The war experiences of 2nd Lt. C. E. Gregory RFC/RAF in 1918
The first of Ludendorff’s Spring Offensives, Operation Michael, is brought to a halt along a line that ran near Villers-Brettoneux, some 10 miles/16 km east of the important railway junction of Amiens.
Read more on the Spring Offensives here:
Villers-Bretonneux has not seen the last of the fighting. More action was to follow later in the month…
Header image credit: Mjchesnel
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.
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 .
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.
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.
At around 4.30am, the German offensive code-named ‘Michael’ began in the direction of Amiens and its rail junctions, with a five-hour artillery bombardment that preceded the assault troops’ attacks.
For more, see The Spring Offensives by Michael Seymour.
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 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.