron RAF, Greg’s future squadron, moves the 4½ miles (7 km) southwest from Trèzennes (aka Trezennes or Triezennes), just outside Aire-sur-la-Lys to Rely, Pas-de-Calais, on top of the low chalk hills to the southwest.
42 Squadron’s move WNW from Trèzennes to Rely, Pas-de-Calais, shown on a modern map (courtesy Google). Click for a larger, zoomable map (opens in new tab)
It was no doubt the continuing westward advance of German forces in Operation Georgette that occasioned the move to Rely, although by 25 April 1918 the line had practically been held some 6½ miles (10½ km) to the east of Trèzennes. For more on Georgette and the Spring Offensives in General, see:
The outlook is grim. Operation Georgette progresses apace, as the header image shows, and the front line reached the middle of Merville by nightfall as German forces advance west.
“With our backs to the wall…”
In fact, the outlook is so grim, that on this day General Haig issued his famous ‘backs to the wall’ order:
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
By FIELD-MARSHAL SIR DOUGLAS HAIG
K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E.
Commander-in-Chief, British Armies in France
To ALL RANKS OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS.
Three weeks ago to-day the enemy began his terrific attacks against us on a fifty-mile front. His objects are to separate us from the French, to take the Channel Ports and destroy the British Army.
In spite of throwing already 106 Divisions into the battle and enduring the most reckless sacrifice of human life, he has as yet made little progress towards his goals.
We owe this to the determined fighting and self-sacrifice of our troops. Words fail me to express the admiration which I feel for the splendid resistance offered by all ranks of our Army under the most trying circumstances.
Many amongst us now are tired. To those I would say that Victory will belong to the side which holds out the longest. The French Army is moving rapidly and in great force to our support.
There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man : there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause each one of us must fight on to the end. The safety of our homes and the Freedom of mankind alike depend upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment.
(Signed) D. Haig. F.M.
Commander-in-Chief,
British Armies in France
An RE8 of 42 Squadron RAF, Greg’s future squadron, saw aerial combat around Béthune:
42 Sqn Combat Report; Click or tap for larger image
Time: 2.42 p.m. Locality: BETHUNE
Pilot: 2/Lieut B. Martin; Observer: 2/Lieut J. R. Bono
Five hostile scouts. All were of same type, single seaters, believed to be Albatross Scouts, biplanes and no extensions, with Spad tails, marked black and white
Upon getting above clouds, Observer drew Pilot’s attention to 5 planes coming from North East. Upon reaching 3000 feet the E.A. formation was seen to swerve round and try to drive us over the line. Pilot turned slightly to West and by this time two of the leading E.A. dived on us, one diving directly on our nose which was engaged by the Pilot’s gun, nose to nose, and the other on the right wing was engaged by the Observer’s gun. The machine engaged by Pilot gave way and went under the machine and was not seen again and is believed to have been hit. Meanwhile the E.A. attacking on the right and engaged by Observer was seen to glide down and disappear in cloud, the Observer having fired one magazine into it. One of the other hostile planes was seen to fly towards and parallel to ours and Observer emptied another drum into it. Pilot was then entering clouds and E.A. went away. Ten minutes later 4 machines were seen approaching from enemy line from further North than place where last 5 E.A. were seen. They approached and Pilot disappeared under the clouds.
Header Image: Adapted from Map 7 of Haig’s Despatches ‘The German Offensive on the Lys, April 1918’. Credit: Imperial War Museum and Great War Digital
Operation Georgette – the Battle of the Lys – began at dawn, following a long artillery bombardment.
Michael Seymour writes:
On 9 April, the Germans opened their second phase of the offensive, code-named ‘Georgette’. From the vicinity of Passchendaele (with its higher ground) in the north of the sector, to Neuve-Chapelle in the south, the attacks replicated the experiences of ‘Michael’ – almost.
On the same day, 42 Squadron RAF, Greg’s future squadron in France, moves 9 miles (14 km) northwest from Chocques to Trezennes, near Aire-sur-la-Lys:
42 Squadron’s move northwest from Chocques to Trezennes shown on a modern map (courtesy Google). Click for a larger, zoomable map (opens in new tab)
Although 42 Squadron would have moved from Trezennes by the time Greg joined it in early June, he would get to know Trezennes rather better than he would wish…
42 Squadron RFC, Greg’s future squadron, saw multiple enemy aircraft engagements on this day. Aerial combat was by no means the primary role of RE8s, but they defended themselves as well as they could when they had to – successfully on each of the occasions described below.
The squadron had moved to Chocques only the previous Friday, 22 March 1918, but today was back in action in the Somme sector as part of the defence against Operation Michael of the Kaiserschlacht.
Three separate combat reports were filed by the crew of 42 Squadron aircraft that were on reconnaissance or bombing missions. The pilot of the third aircraft was the Squadron Commander, Major R. G. Gould, M.C.
RE8 3866
42 Sqn Combat Report; Click or tap for larger image
Time: 12 Noon; Locality: between VILLERS & BRAY SUR SOMME
Pilot: Lt A. D. McDonald; Observer: Lt J. Chatterton
Five E.A. Albatros scouts.
Crossed front S. of Albert and West of VILLERS. Just E. of Villers saw body of men and horses apparently in Coy formation. Bombs dropped at these and while observer concentrating on these with Lewis gun, pilot sighted one Albatros some distance below, apparently manoeuvring for tail position. Turned and steered westward, and immediately encountered four more E.A.. Two above and on left, and two about level and nearly behind. Enemy secured about 20 hits on our machine. Observer fired on one attacking machine behind us, and after 10 rounds gun jambed. Owing to mist and very thick haze, we were able to get away .
RE8 3598
42 Sqn Combat Report; Click or tap for larger image
Time: 5 p.m.; Locality: between BAPAUME & ALBERT
Pilot: 2/Lt A. R. Holthouse; Observer: Capt. M. F. Bridge
Albatros Scouts (7) seven.
After bombing and shooting on ground targets from 3000 ft to 7800 feet, in vicinity of BAPAUME, 7 Albatros scouts attacked us.
Fought down to 3000 feet, when relief arrived by our own scouts, believed to be S.E.5’s.
About 10 shots only obtained out of Vickers gun, when it jambed. Four shots went through propeller. Old Vickers gear on gun – unsatisfactory.
Lewis gun also jambed, and both guns were out of action.
Controls and machine shot about. Large holes in tail, sight, & tank from A.A.
Observer wounded in leg.
Machine landed at No.2 A.F.C. Aerodrome.
RE8 5886
42 Sqn Combat Report; Click or tap for larger image
Time: 6.30 p.m.; Locality: MORLANCOURT
Pilot: Major R. G. Gould, M.C. ; Observer: 2/Lt. D. G. Smith
Albatross Scout
One drum fired at E.A. after which he turned away, and did not worry us again.
The remainder of the enemy formation was engaged by other British Machines.
42 Squadron RFC, Greg’s future squadron, moves the 32 miles (52 km) north northeast from Fienvillers, Somme to Chocques, Pas-de-Calais. Chocques is west of Béthune and SSW of Merville, in the Lys sector.
42 Squadron’s move northeast from Fienvillers to Chocques shown on a modern map (courtesy Google). Click for a larger, zoomable map (opens in new tab)
On the day Greg begins flight training, the RE8s of 42 Squadron RFC, his future squadron in France, arrive at Fienvillers in the Somme department from Poggia Renatico, near Ferrara in Italy. The squadron had been in Italy since November 1917. Fienvillers is some 16 miles/25 km NNW of Amiens.
42 Squadron RFC returns to Fienvillers in the Somme from Poggia Renatico, Ferrara, Italy, shown on a present day map (courtesy Google) – click for an interactive map (opens in new tab).
42 Squadron had been formed on 1 April 1916 at Filton, near Bristol. It left for France in August 1916 and was successively located at St Omer, La Gorgue (near Merville, on the Lys, west of Lille), Ballieul and Fienvillers/Candas (Somme). A tour of Italy followed (Santa Pelagio, Istrana, Grossa, Santa Luca and Poggia Renatico), before returning to Fienvillers on 14 March 1918. Hat tip to Trevor ‘fetubi’ of The Great War Forum for the list of 42 Squadron locations.
Operation Georgette – the Battle of the Lys – began at dawn, following a long artillery bombardment.
