In other 42 Squadron news, while observing an artillery shoot Capt. Hutchinson and 2nd Lt. Blair were attacked by five hostile aircraft behind enemy lines a couple of miles north of Merville. They survived and returned to Rely unscathed.
Air combat report. Click for larger image.
Time: 7 p.m.
Locality: K.11. sheet 36a N.E.
Pilot: Capt. G. A. Hutchinson
Observer: 2/Lieut. J. Blair
5 Albatros Scouts. D.III.
E.A. came from back of clouds and were within 100 yards of R.E.8. before discovered. Observer immediately opened fire. Two of the E.A. then turned off. After the Observer had fired 100 rounds the remainder turned off and flew East.
Extract of 1:40,000 map of Merville and surrounding area. Square K11 is 3,000 yards (~ 2miles, ~3km) north of the centre of Merville, which is 17 miles (27 km) west of Lille.
Meanwhile, the other business of the Squadron continued. Capt. Archer, who was in combat action only two days ago (here), was the pilot, who flew to the (unsuccessful) defence of a balloon – probably a kite balloon – near Steenbecque:
Air combat report. Click for larger image
Time: 4.50 p.m.
Locality: STEENBECQUE
Pilot: Capt. R. A. Archer, M.C.
Observer: Lieut. F. B. Sagar
Saw a hostile Scout flying towards Balloon. Decided to attack if I got a chance. E.A. was steering a roundabout course which enabled us to reach Balloon almost as soon as E.A. Dived on E.A. firing Vickers at him until a No 3 stoppage occurred. Turned to give Observer a shot and he put in about 50 rounds. In the meantime the balloon was lit and the E.A. turned home. Closest range Vickers about 150 yards. Lewis about 200 yards. E.A. did not appear to try to fire on us.
No 3 Stoppage
According to the Great War Forum’s user Andrew Upton in a post of 20 November 2016, the most common reason for a No 3 (3rd position) stoppage on the Vickers machine gun is a feed fault, but there are other possibilities, including
Insufficient headspace,
Friction in the lock,
Bent or damaged long spacers (every three rounds),
Thick-rimmed cartridge,
Stuck or “frozen” gib, overly stiff gib spring, or roughness or burrs on extractor face, and
Not enough tension on the recoil spring.
Steenbecque
Steenbecque is just north of the Nieppe Forest, 4½ miles (7 km) northwest of Aire-sur-la-Lys:
Map extract of Steenbecque and Aire, from 1:40,000 series. Each numbered square is 1,000 yds. Click for larger image. Credit: IWM/GreatWarDigital
There was another air combat today at Neuf Berquin near Merville:
Air combat report. Click for larger image
Time: 6.30 a.m.
Locality: MERVILLE
Pilot: Capt. R. A. Archer, M.C.
Observer: 2/Lieut. H.C. Grimes
5 Albatros Scouts of whom only 3 persisted.
While over NEUF BERQUIN saw 5 aeroplanes patrolling about same height over ESTAIRES. Went on South. the 5 aeroplanes who proved to be hostile got into the sun over us. We turned towards our own lines. When about over L'EPINETTE, L.7.c, 3 dived on us firing. Seeing none of our own machines about we side-slipped home, recrossing the line at about 1500' at LE SART. During the whole of the fight, the Observer fired his gun at the E.A. but Pilot made no effort to get the Vickers on. 3 of the E.A. persisted in the attack until our lines were reached.
Map extract of Neuf Berquin, Estaires and Le Sart, from 1:40,000 series. Estaires is 15 miles (24 km) west of Lille and 4 miles (6 km) east of Merville. Each numbered square is 1,000 yds. Click for larger image. Credit: IWM/GreatWarDigital
Looks a bit like a late realisation that the aircraft were hostile. And then the pilot was fully preoccupied in getting them back to safety.
