100 Years Ago Today

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Monday 9th October 1916

Today we lost: 1010

Today’s losses include:

• A Battalion Commander
• A Victoria Cross winner
• Multiple families that will two and three sons in the Great War
• A man whose son will be killed in November 1940
• A man whose nephew sill be killed in July 1940
• Multiple sons of members of the clergy
• An International footballer

Air Operations:

Addendum to 8^th October:

The Deutsche Luftstreitkrafte—known before October 1916 as the Fleigertruppen des Deutschen Kaiserreiches (Imperial German Flying Corps) or simply Die Fliegertruppe was the air arm of the German Army, of which it remained an integral part. In English-language sources it is usually referred to as the Imperial German Air Service, although that is not a literal translation of either name. German naval aviators serving with the Marine-Fliegerabteilung remained an integral part of the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine). Both military branches, the army and navy, operated conventional aircraft, observation balloons and Zeppelins.

During 1916, the German High Command, in response to Allied air superiority, reorganized their forces by creating several types of specialist units, most notably single-seat fighter squadrons, or Jastas as the contraction of Jagdstaffel (literally "hunting squadron"), in order to counter the offensive operations of the Royal Flying Corps and the French Aviation Militaire.

Following the era of the KEK units through the summer of 1916, Jagdstaffeln (hunting squadrons), established by the reorganization that started by the late summer of 1916 were fielded by four kingdoms of the German Empire.

Western Front: Adjutants Baron and Chazard bombard by night the Bosch magneto factory at Stuttgart.

Levant: U.F.C. bombs Tigris camp.

Britain: 2 minor flying incident:

Whilst flying a BE2c with 58 Squadron UK, RFC, AM 1 Edwards was wounded on his first solo when trying to complete a sharp turn downwind at 200ft the aircraft dived into the ground.

Whilst flying a Sopwith with 28 Reserve Squadron UK, RFC, 2Lt EB Mason was wounded as his engine stalled. He was unable to restart the engine and caught by a strong wind side slipped into the ground.

Royal Flying Corps Losses today: No deaths are recorded today.

Claims: There are no claims for today.

Western Front

64° - 50° fine day.

Somme:

British advance easy of Le Sars towards Butte de Warlencourt, 25^th Division captures Stuff Redoubt.

Tunstills Men Monday 9th October 1916:

Front line trenches south of Le Sars

On the night of the 8^th /9^th 15^th Division relieved 23^rd Division. At 12.30 am 6^th Cameron Highlanders began to relieve the Battalion and the last men were clear of the trenches by 3.35 am. They then began the weary eight-mile march back to billets in Albert. A break was taken en route near Round Wood, “to feed and rest the men who are very exhausted. Practically no sleep had been obtained by the men for the last six days and it was with difficulty that they could struggle through the deep mud for the long distance, even to Round Wood”; the only consolation being that the weather was fine and mild.

On arrival in Albert a warning order was received that 23^rd Division was was to be temporarily transferred to X Corps and be moved to the Ailly-le-Haut Clocher area, with the move, by train, planned for 11^th and 12^th; 69^th Brigade was expected to move on 12^th, with transport moving the previous day. It was ordered that billeting parties should be made ready to move to the Poperinghe area on 15^th.

In Albert they were joined by newly-arrived Capt. Leo Frederick Reincke, who was the replacement for Capt. James Christopher Bull (see 4^th October).

Total casualties for the actions around Le Sars were recorded in the War Diary as: Officers - 3 killed, 4 wounded, 1 shell shock. Other Ranks: 38 killed, 107 wounded, 10 missing, 21 shell shock.

In his official report of the actions around Le Sars, Brig. Genl. T.S. Lambert (see passim) was clearly outraged by the press reporting of events: “In the description given by the Times correspondent of the capture of Le Sars it was stated that the operation was effected without difficulty, the enemy surrendering freely; this description gives a totally wrong impression as the correspondent would have learnt had he spent the previous and succeeding days in the open country with the troops in front of Brigade Headquarters and I should be glad if on a future occasion that correspondent might be invited to do so. The enemy surrendered only when compelled to do so and after offering as much resistance as he was able”.

Lambert also gave his more personal account of recent events in a letter home to his wife,

“We are back again in comparative quiet for a bit and I can tell you we were not sorry … The men were magnificent but absolutely done carrying their things back. The mud was awful and of course most of them had practically had no real sleep for a whole week, so it was not surprising that some of them could barely get along. However we won our village and the new victory put a wonderfully new aspect on things in general. We had a long trek back over many miles of awful slush and they were carrying heavy weights too. They got back about 10am had a rest for an hour or two and some food and then marched on again. I am staying here for a night as it is convenient but it is well back and comparatively peaceful. The two brigades captured about eight machine guns and 474 officers and men and everyone has been sending congratulations as usual. I dare say say you will see something about it in the papers. Of course it was different from Contalmaison which was purely my own show, but I had to do a good deal of the arranging for this and I am glad they were so successful. Our greatest enemy this time perhaps was the weather, though the shelling was perhaps the heaviest we have yet experienced and the machine gun fire very severe. But like good Yorkshiremen they went at it and bagged the lot! This makes our fourth definite victory exclusive of what may be called the more minor battles for parts of trenches. Horseshoe, Contalmaison, Munster Alley and Le Sars give us a record we can be very proud of as we have roped in a good many thousand prisoners all told now besides some 16 machine guns and a field gun and a lot of other stuff. Considering the time my men had had for the four previous days and that we were in for seven days all told, it was a fine effort for the wet and the mud had made everyone absolutely miserable physically of course. I was glad enough to get back this morning and I had my clothes off for the first time for a week and a hot bath in a big wooden tub!

It was fine this morning fortunately. Of course the men could hardly even lie down during the week as the place was generally nearly all mud. Much less could they ever take their boots off, and they had no greatcoats but only a leather jerkin and a waterproof sheet to keep the wet off. Most of them were pretty well covered in mud. It has been colder today. I expect we move back further tomorrow and shall I hope go for a rest”.

Pte. William Hoyle (see 4^th October) returned to duty, following treatment for facial wounds he had suffered at Le Sars.

An official telegram was also sent from the War Office to the father of Lt. Harry Harris (see 7^th October) informing him that his son had been killed in action.

An official telegram was also sent from the War Office to the family of 2Lt. Robert Main Graham (see 7^th October) informing them that their son had been wounded; he had in fact been killed in action on 4^th October.

Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison (see 23^rd September), who had been England since being wounded in action at Munster Alley, reported for duty with 3DWR (83rd Training Reserve) at North Shields, having been declared fit for home service.

Pte. Richard Butler, who had a series of brushes with military discipline and was currently in England, having been treated for wounds suffered in the actions at Munster Alley in July (see 20^th September) again found himself in trouble; he was reported absent from the Regimental Depot at Halifax from 9.30am. His absence was reported by Sergeants Teasdale and Gill.

A final statement was taken regarding 2Lt. Roland Herbert Wyndham Brinsley-Richards (see 3^rd October) who was officially reported ‘missing in action’ following the attack on Munster Alley. The informant, onboard the Hospital Ship Maheno, was Sgt. Richard Farrar. He stated;

“He was killed by shrapnel in our line called Munster Alley during the night of July 30^th (sic.). I was present and saw this. His body was buried at first in our trenches and I do not know if it was ever recovered. The grave was marked. The spot is about 1 ½ miles on the right front of Contalmaison.”

Sgt. Farrar, who had been wounded on 4^th October, was subsequently transferred to 2DWR.

A payment of £5 7s was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Claude Smith Slater (see 12^th August), who had died of wounds on 9^th July. The payment would go to his widowed mother, Annie.

2Lt. Arthur Poynder Garratt (see 10^th September), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, having recovered from an accidental injury while serving with 9DWR, appeared before a Medical Board at South Shields and was declared fit for general service; he would shortly be posted to join 10DWR.

Lt. Paul James Sainsbury, (see 15^th September) who would later serve with 10DWR, appeared before a Medical Board convened at Caxton Hall Hospital, London. The Board reported on his condition: “Sleep – fair, but occasionally dreams unpleasantly; no headache but he would be improved by another 3 week holiday, after which it is probable he will be fit for general service”.

Eastern Front:

Enemy takes Torzburg (south west of Kronstadt).

Galicia: East of Brzezany enemy assumes offensive, fighting on the Volhynia front.

Southern Front:

Macedonia: Allied forces advance on both wings.

Serbs attack enemy’s 3^rd and last line of defence in Cherna loop, capture positions at Slivitza; Bulgarians retire north of Brod.

British advance posts within 5,000 yards of Seres.

Eighth Battle of the Isonzo: Italian 2^nd and 3^rd Armies; 225 Battalions; 26 dismounted squadrons; 1,305 guns and 883 mortars attack Austrian 5^th Army, 107 Battalions and 538 guns.

Trentino: Italians regain north slope of Mt Pasubio, more progress in Vallarsa Valley, repel counter attacks. 372 PoW taken and * guns.

Naval Operations:

Shipping Losses: 2

Neutrals:

Greece: Venizelos arrives in Salonika, receives a great ovation, forms new provisional government (Oct 10^th – Allies recognise Oct 16^th); Lambros heads new official government (Oct 8^th), M. Zalocosta, Foreign Affairs; Gen Drako, War.

Political:

British Royal Commission on wheat and flour control appointed.

Anniversary Events:

28 BC		The Temple of Apollo is dedicated on the Palatine Hill in Rome.
1470		Henry VI of England restored to the throne.
1760		Austrian and Russian troops enter Berlin and begin burning structures and looting.
1779		The Luddite riots being in Manchester, England in reaction to machinery for spinning cotton.
1781		Americans begin shelling the British surrounded at Yorktown.
1825		The first Norwegian immigrants to America arrive on the sloop Restaurationen.
1863		Confederate cavalry raiders return to Chattanooga after attacking Union General William Rosecrans' supply and communication lines all around east Tennessee.
1888		The Washington Monument, designed by Robert Mills, opens to the public.
1914		Germans take Antwerp, Belgium, after 12-day siege.

[Mike George]

Again very nice work.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Tuesday 10th October 1916

Today we lost: 786

Today’s losses include:

• A Rhodes Scholar
• Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
• Multiple sons of members of the clergy
• The grandson of a former Member of Parliament for South Shields
• A holder of the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for life saving

Air Operations:

Western Front: 10^th/11^th French night raid on Lorrach establishment, Colmar aviation ground, and Mulheim railway station.

Levant: U.F.C. bombs Tigris camp.

Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 4

Capt Adams, R.N. (Ralph Newton), 23 Squadron, RFC. Killed in Action 10 October 1916. Shot in the groin and mortally wounded 10 October 1916 when aeroplane attacked by five enemy aircraft while on photographic duty. The aeroplane was landed by the observer but it crashed into a shell hole.

2Lt Hayne, M. (Moreton), 25 Squadron, RFC, aged 18, hit in head by machine gun fire. FE2b 4292 had originally been attacked by Richthofen but was finished off by another German aircraft 10 October 1916. Lieut A H M Copeland, Canadian ASC and RFC, who was wounded.

Cpl Jeffs, B.F.G. (Bertie Frederick George), 11 Squadron, RFC, aged 21.

2Lt Lawledge, F.M. (Francis Matt), 70 Squadron, RFC, aged 38.

Claims: 10 + 1 unconfirmed.

Lt Charles Alexandre Bronislas Borzecki claims his 2^nd confirmed kill, shared with Sgt J Huffer, for N62, shooting down an enemy aircraft east of Peronne. Called to active duty on 2 August 1914, Borzecki transferred to the air service and was assigned to Escadrille C43 on 3 November 1914. With this unit, he scored one victory in 1916 before being reassigned to Escadrille N62.


Sous Lt René Pierre Marie Dorme claims his 13^th confirmed kill, flying for N3 he shot down an Aviatic north of Peronne.

Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke claims his 32^nd confirmed kill flying for Jasta 2 he shot down a FE2b near Morval.


Lt Erwin Böhme claims his 3^rd confirmed kill shooting down an FE2b.


Lt Wilhelm Frankl claims his 14^th confirmed kill Flying for Jasat 4, he shot down a Nieuport near Villers Carbonnel. The son of a Jewish businessman, Frankl scored his first victory on 10 May 1915 while serving as an observer with FA 40. That day, he shot down a Voisin with a carbine. For this feat, he received the Iron Cross, 1st Class. Later that year he became a pilot and scored nine victories flying the Eindecker with KEK Vaux. On 1 September 1916, he joined Jasta 4 and scored eleven more victories.



Lt Hans Imelmann claims his 1^st confirmed kill, flying for Jasta 2 he shot down a Sopwith 11/2 Strutter near Lagnicourt. An Eindecker pilot with KEK Metz, Imelmann was selected by Oswald Boelcke for service with Jasta 2.


Offizierstellvertreter Fritz Gustav August Kosmahl claims his 3^rd confirmed kill, flying for FA22 he shot down a FE2b near Roeux. On 10 October 1916,Manfred von Richhofen engaged and badly damaged anFE2b. Continuing to fire upon the smoking two-seater, Richthofen was forced to withdraw when he was suddenly attacked from the rear. Kosmahl and his observer, Oberleutnant Neubürger, took this opportunity to move in for the kill and shot down the badly damaged aircraft. What might have been the Red Baron's fifth victory became the third for Kosmahl.


Lt Max Ritter von Müller claims his 1^st confirmed kill, flying for Jasta 2 he shot down a DH2. While chauffeur to the Bavarian War Minister, Müller's constant request for a transfer to the Air Service was eventually approved.


Rittmeister Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen unconfirmed kill, whilst flying an Albators DII for Jasta 2 he engaged a FE2b near Arras.


Hauptmann Martin Zander claims his 5^th confirmed kill flying for Jasta 1 he shot down a DH2 near Beugny. Stanley Cockerell of 24 Squadron was wounded and forced to land by Martin Zander on 10 October 1916.


Capt Frederick Libby claims his 8^th confirmed kill flying for 11 Squadron, RFC. Capt Stephen Price was the pilot flying the FE2b as Libby shot down an enemy scout near Bapaume. The son of Freeman Libby and the first American to down five enemy aircraft during World War I, Frederick Libby never flew a combat mission for the United States Air Service. He became an ace while serving as an observer with 11 Squadron in the Royal Flying Corps. When the war began, Libby was in Canada where he joined the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 12 February 1915. Upon reaching France, he served as a truck driver but was wounded and returned to England in December 1915. When he recovered, he volunteered for service with the Royal Flying Corps. "I had 10 hours of flying before going into combat," he would later say. As an Fe2b observer, the Colorado cowboy became the first American ace of the war in the summer of 1916. The following year, Libby completed pilot training and was posted to 43 Squadron on 18 April 1917.

Western Front

Somme:

68° - 46° fine sunny day.

Rawlinson inspects both road and rail and sees roads that have "simply disappeared". The desolation he writes "is appalling".

In the south French 6^th Army resumes the offensive (until Oct 21^st); woods captured north west of Chaulnes and ground gained towards 3 villages. 1,400 PoW taken on a 3 1/2 mile frontage; enemy counter attacks repulsed at Bois de Chaulnes taking 1,702 PoW (Oct 11^th)

Tunstills Men Tuesday 10th October 1916:

Billets in Albert

The day passed quietly, with the men resting as much as possible. Each man had a bath and a clean change of clothing. Late in the evening orders were received that, as expected (see 9^th October), the Battalion transport would move next day by road. It was also notified that a billeting party of one officer and 4 other ranks would proceed next day by train to Buigny L’Abbe.

It seems likely that it was in these now much quieter conditions that officers and men began to write letters to the families of those who had been killed or wounded during the recent actions. Extracts from a number of these would appear in the local press over the coming weeks.

The responsibility for writing a number of letters seems to have fallen to C.Q.M.S. Frank Stephenson (see 30^th July), not only because of the post he held, but also because he had himself been with the Company since its creation and would have known many of the men intimately. It was Stephenson who wrote to the family of Sgt. Arthur Bearpark (see 4^th October): “It is now officially reported that Arthur has been killed. He was gallantly leading his men into action when he was shot down and was buried as well as possible in the circumstances. It came as a great blow to me as he was my right hand man since June 1915 and more like a brother than a friend. When he left me to take up the rank of Sergeant, I spoke to him about staying as my clerk when he would not have had to go over the top, but like all good and true Englishmen, he wanted to get on. He was killed instantaneously and suffered no pain, he was one of the best friends a chap could have”. Two other, unnamed, pals, also wrote, “He was killed along with many more comrades. We cannot find words to express our sympathy as he was well liked by all and we all miss him, both as a soldier and a true friend”. At some later date L.Cpl. John Habishaw (see below) composed an obituary:

He left his home in the flower of youth
He looked so strong and brave
I little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a hero’s grave

I often sit and think of him
And think of how he died
It seemed so hard for us to part
And never say goodbye.

John Habishaw had been one of the other Menston recruits, alongside Bearpark, who had been added to Tunstill’s original volunteers in September 1914. Habishaw had been 19 when enlisting (born 29^th November 1894) and, although born in Preston, had been living in Menston and working, with his father, as a gardener.

It was Stephenson who wrote to the parents of Sgt. Harry Lyddington Mason (see 8^th October); “It is with deep regret that I have to perform the painful duty of informing you that your son Harry was killed in the performance of his duties on Sunday the 8th October, about 8 a.m. It might be little consolation to know that he died instantly without suffering any pain. Harry was one of my greatest friends and most capable of sergeants, also a great favourite with offices and men alike. Sergt. Davis (see 4^th October) wishes me to inform you that he will write as soon as he possibly can. They have had a hard time, and he is not quite himself yet”.

Stephenson had also written to the family of Sgt. John Hartley (see 7^th October), as did 2Lt. Philip Morris (see 7^th September); “Dear Mrs. Hartley, - I believe Q.M.S. Frank Stephenson has already written to you informing you of the death in action of your son, but as his platoon commander, I should also like to assure you and your family of my deepest sympathy in your sorrow. He died a gallant death in an attack on the German trenches, and we were able to recover his body two days later and bury him on the field. In the short time I have been with the platoon I have found him to be a very good N.C.O., always cheerful and willing, and the Army has lost a good Officer, as I understand he was awaiting a commission. Once again let me assure you of my sympathy”. CSM Billy Oldfield (see 4^th October) also wrote, “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hartley and Minnie, - It almost breaks my heart to have to convey to you the sad news of the death in action of your son, John. In the first place we had to report him as missing, but his body has now been found. He fell along with many others of our Company in a charge we made on the enemy lines on the evening of October 4th, 1916, and really it was a wonder how some of us did get back. His body was found alongside that of Mr. Harris, our company commander. It feels cruel to me to have to write this but I should consider I had failed in my promise to one of the best of friends had I not done so. I saw him a minute before we went over the top of the trench, and he said, "Write and give my love to all at home if anything happens to me." I replied, "All right, John, cheerio." That was the last I saw of him. He fell leading his men, for his body was found on the German parapet, death being instantaneous, being shot through the head with a bullet. His cousin, Second Lieutenant Snowden (son of Mr. Keighley Snowdon, the novelist) (see 8^th October) was wounded in the same affair. I can imagine what a sad blow it will be to you, and I repeat, it makes my heart ache to be the bearer of such sad news, but it is my duty. As a friend I found him to be one of the best, always true to his promise, never failing in his duties. He was very popular, both amongst Officers, N.C.O.s, and men, and we all mourned deeply the loss of so popular and efficient an N.C.O. We managed to get his body buried decently as possible under the circumstances, and his personal effects will be forwarded on to you in due course. I trust God will sustain and strengthen you in this sad loss of your only son and brother. I trust you will find some consolation in knowing he died a hero's death, fighting for the glorious cause of Freedom. His last thoughts were of home”.

Pte. Ben Butler (see 5^th October) wrote to the father of Pte. Anthony Lofthouse (see 5^th October), “I am extremely sorry to have to break the news to you. Anthony got killed by a shell in a bombing expedition on October 5^th (sic.). I feel very much upset about him. We were good pals, and he was greatly respected by all the lads in the company. I shall miss him very much. I saw him buried and got some of his belongings, so I will see you get them. We have had a rough time of it lately, but are out of the trenches now for a rest."
Pte. George Whitfield (see 8^th October) wrote to the mother of Pte. Edwin Isherwood (see 5^th October); “I am sure I cannot tell you how hard it is for me to write this letter. Your dear son, Edwin, was one of my best pals, and my greatest sympathy is with you in your loss. We made a bombing raid on the Germans one morning. (I cannot tell you the real date, but it was somewhere about the seventh of this month). The Germans sent us back, and we lost a lot of men. Edwin and I got through all right. But when night came we made another charge, but the enemy sent us back a second time. When morning came, I found that poor Edwin had been struck with shrapnel and killed. A pal and myself put him to rest in a nice little grave close to where he fell. I took a ring off his finger which I will give you when I come home. I also got his pay book and a few other things, but those I lost when I was wounded. This happened the day but one after your son was killed when we were on our way up for the third charge, in which we were successful in driving the Germans out. I was injured in the left thigh and just above the knee, but my wounds are going on remarkably well, though the shrapnel bullet is still in my thigh. Hope to see you soon. Your son was one of the six that left with us from Slaidburn, and of the six there is only one left, C.E. Parker (see 23^rd August). Did you know him? He was a gamekeeper from Dunnow. Please accept my sympathy in the loss of your dear son, who was a brave lad, and fought to the last”.

Pte. George Fletcher (see 4^th October) reported news of the fate of Pte. Frederick George Carlton to his mother (see 4^th October); “I am very sorry that it falls to my lot to be the bearer of evil tidings. I am in the same platoon as your son Fred was in. We have been in plenty of scrapping lately. The other day we made a raid on a German trench. We had several casualties, killed, wounded and missing. Your son, Fred, I am sorry to say, was among those missing. None of the lads saw him after we went over, so we cannot say whether he was taken prisoner of war, or whether he was killed or not. We, his mates, send you all our deepest sympathy, and we hope that you, like we are doing, will hope for the best and hope that he is safe. We are all sorry to lose him for he was a good lad, and wherever he may be we must trust in God and hope for the best, and may God's will be done. I have a Bible which Fred picked up out here, and he used to read it very often. I will look after it and if ever I am spared to get home on leave I will let you have it. I live in Keighley and am drummer in the West Riding Regiment. I remain, with deepest sympathy, yours sincerely”.

An unidentified man wrote to the family of Pte. Edgar Whitaker (see 4^th October); “It is my painful and sorrowful duty to write and inform you of Edgar's death. He was killed by a German bomb on October 4th. I saw him just an hour before, though not to speak to, and he looked splendid, so cheerful and happy. He was a real soldier and died the death of a hero, doing his duty bravely and fearing nothing."

Pte. Frank Peel died of wounds received during the recent actions; he was buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen. Peel had been the sole survivor from a party who had been spotted by the Germans in No-Man’s Land in January (see 13^th January), as a result of which 2Lt. Samuel Lawrence Glover (see 8^th September) and two other men had been killed.
Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 7^th October) who had left the Battalion three days earlier, “complaining of exhaustion and loss of nerve” was admitted to no.8 General Hospital, Rouen, diagnosed as suffering from, “slight neurasthenia” (shellshock).

At some point late in the day, Pte. Richard Butler, who had been reported absent from the Regimental Depot at Halifax the previous day, returned to duty (see 9^th October).

As concern grew over the fate of Adelaide Benson, sister of the late Pte. Fred Benson (see 8^th October), extensive searches of the local area were carried out by a team of local men, despite the weather being ‘extremely wild’. No trace of Adelaide was found. After no trace of her was found, it was decided on Wednesday to drain the Malsis Hall reservoir. Being some fourteen feet deep it would take more than 36 hours for the reservoir to empty

Eastern Front:

Russia: Tsar’s order officially ends Brusilov Offensive.

Transylvania: Averescu takes over 2^nd Army which halts in Predeal Pass (south of Kronstadt).

Southern Front:

Macedonia: General Otto van Below made Army Group Commander for Macedonia; headquarters at Uskub – Skopje, to stiffen Bulgars, requests reinforcements; 6 battalions and 48 guns sent from Western & Eastern fronts. Formed into Division by Hippel by mid-November. Another 6 battalions follow from Western Front.

Isonzo: Italians attack at 1450 hours in pouring rain, capturing 5,034 PoW in Austrian first line; Hills 86 & 95, Mt Sober (east of Gorizia), Nova Vas village and Hill 144 (Carso). (Futurist architect Antonio Sant’Ella killed, aged 28.)

Italians clear whole plateau on Mt Cormagnon.

Struma: Seres railway cut by British, enemy fall back to hills.

Trentino: Enemy thrust back from northern slopes of Mt Pasubio.

African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

Mesopotamia: New CinC India Monro (appointed Oct 1^st) at Basra, visits Tigris Front, cables GIGS (Oct 19^th) that forward positions easy to maintain.

Arabia: Feisal’s 7,000 arabs retreat south west from Bir Abbas to Hamra before Turk advance from Medina (actually just 80 camel men!)

Sheikh Ahmed es Senussi leaves Baharia Oasis for Siwa.

Naval Operations:

Shipping Losses: 3

Neutrals:

Greece: Allied ultimatum for Greek fleet surrender by noon (Oct 11^th) plus all but 3 coast batteries and Piraeus-Larissa railway, accepted on Oct 11^th.

Anniversary Events:

19		Germanicus, the best loved of Roman princes, dies of poisoning. On his deathbed he accuses Piso, the governor of Syria, of poisoning him.
732		At Tours, France, Charles Martel kills Abd el-Rahman and halts the Muslim invasion of Europe.
1733		France declares war on Austria over the question of Polish succession.
1789		In Versailles France, Joseph Guillotin says the most humane way of carrying out a death sentence is decapitation by a single blow of a blade.
1794		Russian General Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov crushes the rebel Polish army at Maciejowice, Poland.
1845		The U.S. Naval Academy is founded at Annapolis, Md.
1863		The first telegraph line to Denver is completed.
1877		Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer is buried at West Point in New York.
1911		Revolution in China begins with a bomb explosion and the discovery of revolutionary headquarters in Hankow. The revolutionary movement spread rapidly through west and southern China, forcing the abdication of the last Ch'ing emperor, six-year-old Henry Pu-Yi. By October 26, the Chinese Republic will be proclaimed, and on December 4, Premier Yuan Shih-K'ai will sign a truce with rebel general Li Yuan-hung.
1911		The Panama Canal opens.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

I now pass over the baton, sorry, typewriter and ribbons to Chris(Hedeby).

[Mike George]

Thanks for the good read.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

For the first time in its over two years history heavy bombing over the Newspaper offices prevented the last nights edition going to press.
No member of the editorial staff was injured seriously but the Printing Press was rendered out of action for the present.

Members of the intrepid Editorial staff rescuing the typeset from the bombing.



With apologies to all our subscribers from Kaiser Bill.
Kyte.

[Hedeby]

Enemy bombing knocked out internet access, router gaffer taped together and we are back on line... double edition coming shortly

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Looks more like the WinCos gin supply than the typeset!

[Hedeby]

I blame the Quisling saboteurs working for BT myself

[Hedeby]

The infiltrators have been removed from the building, I did see an angry looking Squadron Leader Skafloc, six men and a bunch of rifles disappear to the car park with the aforementioned BT men, he assures me there will not be a repeat interruption.. I wonder what he means? anyway on with the war in what is the first of a two parter on for the 11th and one for the 12th October 1916.

11th October 1916

There were no reported RFC losses on this day despite clear skies and a handful of aces claiming victories here and there... we have one for the newly formed Luftstreitkr.... well the Germans, and two for the Italian Air Service.

Weather was unfavourable for observation. Hostile aircraft displayed little activity. A few indecisive combats were recorded.

The single casualty on this date was Lt G Wadden (Pow), 13 Sqn RFC, BE2c 2513 - missing on special mission Douai aerodrome. This was a presentation machine with the name Bandhawa.

Night-bombing raids by 13 Sqn were carried out at about 11.30 pm on the night of 10/11 October, Capt G O Brunwin-Hales dropping a dozen 20-lb bombs upon a train in Vitry Station and Capt Sheridan dropping ten 20-lb bombs on the aerodrome at Douai and the rest on a column of infantry on the Gavrelle - Fresnes road. Wadden failed to return from this enterprise.

Well in one of those glorious fog of war moments we have Oberleutnant Fritz Otto Bernert - now one source has his third kill as the 11th September 1916, whilst another has 11th October 1916. He was flying a Halberstadt D for Jasta 4 when he shot down a Nieuport over Allennes.



Tenente Luigi Olivi claims his second kill flying a Nieuport 11 for Squadriglia 76a

Olivi was born in Campobasso on 18 November 1894. He lived in Ancona prewar. He joined the Italian military before Italy entered World War I. On 31 March 1914, he was promoted to Caporal. He was promoted again, to Sergente, on 31 July 1914, and sent off to aviation school at Aviano to train on Bleriots. He received his pilot's license on 16 June 1915. On 25 October 1915, he was injured in an accident at Malpensa while flying a Macchi Parasol. His original flying duty was artillery observation for 2a Squadriglia (later redubbed 42a Squadriglia. He then transitioned to Nieuports, training at Cascina Costa, and was assigned to 76a Squadriglia on 25 July 1916. Between 8 October 1916 and 17 June 1917, he scored six confirmed victories, including one shared with Mario Stoppani; he also had an unconfirmed claim. After his final victory, Olivi returned to take aerial photos of his final victim, and was killed in action. (There is a lesson here I think for all of us - DON'T GLOAT !) Luigi Olivi had flown 217 hours on 180 combat sorties. In 48 aerial combats, he had claimed eight aerial victories, six of which were confirmed. He had been recognized with two awards of the Silver Medal for Military Valor.



Claiming his 4th Kill today and also representing the Italian Air Service we have Sergente Mario Stoppani this kill was in fact shared with Luigi Olivi (see above)



Sergente Mario Stoppani (24 May 1895 – 20 September 1959) was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. His valor earned him two Silver awards of the Medal for Military Valor and the Russian Cross of St. George during the World War I. After the war, after a short spell as an aviation instructor, in 1927 Stoppani began a long career as a test pilot and an extensive career setting aeronautical records. He would continue as a test pilot throughout World War II and beyond. While associated with aeronautical designer Filippo Zappata, Stoppani would make 15 first flights and set 41 aeronautical records, one of which still stands. In the course of these feats, Stoppani earned both a Silver and a Gold Medal for Aeronautical Valor. Post World War II, he worked for Breda and SIAI Marchetti.

On this day we lost 551 men.

The Eastern Ontario Regiment is ordered forward to secure the newly captured Regina Trench which was still under heavy enemy artillery fire. Sergeant Leo Clarke VC is crouching in a hole at the rear of a trench when a shell explodes and the back of the trench caves in, burying him. His brother digs him out, but Clarke is paralyzed; the weight of the earth having crushed his back and injured his spine. Clarke is taken to No. 1 General Hospital, but he will die in eight days.



Regina Trench (Staufen Riegel) was a German trench dug along the north-facing slope of a ridge running from north-west of the village of Le Sars, south-westwards to Stuff Redoubt (Staufenfeste), close to the German fortifications at Thiepval on the Somme battlefield. It was the longest such trench on the German front during the First World War. Attacked several times by the Canadian Corps during the Battle of the Ancre Heights, the 5th Canadian Brigade briefly controlled a section of the trench on 1 October but was repulsed by counter-attacks of the German Marine Brigade (equivalent to an army division), which had been brought from the Belgian coast. An attack on 8 October, by the 1st Canadian Division and the 3rd Canadian Division on Regina Trench also failed.

On 21 October, the 4th Canadian Division attacked the western portion of Regina Trench, as the 18th Division, 25th Division and the 39th Division of II Corps, attacked the part further west (known as Stuff Trench to the British). The Canadians met little opposition and gained the objective, as the II Corps divisions captured Stuff Trench in thirty minutes, giving the British control of the Thiepval Ridge. Three counter-attacks were repulsed by the Canadians and by 22 October, more than a thousand Germans had been taken prisoner. The east end of the trench was captured by the 4th Canadian Division during the night of 10/11 November.

The 1st Canadian Division attacked on 8 October at 4:50 a.m. in cold rain. The 1st Brigade on the right with two battalions, took the front trench of the Le Sars line from Dyke Road to 400 yards (370 m) beyond the Quadrilateral, then repulsed a counter-attack with artillery-fire. As the Canadians reorganized before resuming the attack on the Quadrilateral, a heavy German bombardment fell in the area and a counter-attack began from two directions. After hours of costly fighting the Canadians withdrew to their jumping-off trenches when they ran out of bombs. The Canadians had suffered 770 casualties out of 1,100 men and taken 240 prisoners. After dark, a trench was dug on the right to link with the 23rd Division. The right-hand battalion of the 3rd Canadian Brigade was delayed by uncut wire but forced its way through and took part of Regina Trench on its right flank. The left-hand battalion was stopped in front of the trench with many casualties and the brigade withdrew at nightfall. A few troops of the right-flank battalion of the 9th Canadian Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division, got into Regina Trench through some German sally-ports but were overwhelmed. The left-hand battalion reached Regina Trench at the junction with Courcelette Trench but was then forced back. Part of the 7th Canadian Brigade reached Regina Trench, began to bomb westwards and also worked up the West Miraumont road but was eventually forced back by German counter-attacks. The left hand battalion was obstructed by new German barbed wire covered by machine-guns and was not able to advance up Kenora Trench. Relief of the Canadian Corps began on 10 October.

Losses in the 2nd Canadian Division 1 September – 4 October were 6,530 men. Casualties of the 3rd Canadian Division from 27 September – 14 October were 2,969. The 18th Division lost 3,344 casualties from 26 September – 5 October. Canadian Corps casualties on 8 October were 1,364 men. When the Canadian Corps was relieved, its casualties during the Battle of the Somme were 24,029 men, roughly 24 percent of the force.



Regina Trench Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, situated astride the location of the trench, containing 2,279 burials and commemorations of men killed at or near the trench line during the First World War. 1,680 of the men are identified as British, 564 Canadian, 35 Australian, one American airman and there are 1,077 burials of unknown soldiers, with special memorials to 14 casualties believed to be buried among them. Most of the men buried at Regina Trench fell in battle between October 1916 and February 1917. The original portion of the cemetery (Plot II, Rows A to D) was established during the winter of 1916–1917. After the armistice in 1918, the Regina Trench location was selected as a "concentration cemetery" with mortal remains brought in from scattered graves and small battlefield cemeteries around Courcelette, Grandcourt and Miraumont. Unlike many CWGC cemeteries, where men are laid one-to-a-grave, many of the graves contain more than one burial and where two names are shown on the one headstone, it is necessary to count the individual names to find the correct grave location. The CWGC website states that Regina Trench Cemetery is located in Grandcourt but this is somewhat misleading, because while it is located between Grandcourt and Courcelette, it is most easily reached by a rough road that runs approximately 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) north-west of Courcelette village.

Tunstill's Men : On a fine morning the whole Brigade was inspected by General Sir Henry Rawlinson, commanding Fourth Army. As previously arranged the Battalion transport departed from Albert. Orders were then received for the Battalion to leave Albert by train next day for Longpre; on arrival there they would proceed to Yvrench, via Buigny L’Abbe. Capt. James Christopher Bull (see 9th October), who had left the Battalion in September, suffering from paratyphoid, sailed overnight from Le Havre to Southampton aboard the hospital ship Asturias, for further medical treatment. On arrival he would be admitted to Reading War Hospital.

African Fronts
East Africa: 1/2nd KAR defeat c.76 Germans in Kilwa, push to Fort Kibata (seized October 14).

Eastern Front
Transylvania – First Battle of Oituz (until October 27): Rumanian Fourth Army (Prezan) eventually halts Arz’s Austro-Germans on border (until October 22).

Sea War
Greece – Greek Fleet disarmed: 2 battleships and armoured cruiser Averatt stripped of shells and breech blocks, crews reduced to 1/3. Allies tow cruiser Helle, 19 destroyers and torpedo boats, 2 submarines and 12 auxiliaries to Keratsini. French hoist tricolour on them and occupy Salamis Arsenal (November 7).
North Sea: Norway prohibits belligerent submarines from using her territorial waters. (Ban extended to all foreign submarines on February 1, 1917).

There were three more victories for the German U-boats on this day

Bistritza Romania: The cargo ship was sunk in the Barents Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) north of the coast of Finnmark, Norway by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Crosshill United Kingdom: the cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of Malta (36°11′N 12°53′E) by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Iolo United Kingdom: The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea 153 nautical miles (283 km) north of Vardø, Finnmark (72°50′N 32°00′E) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Southern Front

French carry enemy's first lines west of Gevgeli.
Carso front, Austrian second line attacked.
Italian front carried forward 2,000 yards in direction of Mt. Pecenka, attack on Veliki Hriak.
Decisive fighting in Mt. Pasubio region.
Italian line advanced to foot of Mt. Roite (farther border of Cormagnon).

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Looks more like the WinCos gin supply than the typeset!

Shush! Squadron Leader. Top secret.
Kyte.

[Hedeby]

Anyone else having a nightmare with Windows 10 ??? god I hate Microsoft at times...

[Nightbomber]

Anyone else having a nightmare with Windows 10 ??? god I hate Microsoft at times...

I feel your pain, Chris. To my mind it works much worse and much slower than W7. Crap.

[Hedeby]

October 12th 1916

4 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 12TH 1916

Air Mechanic 2nd. Class Sidney Dumon 42 Squadron RFC - Died of Wounds (burns) 12 October 1916 aged 22. Son of Thomas and Emma Dumon, of 22, Tonbridge Rd., Leeds. Born at Liverpool.

Petty Officer Mechanic WIlliam H. Hodgson RNAS - Royal Naval Air Station Isle of Grain - Drowned in River Medway while observer to Flt Lieut Mostyn Lewis after the aeroplane turned over in the water 12 October 1916. The pilot unsuccessfully tried to save him.

RNAS Kingsnorth was a First World War Royal Navy air station for airships, initially operating as an experimental and training station, it later moved on to large scale production of airships. It also provided anti-submarine patrols. A number of experimental and prototype blimps were designed and constructed there. It was located at the south eastern coast of the Hoo Peninsula in Kent. In July 1914 the Royal Navy reformed its air branch, naming it the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). and took over the base and its development and training functions. Two huge Airship sheds had been built. After the base was decommissioned, the sheds were dismantled during the 1920s. On 1 April 1918 the Royal Flying Corps and the RNAS combined to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the station became known as RAF Kingsnorth, eventually closing in 1925. The site is now occupied by Kingsnorth Power Station



Lieutenant Leonard Cameron Kidd 3 Squadron RFC - Killed in action 12th October 1916. No Known Grave listed on Arras Memorial, France. Son of Dr. Cameron Kidd and Clara Louisa Kidd, of New Rd., Bromsgrove, Worcs.

Lieutenant James Aitchison Stewart 21 Squadron RFC - He flew BE12 6564 but died of his wounds on this day in 1916

Aces claiming victories on this day include...

Marechal-des-Logis Jean Pierre Marie Joseph de Gaillard de la Valden of the French Air Service - claims his third kill whilst flying a Moraine for MF123 by downing an enemy aircraft over Odendorf.



Claiming his second kill, some time after his first, we have the one and only Ernst Udet Flying as part of Jasta 15 he show down a Bréguet-Michelin over Rustenhart - his first victory since march. His third would not arrive before December and he would not begin to start scoring regularly until August of 1917.



Leutnant Ludwig Hanstein claims his first victory by shooting down a Sopwith Strutter (number 9660) in the vicinity of Freiburg-Bresgau.



Leutnant Ludwig Hanstein HOH, Bavaria's MMO was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. Hanstein rose through the enlisted ranks to become a Leutnant in command of a fighter squadron. Rather unusually, this Prussian usually served in Bavarian units; he rose to command of Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 35. After shooting down 16 enemy aircraft, including three observation balloons, Hanstein was killed in aerial combat on 21 March 1918. Ludwig Hanstein was born on 20 January 1892 in Sudwalde, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire. His life and military service are unknown until he began aviation service in early 1916. In May 1916, he was posted to a Bavarian unit, Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 9. While repelling a British strategic bombing raid on 12 October 1916, he used a Fokker D.II fighter plane to force down a RNAS Sopwith 1½ Strutter onto Freiburg Airfield[4] by wounding its pilot through the neck.

Taking a transfer as a Vizefeldwebel on 31 October 1916,Hanstein shifted to Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16, whose theater of operations was generally the French sector of the Western Front.Hanstein scored again on 17 March 1917; by 25 September, he had added nine more to his tally to become Jasta 16's first ace.On that same day, having been commissioned a Leutnant, he was posted to command of Jagdstaffel 35. On 17 October 1917, Hanstein received Bavaria's Military Merit Order Fourth Class with Swords. Hanstein scored his thirteenth victory on 12 November 1917, and scored twice more in January 1918. On 20 January 1918, he received the Knight's Cross with Swords of the House Order of Hohenzollern. He also temporarily relinquished command to Bruno Justinius on 20 January and went on leave. On 14 February 1918, while on leave, Hanstein received an award of the Military Merit Order, this time with Crown and Swords. He succeeded again to command of the jasta on 4 March 1918, after Justinius was killed in action and his successor transferred. About ten minutes after scoring his final victory on 21 March 1918, Hanstein was killed in action by Herbert Sellars and his aerial observer Charles C. Robson. Sellars' combat report stated, "I did a sharp turn to the left, my observer firing at 75 yards range into the nearest enemy aircraft, which burst into flames and was seen to crash north of Moriches.

Leutnant Kurt Haber claims his sixth and final victory on this day - A Sopwith Strutter over Oberndorf. On 20 December 1916, Haber was killed in action when he was shot down in flames, probably by Charles Nungesser.

This day also saw the FIRST EVER AMERICAN ACE - a feat achieved in the Oberndorf raid by Major Gervais Raoul Lufbery



One hundred years ago today, an American fighter pilot was credited with his fifth aerial victory, to become the first American to earn the title of “ace.” But Gervais Raoul Lufbery was not flying for the U.S. military, which had yet to become involved in World War I. He scored this milestone flying with French and British airmen during a bombing raid in Germany that became one of the epic air battles of the year—and one in which a number of heroes, French, British, German and American, would make their mark.

On Oct. 12, 1916, French Capt. Maurice Happe, a pioneer of strategic bombing, launched a joint Allied attack on the Mauser arms factory at Oberndorf-am-Neckar. He was leading Groupe de Bombardment 4, comprised of three squadrons, or escadrilles: F.29, F.123 and BM.120. The Farman 40 and 42 bombers of F.123 were escorted by British-built Sopwith 1½-Strutter two-seaters. Also participating were two flights each of single-seat Sopwith bombers from 3 Wing, Royal Naval Air Service, escorted by seven Sopwith two-seaters. Leading the British contingent was Wing Cmdr. Richard Bell-Davies, who had received the Victoria Cross for rescuing a downed comrade in Bulgaria on Nov. 19, 1915. Escort for the Breguet-Michelin IV pushers of BM.120 was provided by four Nieuport 17s from N.124. Formed in April 1916, N.124 was already famous for its volunteers from a still-neutral United States. It was known as l’Escadrille Américaine. For the raid its French deputy commander, Lt. Alfred de Laage de Meux, led Adjutants Norman Prince, Didier Masson and Lufbery. Prince, a founding father of the escadrille, had already been credited with three victories.

Lufbery, born in France to a French mother and an American father he never met, lived a peripatetic, adventurous life that included a hitch in the U.S. Army in the Philippines and a job as mechanic to French aviator Marc Pourpe. Masson, French-born but later an American citizen, was a prewar aviator who in 1913 flew a Martin pusher for Mexican Colonel Alvaro Obregón before doing his second stint as a mercenary flyboy with N.124. Oberndorf was 108 miles from N.124’s aerodrome at Luxeuil-les-Bains and the bombers would be aloft for five hours, more than double the Nieuports’ range, so the four fighters had to fly ahead and land at an advance airfield at Corcieux to refuel before proceeding to the target. After a delay due to dense cloud cover over the Black Forest, the first six Farmans of F.29 took off, followed by the bombers of F.123 and BM.120. Four Farmans soon turned back with mechanical problems and a fifth, struck by anti-aircraft fire, was forced to land in Allied territory in the Vosges Mountains. The British suffered similar losses at the onset, with four Sopwiths turning back with engine trouble and a fifth crashing at Faucogney 25 minutes after takeoff.

Ahead lay the German aerodrome at Colmar-Nord, from which Royal Bavarian Feldfliegerabteilung (Flying Detachment) 9 – or Fl.Abt. 9b – operated six Ago C. I two-seat, twin-boom pusher biplanes, with a small fighter component based to the south. Farther south, at Habsheim, was another flying detachment and a unit equipped with Fokker E.III and D.II fighters, of Jasta 15. At 3:04 p.m., the operations room at Colmar received a telephone call that five enemy planes were flying east. Suspecting its own aerodrome to be the target, Fl.Abt. 9b scrambled all of its planes, including three Fokker D.IIs flown by Lt. Otto Kissenberth and senior NCOs Ludwig Hanstein and Ludwig Hilz. The four Farmans of F.29, at the head of the aerial procession, surprised the German defenses, dropped their bombs on Oberndorf unopposed, and returned to Luxeuil safely, with one of its crews claiming a Fokker over the target area. But as F.123’s three Farmans approached Colmar, they were stalked by German Fokkers. Kissenberth was first to score, sending the lead Farman down in the woods, where its exploding bombs created a funeral pyre for its crew. Kissenberth then shot down a second Farman before landing to phone in his first report.

Ahead lay the German aerodrome at Colmar-Nord, from which Royal Bavarian Feldfliegerabteilung (Flying Detachment) 9 – or Fl.Abt. 9b – operated six Ago C. I two-seat, twin-boom pusher biplanes, with a small fighter component based to the south. Farther south, at Habsheim, was another flying detachment and a unit equipped with Fokker E.III and D.II fighters, of Jasta 15. At 3:04 p.m., the operations room at Colmar received a telephone call that five enemy planes were flying east. Suspecting its own aerodrome to be the target, Fl.Abt. 9b scrambled all of its planes, including three Fokker D.IIs flown by Lt. Otto Kissenberth and senior NCOs Ludwig Hanstein and Ludwig Hilz. The four Farmans of F.29, at the head of the aerial procession, surprised the German defenses, dropped their bombs on Oberndorf unopposed, and returned to Luxeuil safely, with one of its crews claiming a Fokker over the target area. But as F.123’s three Farmans approached Colmar, they were stalked by German Fokkers. Kissenberth was first to score, sending the lead Farman down in the woods, where its exploding bombs created a funeral pyre for its crew. Kissenberth then shot down a second Farman before landing to phone in his first report. Having failed to intercept F.29 and F.123, three of Fl.Abt.9b’s Ago C.Is turned west and were making a wide turn near Rosskopf when they ran right into BM.120. The German commander, Lt. Walter Kiliani, and his pilot, Lt. Hans Hartl, joined a Jasta 15 pilot, Lt. Otto Pfälzer, in forcing down a Breguet near Bremgarten. Upon landing nearby, Kiliani was warned off by the French crewmen, who had already set their plane on fire. Shortly afterward, the Breguet’s bombs went off. Hilz, who joined the melee, sent a Breguet down in flames over Umkirch. An Ago C.I engaged another Breguet in a running fight along the length of the Elzacher valley until it ran out of ammunition.

N.124 had hardly been idle during the fight. Didier Masson fired 50 rounds at an Aviatik and then turned on a Fokker, only to see his engine sputter to a halt, his fuel tank punctured. As Masson tried to glide home, the Fokker got on his tail, shooting up his upper wing, fuselage, windscreen and instrument panel. Becoming careless, however, the German came on too fast and zoomed under the Nieuport. Finding the enemy just below his nose, Masson banked, fired and saw the Fokker spin earthward near Neuf Briesach. Resuming his glide, Masson barely cleared the Rhine under enemy infantry fire and his wheels almost snagged the French barbed wire before he landed in a shell hole. Masson scrambled clear of his plane just before German artillery demolished it. Reaching the target area, the four remaining Breguets released their bombs. During the return flight Lufbery was credited with shooting down a Roland C.II over Schlettstadt. De Laage fired at a Fokker that was attacking a Breguet, but was not sure enough of the outcome to request confirmation. Another Breguet, its engine disabled, crashed at the Haslach-Offenburg railway, probably the fifth accredited victory of Lt. Kurt Haber of Jasta 15.

Elsewhere, Davies led 3 Wing’s Breguets through heavy anti-aircraft fire and drove off some desultory German attacks on his tight formation. “We cleared the Black Forest and presently a small town appeared ahead,” Davies reported. “It did not look like Oberndorf, but the bombers seemed quite sure it was. They got into a single line and went down to bomb.”

As the returning British crossed the Rhine Valley at about sunset, Davies saw a Breguet V go down. It had been attacked by an Ago and Kissenberth’s Fokker D.II, who, despite having an interplane strut shot away, got some telling shots into its engine. The Breguet came down near Oberenzen, where the crew was taken prisoner. Kissenberth then landed at Colmar-Nord, to be credited with his third victory for the day. Flak brought another British Breguet down over Buggingen, where its crew was captured. Even after getting clear of their German attackers the Allies were plagued by mishaps. The only F.123 Farman that actually bombed Oberndorf crash-landed in the Vosges, injuring its pilot. The three remaining Breguets of BM.120, unable to find their way in the darkness, landed in some flat country to the northwest. One of 3 Wing’s Breguets crashed at Buc and a Sopwith was wrecked at Corbenay, though their crews emerged unhurt.

By the time N.124 returned to Corcieux, it was so dark that oil fires had to be lit on the field to guide its Nieuports down. Lufbery’s plane bounced to a safe landing, but as Prince followed at a slightly lower altitude, his landing gear caught on a utility cable and crashed, throwing him from the cockpit. Both of his legs were broken and he had suffered internal injuries.

What had been accomplished for the loss of 15 aircraft and 21 airmen? The Allies initially claimed to have dropped four tons of bombs on the Mauser plant and shot down six German aircraft. The Germans reported that 60 bombs fell on or around Oberndorf, killing three people and injuring seven, but that no significant damage was done and work at the Mauser plant was not interrupted. “No German machine was lost,” their report concluded, “and no aeronaut was killed or wounded in the action.” Later intelligence reports confirmed Davies’ suspicions—his six Breguets had bombed Donaueschingen, rather than Oberndorf. After analyzing those results, the French resorted to flying bombing raids at night until better planes became available, while the British bombed by day. That strategy—which would be revived by the British and Americans in World War II—enjoyed more success, but not for long. The British put more value on front-line operations than long-distance bombing, so 3 Wing was reorganized, re-equipped with Sopwith Pup scouts and redesignated No. 3 Squadron, RNAS. Although a failure, the Oberndorf raid was a sprawling air battle by 1916 standards and is all the more remarkable for the noteworthy participants on all sides. Raymond Collishaw, the Canadian, would eventually account for 60 enemy planes in the course of the war.

On the German side, Ludwig Hanstein would serve in Jasta 16 and command Jasta 35b until he was killed in action, shortly after scoring his 16th victory, on March 21, 1918. Kurt Haber’s fifth victory was also his last before transferring to Jasta 3 and being killed over Péronne on Dec. 20, 1916, by S/Lt. Charles Nungesser of N.65. Ernst Udet’s victory was the second of an eventual 62, making him Germany’s second-ranking ace. He went on to further fame as a stunt and test pilot and rose to the rank of Generaloberst in Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe during World War II, but the pressure and politics of his position ultimately drove him to suicide on Nov. 17, 1941. The day’s star performer, Otto Kissenberth, added two Spads and a balloon to his score with Jasta 16. He then commanded Jasta 23b, where he would meet escadrille 124 again, killing Sgt. Douglas MacMonagle on Sept. 24, 1917. He survived the war with 20 victories, only to die in an accident in the Bavarian Alps on Aug. 2, 1919. As for N.124, Oberndorf added more triumph and tragedy to that squadron’s growing legend. Lufbery had “made ace,” the first American pilot to do so. Masson was awarded a Croix de Guerre with palm that acknowledged the outstanding circumstances under which he scored his only confirmed victory. Norman Prince had scored his fourth victory, only to end the mission in a landing accident. He was driven 10 miles to the hospital at Gerardmer, but a blood clot developed in his brain. He died on Oct. 15 at age 29.

In December 1916, l’Escadrille Américaine would get a more emotive moniker, as the Escadrille Lafayette. Raoul Lufbery would be its leading ace with 16 victories before being killed in action on May 19, 1918.



Thursday 12 October 1916 – We Lost 2,174

The 88th Brigade makes an assault from Gueudecourt at 14:05 during the Battle of The Transloy Ridges. All four companies of the 1st Battalion Newfoundland Regiment advance in line with the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment on their left. By 14:30 both battalions have secured their initial objective – “Hilt” Trench in the German front line. As the Newfoundlanders advance to their final objective heavy machine-gun fire from the front and right flank force them back to Hilt Trench. On the left a sharp German counter attck drives the Essex back to the outskirts of Gueudecourt leaving the Newfoundland Regiment with an exposed flank. Bombing parties from the Newfoundland Regiment clear and secure the vacated portion of Hilt Trench and with the Battalion’s line now doubled in length all ranks begin digging in the hard chalk to construct new firing step and parapet opposite the German lines. By late afternoon a German counter-attack develops but determined fire from the Newfoundlanders drives off the enemy with heavy losses. The position is held against further assaults and during the night the arrival of a relieving battalion enables the defenders to hand over the lines and go into reserve. During the 55 hours that Newfoundland Regiment has been in the trenches they has suffered 120 killed and almost as many wounded.

Today's Casualties include...

Major Ernest Frederick Powys Sketchley DSO (General Staff 63rd Royal Naval Division Royal Marine Light Infantry) is killed at age 35. He is the son of the Reverend E P Sketchley.
Major Lionel Kerwood (Worcestershire Regiment attached Cheshire Regiment) is killed in action. His brother was killed in June 1915.
Captain William Du Pre Mansel (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed at age 47. His brother died in the Royal Navy at sea in March 1915. They are sons of the Reverend Owen Luttrell Mansel.
Captain and Adjutant Robert Denzil Patterson (Liverpool Regiment) is killed at age 23. He is a Rosslyn Park Rugby footballer.
Captain Alexander Reid Gibb (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 42. He is a prominent cross country runner winning the Scottish 4 Mile championship in 1900 and gaining his cap for three years in Scottish Athletic International contests.
Captain Maurice Cazalet Harrison (Royal Warwickshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. His brother was killed in September 1914.
Captain Reginald Noel Davis (Duke of Wellington’s Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His widow will die of pneumonia while serving with the French Red Cross in Marseilles in 1918.
Captain MacDonald Warriner Brown (Manchester Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. He is the son of the Reverend F Brown.
Captain Benjamin Eastlake Leader (Royal West Surrey Regiment attached Duke of Wellington’s Regiment) is killed at age 39. He is the son of Royal Academy artist Benjamin Williams Leader and a landscape artist himself and his son will be killed in the Second World War.

Tunstill's men: The plan was for the Battalion to move by two trains from Albert to Longpre and then for the two detachments to immediately march north to Buigny L’Abbe, where they would rendezvous on the evening of 12th. From there, at 9 am on 13th, they were then to march on to Yvrench prior to boarding trains for Ypres. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies, under the command of Major Robert Harwar Gill (see 8th October) were to go by the first train, with ‘C’, ‘D’ and HQ following on the second. However, “it was found that there was a great congestion on the railway and no one seemed to know exactly what was the cause”. As a result the move was to be greatly delayed. The first train did not leave Albert until 7pm and it then took more than twelve hours before it finally completed the thirty-five mile journey to Longpre, arriving just before 8am the following morning. Conditions onboard the second train were much worse still; they would not finally reach Longpre until 2am on 14th October, more than forty-eight hours after leaving their billets in Albert. The men had not been fed during this time as their rations had been taken in advance to Buigny L’Abbe.Lt. **** Bolton (see 5th October), though currently still on leave in England, was promoted Acting Captain, commanding ‘A’ Company. His promotion was part of the raft of changes prompted by the losses at Le Sars.



Air War
Germany: No 3 Wing RNAS, first British strategic bombing unit, flies first major operation from Luxeuil (Vosges) with 21 aircraft (3 lost) against Mauser small-arms factory in Oberndorf; 34 French aircraft (6 lost) participate. German fighters attack at the target and back.

One source claims that Raymond Collishaw claimed his first victory on this raid, but this is disputed by a couple of other more reliable sources, so I will go with those and celebrate that event on the 25th when he opens his account with a double...

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British attack on 4*-mile front Eaucourt-Bapaume, gain 500-1000 yards. French have taken 40,125 PoWs since July 1.

Southern Fronts
Isonzo: Italians push Austrians east of river Vallano. Operations suspended in evening after total of 8,200 PoWs taken in 2*-mile advance for 24,000 casualties.
Salonika: British War Office committee ‘We have had to deal with a specially virulent … malarial infection in a body of troops unseasoned to tropical conditions’ (304 deaths to November 11, 1916.

Neutrals
Greece: Admiral Fournet demands Allied control of police, no Greek citizens to carry arms, no war material to Thessaly, but wheat exports can be resumed.

[Hedeby]

Its nice to be back and thank you Neil for the last couple of weeks.

[Guntruck]

Anyone else having a nightmare with Windows 10 ??? god I hate Microsoft at times...

It was crap at first but since the last upgrade it works fine for me.

[Rebel]

Anyone else having a nightmare with Windows 10 ??? god I hate Microsoft at times...

I downloaded it months ago soon after it first became available. Had nothing but problems from the start and after many emails and chats with Microsoft and many failed attempt to put it right some sensible person at Microsoft suggested I look at my PC's compatibility and see if there was a patch available from the manufacturer.
Yes you guessed it, my PC is not compatible and there is NO patch available and there are no plans to produce one for my model. Damn you ACER.
So I went back to Windows 7 and sanity.

[Hedeby]

Windows permitting, here is today's update...

13th October 1916

The RFC Communique reports - Low clouds all day with wind and occasional rain. In spite of this, some successful work was accomplished by 4 Sqn with registration of siege batteries on 10 trench positions.

3 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 13TH 1916

2nd Lieutenant John Sinclair Morison Killed while flying at Montrose 13 October 1916 aged 19. Son of John and Amelia Nisbet Morison, of 25, Talbot Rd., Highgate, London. Born in London.



Air Mechanic James Munro of the Australian Air Service : Died of throat abscess in American Hospital at Adana, Tarsus Asia as a Prisoner of War in Turkish Hands 13 October 1916 aged 23. James Munro was unfortunate to be captured by the Turks while acting as an Air Mechanic in support of British forces near Baghdad; his fate remains somewhat clouded;Although conditions in German prisoner-of-war camps were generally good until 1918 when the Allied blockade of shipping resulted in major foos shortages, their Turkish equivalent were rather less so.Munro (along with another local, William Henry Lord) was one of a group of nine Australian Air Mechanics sent to Kut Al Amara in Mesopotamia in early 1916 to support a British Army force protecting the rich oilfields south of Baghdad. The Ottoman Army surrounded the town and after a siege of 147 days,the British on 29 April 1916 surrendered their force of around 13,000 men to be made prisoners. Estimates suggest 70% of the British and 50% of the Indian troops died of disease or at the hands of the Ottoman guards during captivity. Just two of the nine Australian mechanics survived, and the reality is that little is certain of Munro’s fate – the date of death is approximate, and there is some belief he may have died in an American hospital attached to the camp at Adama.

2nd Lieutenant Fenton Ellis Stanley Phillips 3 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day in 1916. His plane (a Moraine) hit by ground fire from Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 16 and crashing in front of their position in fire and smoke.

There was only one claimed aerial victory on this day - and that was unconfirmed...

Linienschiffsleutnant Gottfried Freiherr von Banfield of the Austro Hungarian Air Service had an unconfirmed kill relating to a Nieuport scout, this was his sixth unconfirmed kill to go alongside nine confirmed kills.



On this day we lost 476 men...

Second Lieutenant Humphrey Neville ****inson (Royal West Kent Regiment) dies of wounds received six days earlier at age 34. He devoted himself to literary and political work. He threw himself earnestly into the cause of Tariff Reform and wrote regularly for the World’s Work and other papers, was at one time Secretary of the Compatriots Club. Among his novels are “Things that are Caesar’s”, “Keddy” which an article in the Observer called the ‘the best, perhaps the only, novel on Oxford’ and “The Business of a Gentleman.”



Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Captain Thomas Heyliger Hudson (Berkshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His brother will be killed in July next year and they are sons of the Reverend Thomas William Hudson Rector of Gt Shefford.
Captain Thomas Hope Formby (Cambridgeshire Regiment) is killed at age 27. He is the son of the Reverend Christopher Hope Formby.
Second Lieutenant Percy Albert Drake (Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother was killed last July.
RSM Alfred Keith Scott DCM (Cameron Highlanders) is killed at age 25. His brother was killed last January.
Private James Sanders (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. He is a famous Rugby Football Player who had made his mark when only 13 years old he represented Wales in the schoolboy’s match against England in 1902. By the age of 15 he was playing rugby professionally and at age 19 was playing for the Leeds Rugby Football Club where he helped them reach the challenge cup final against Hull.
Rifleman Albert Nunn (Rifle Brigade) is killed at age 37. His brother will be killed in November 1917

Tunstill's Men: he original plan had been for the Battalion, having arrived at Buigny L’Abbe the previous evening, to march off for Yvrench at 9am. However, the first of two trains, carrying ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies, had not arrived at Longpre after the overnight journey until just before 8am. Moreover, the second train, with ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies and Battalion HQ, was subject to even greater delays and would not finally reach Longpre until 2am on 14th, more than forty-eight hours after leaving their billets in Albert. Pte. Percy Hodgson (see 4th October), who had been severely wounded at Le Sars, died at no.2 General Hospital, Rouen; he was buried at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.



William Kirkpatrick, estate foreman of the Malsis Hall estate, on checking the now drained reservoir, discovered the body of Adelaide Benson, who had been missing since 8th October. She was the sister of Pte. Fred Benson who had been killed in action on 11th July (see 11th October). The same day’s edition of the Craven Herald had reported extensively on the disappearance and a stop press item confirmed news of the discovery of her body.

COWLING GIRL'S DISAPPEARANCE - PARTIES SEARCH THE MOORS
A young lady, named Adelaide Benson, aged 28, of 199, Keighley Road, Cowling, has disappeared from her home and has been missing since Sunday. It is stated that she had been rather depressed lately, especially since the news of her brother's death in action was received in July. On Sunday morning she asked her mother to go with her to see some friends at Farnhill. The mother did not feel inclined to go and asked her daughter to call for her companion and take a walk with her. The young lady did not go for her companion, but was seen near the Crag. Search parties on Tuesday were scouring the district. The young lady has rather a fair complexion, and was wearing a white wool wrap round her head and a brown raincoat. Enquiries have been made both at Farnhill and Haworth, where relatives of the girl reside, but without any news being obtained. On Tuesday, although the weather was so extremely wild, ten men from the village scoured the moors and various places in the district, but without result. Miss Benson was a well respected young lady, and naturally her relatives and friends are most anxious to learn of her whereabouts. For some time she has suffered from insomnia. The police have now the matter in hand. Up to a late hour last night nothing had been heard of the missing young woman.

STOP PRESS - THE COWLING MYSTERY
Early this morning as the result of dragging operations by the police, the body of Miss Adelaide Benson, the Cowling young lady who has been missing since Sunday last, was found in the reservoir connected with Malsis Hall, near Cowling Crag.


Private Fred Benson

A LIVELY NARRATIVE FROM THE FRONT

Sergeant N. Roberts, son of Mr. Edwin Roberts, of 3 Upper Street, Skipton, has been awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant services rendered in the field on Sept. 20th. On that date five men of his, in charge of a Lewis gun, were buried by a shell. Sergeant Roberts, assisted by Second Lieutenant M.O. Tribe, dug them out in the open under heavy fire. By this act the lives of the men were saved, but had they waited for a lull in the enemy’s shell fire the five men would undoubtedly been lost.

Judging by the following letter which he has written to his father, Sergt. Roberts is evidently a bit of a humourist. He says: “I have been awarded the Military Medal, the ribbon of which the General pinned on my tunic on Friday afternoon. A day or two ago, I, along with a comrade, had a very remarkable excape. A huge shell came over and made a crater on the other side of us. Of course, we were partly buried and what a feeling we had! By the time you receive this I expect we shall have been through ‘the mill’ again, for the ‘heads’ don’t mean to let Fritz rest. I haven’t seen a ‘tank’ yet, but I am sure to do so before long. I have seen plenty of air duels, but most of them were when we came out here at first. On one occasion our men forced one of their machines to descend behind our lines. A few of our chaps made a rush for him (the machine) but Fritz turned on his machine gun and then some more Tommies turned up with rifles and the game of life was over for those two (the two Germans). Now of course they (the Germans) are licked in the air. I reckon most of the pictures you saw were ‘made up’, but a few days ago I saw a camera man out here in the trenches. He ‘took’ some of our Battalion whilst they were carrying bombs up to the line. I am really writing under difficulties as I cannot stand up or sit down in my present abode, and my supply of candles has run out. The weather has been variable of late; one day it rains like …… and the next perhaps the grateful sun comes out and smiles and dries out clothes. A Jack knife is the chief implement used to get the mud off one’s clothes and of course Tommy spends many an hour examining his shirt – probably to find the maker’s name. Fritz is a lazy …. and they look it, most of them. It would never do for parents to see their boys after a day or two in the front line trenches, especially after it has been wet and they have been bumped about a bit. I am glad you are still an optimist, for I think this war will not be won by an assault of arms. We are no doubt licking them, but at what a price! I think the war will go on for another winter”.


Sergeant Norman Roberts

The gallant soldier enlisted in September 1914 and went out to France over twelve months ago. He has been slightly wounded on no less than four occasions. Prior to the war he was a member of the West Riding Constabulary, stationed at Hellifield, and previous to joining the police force he was a warpdresser in the employ of Mr. W.R.G. Farey of Skipton.

Western Front

Intense German gunfire continues on the 33e Division targeting the heavy guns near to Belleville. German shells of all calibre used in direct response to the French bombardment, with sectors and tracks int held by 130e and 63e Divisions also hit hard. From 3 O'Clock rear pistions: the forts of Regret, Chaume, Baleycourt, Landrecourt and Belrupt were all German targets.



Eastern Front
Transylvania: Rumanian Second Army checks pursuers in Predeal (town falls) and Badza Passes, but Falkenhayn advances through Torzburg Pass to Rucar 6 miles inside Rumania. Rumanians forced from Transylvania except in northeast. Germans also enter gap between Rumanian Fourth Army and Lechitski.
Hungary*: Archduke Charles opens HQ at Grosswardein.

Home Fronts
Russia: Worst month for strikes, 189 (177 political) involve 189,776 strikers.
Germany: 30,101 British PoWs.
Britain: 39,020 German PoWs

Southern Front

British forces pushing forward on Struma front.

Successful British raids on Doiran front.

Fighting in Carso continues.

Political, etc.

Norway prohibits belligerent submarines from using her territorial waters.

[Hedeby]

One postscript to the days action - a certain American officer is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

One Omar Nelson Bradley



General of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 – April 8, 1981), nicknamed Brad, was a highly distinguished senior officer of the United States Army who saw distinguished service in North Africa and Western Europe during World War II, and later became General of the Army. From the Normandy landings of June 6, 1944 through to the end of the war in Europe, Bradley had command of all U.S. ground forces invading Germany from the west; he ultimately commanded forty-three divisions and 1.3 million men, the largest body of American soldiers ever to serve under a single U.S. field commander. After the war, Bradley headed the Veterans Administration and became Army Chief of Staff. In 1949, Bradley was appointed the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the following year oversaw the policy-making for the Korean War, before retiring from active service in 1953. Bradley was the last of only nine people to hold a five-star rank in the United States Armed Forces. However his full story will be told elsewhere and at another time.

[Mike George]

Thanks for the good read, wish I could give you more like reputation points but. You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Hedeby again.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

A very interesting postscript indeed Chris. We often forget how many of tomorrows great men were cutting their teeth during WWI.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

950 Years ago today

Just a quick edition to focus on events a little further back in time - on this day October 14th 1066 we have one of the most iconic battles in all of history, and NO I shall not be referring to it as that small coastal town- of course we are talking about the Battle of Senlac Hill (or Senlac Ridge)

More than just a battle it changed English society, changed the way in which English politics worked, changes in architecture, the introduction of castles, the language we speak today is a result of 1066, that mixture of Old English and French.

Because many of the primary accounts contradict each other at times, it is impossible to provide a description of the battle that is beyond dispute. The only undisputed facts are that the fighting began at 9 am on Saturday 14 October 1066 and that the battle lasted until dusk. Sunset on the day of the battle was at 4:54 pm, with the battlefield mostly dark by 5:54 pm and in full darkness by 6:24 pm. Moonrise that night was not until 11:12 pm, so once the sun set, there was little light on the battlefield. William of Jumieges reports that Duke William kept his army armed and ready against a surprise night attack for the entire night before. The battle took place 7 miles (11 km) north of Hastings at the present-day town of Battle, between two hills – Caldbec Hill to the north and Telham Hill to the south. The area was heavily wooded, with a marsh nearby. The name traditionally given to the battle is unusual – there were several settlements much closer to the battlefield than Hastings. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle called it the battle "at the hoary apple tree". Within 40 years, the battle was described by the Anglo-Norman chronicler Orderic Vitalis as "Senlac", a Norman-French adaptation of the Old English word "Sandlacu", which means "sandy water".This may have been the name of the stream that crosses the battlefield. The battle was already being referred to as "bellum Hasestingas" or "Battle of Hastings" by 1087, in the Domesday Book.

Sunrise was at 6:48 am that morning, and reports of the day record that it was unusually bright.The weather conditions are not recorded. The route that the English army took to the battlefield is not known precisely. Several roads are possible: one, an old Roman road that ran from Rochester to Hastings has long been favoured because of a large coin hoard found nearby in 1876. Another possibility is a Roman road between London and Lewes and then over local tracks to the battlefield. Some accounts of the battle indicate that the Normans advanced from Hastings to the battlefield, but the contemporary account of William of Jumieges places the Normans at the site of the battle the night before. Most historians incline towards the former view.

Harold's forces deployed in a small, dense formation at the top of steep slope, with their flanks protected by woods and marshy ground in front of them. The line may have extended far enough to be anchored on a nearby stream. The English formed a shield wall, with the front ranks holding their shields close together or even overlapping to provide protection from attack. Sources differ on the exact site that the English fought on: some sources state the site of the abbey, but some newer sources suggest it was Caldbec Hill.

More is known about the Norman deployment. Duke William appears to have arranged his forces in three groups, or "battles", which roughly corresponded to their origins. The left units were the Bretons,along with those from Anjou, Poitou and Maine. This division was led by Alan the Red, a relative of the Breton count. The centre was held by the Normans, under the direct command of the duke and with many of his relatives and kinsmen grouped around the ducal party.The final division on the right consisted of the Frenchmen, along with some men from Picardy, Boulogne, and Flanders. The right was commanded by William fitzOsbern and Count Eustace II of Boulogne.[90] The front lines were archers with a line of foot soldiers armed with spears behind. There were probably a few crossbowmen and slingers in with the archers. The cavalry was held in reserve, and a small group of clergymen and servants situated at the base of Telham Hill was not expected to take part in the fighting. William's disposition of his forces implies that he planned to open the battle with archers in the front rank weakening the enemy with arrows, followed by infantry who would engage in close combat. The infantry would create openings in the English lines that could be exploited by a cavalry charge to break through the English forces and pursue the fleeing soldiers.

The battle opened with the Norman archers shooting uphill at the English shield wall, to little effect. The uphill angle meant that the arrows either bounced off the shields of the English or overshot their targets and flew over the top of the hill.The lack of English archers hampered the Norman archers, as there were few English arrows to be gathered up and reused. After the attack from the archers, William sent the spearmen forward to attack the English. They were met with a barrage of missiles, not arrows but spears, axes and stones. The infantry was unable to force openings in the shield wall, and the cavalry advanced in support.The cavalry also failed to make headway, and a general retreat began, blamed on the Breton division on William's left. A rumour started that the duke had been killed, which added to the confusion. The English forces began to pursue the fleeing invaders, but William rode through his forces, showing his face and yelling that he was still alive. The duke then led a counter-attack against the pursuing English forces; some of the English rallied on a hillock before being overwhelmed.

It is not known whether the English pursuit was ordered by Harold or if it was spontaneous. Wace relates that Harold ordered his men to stay in their formations but no other account gives this detail. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the death of Harold's brothers Gyrth and Leofwine occurring just before the fight around the hillock. This may mean that the two brothers led the pursuit. The Carmen de Hastingae Proelio relates a different story for the death of Gyrth, stating that the duke slew Harold's brother in combat, perhaps thinking that Gyrth was Harold. William of Poitiers states that the bodies of Gyrth and Leofwine were found near Harold's, implying that they died late in the battle. It is possible that if the two brothers died early in the fighting their bodies were taken to Harold, thus accounting for their being found near his body after the battle. The military historian Peter Marren speculates that if Gyrth and Leofwine died early in the battle, that may have influenced Harold to stand and fight to the end.

A lull probably occurred early in the afternoon, and a break for rest and food would probably have been needed.[99] William may have also needed time to implement a new strategy, which may have been inspired by the English pursuit and subsequent rout by the Normans. If the Normans could send their cavalry against the shield wall and then draw the English into more pursuits, breaks in the English line might form.[101] William of Poitiers says the tactic was used twice. Although arguments have been made that the chroniclers' accounts of this tactic were meant to excuse the flight of the Norman troops from battle, this is unlikely as the earlier flight was not glossed over. It was a tactic used by other Norman armies during the period.[99][q] Some historians have argued that the story of the use of feigned flight as a deliberate tactic was invented after the battle; most historians agree that it was used by the Normans at Hastings.[102]



"Harold Rex Interfectus Est" ("King Harold was killed"). Scene from the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings and the death of Harold
Although the feigned flights did not break the lines, they probably thinned out the housecarls in the English shield wall. The housecarls were replaced with members of the fyrd, and the shield wall held. Archers appear to have been used again before and during an assault by the cavalry and infantry led by the duke. Although 12th-century sources state that the archers were ordered to shoot at a high angle to shoot over the front of the shield wall, there is no trace of such an action in the more contemporary accounts.It is not known how many assaults were launched against the English lines, but some sources record various actions by both Normans and Englishmen that took place during the afternoon's fighting.The Carmen claims that Duke William had two horses killed under him during the fighting, but William of Poitiers's account states that it was three.

Harold appears to have died late in the battle, although accounts in the various sources are contradictory. William of Poitiers only mentions his death, without giving any details on how it occurred. The Tapestry is not helpful, as it shows a figure holding an arrow sticking out of his eye next to a falling fighter being hit with a sword. Over both figures is a statement "Here King Harold has been killed".[103] It is not clear which figure is meant to be Harold, or if both are meant. The earliest written mention of the traditional account of Harold dying from an arrow to the eye dates to the 1080s from a history of the Normans written by an Italian monk, Amatus of Montecassino.William of Malmesbury stated that Harold died from an arrow to the eye that went into the brain, and that a knight wounded Harold at the same time. Wace repeats the arrow-to-the-eye account. The Carmen states that Duke William killed Harold, but this is unlikely, as such a feat would have been recorded elsewhere.The account of William of Jumièges is even more unlikely, as it has Harold dying in the morning, during the first fighting. The Chronicle of Battle Abbey states that no one knew who killed Harold, as it happened in the press of battle.A modern biographer of Harold, Ian Walker, states that Harold probably died from an arrow in the eye, although he also says it is possible that Harold was struck down by a Norman knight while mortally wounded in the eye. Another biographer of Harold, Peter Rex, after discussing the various accounts, concludes that it is not possible to declare how Harold died. Harold's death left the English forces leaderless, and they began to collapse Many of them fled, but the soldiers of the royal household gathered around Harold's body and fought to the end.The Normans began to pursue the fleeing troops, and except for a rearguard action at a site known as the "Malfosse", the battle was over.Exactly what happened at the Malfosse, or "Evil Ditch", and where it took place, is unclear. It occurred at a small fortification or set of trenches where some Englishmen rallied and seriously wounded Eustace of Boulogne before being destroyed by Duke William

After his victory at the Battle of Hastings, William marched on London and received the city’s submission. On Christmas Day of 1066, he was crowned the first Norman king of England, in Westminster Abbey, and the Anglo-Saxon phase of English history came to an end.

[Hedeby]

[Hedeby]

October 14th 1916 (the 750th anniversary of the battle fought near the modern day town of Hastings...)

2 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 14TH 1916

Air Mechanic Vernon Lionel Brazier 6 Squadron RFC: Died of accidental injuries 14 October 1916 aged 22. At an aerodrome in France (Abeele) on 14 October 1916, a bomb accidentally exploded in the mouth of a dug-out forming a bomb store, which contained a large number of bombs packed in wooden cases - A more severe case of a drawing the boom card I have yet to see...

Air Mechanic 2nd Class William Richard Wiltshire 3 Squadron RFC: Accidentally Killed 14 October 1916 aged 23 At an aerodrome in France on 14 October 1916, a bomb accidentally exploded in the mouth of a dug-out forming a bomb store, which contained a large number of bombs packed in wooden cases and a quantity of rockets (the same incident as detailed above)

There was just the one claim on this day...

Opening his account we have Offizierstellvertreter Julius Kowalczik of the Austro HUngarian Air Service : Flying Hansa-Brandenburg C.I (61.18) he shot down a Farman near Pergine airfield.



Alas all the sites I could find with more than one line were not in any language I could translate.

On this day we lost 646 men.

During one of the engagements that were part of the costly Somme offensive, the Cambridgeshire Regiment assaults and successfully captures the Schwaben Redoubt. The Territorial Cambridgeshire ‘Fen Tigers’ under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Pius Arthur Riddell DSO advance under a creeping barrage and are in among the defenders without loss of life. The fierce fight that follows devolves into a hotly contested struggle, commanded by corporals and junior commanders with bayonet and grenade. The German occupants are routed and the Cambridgeshire Regiment goes on to successfully defend the Redoubt for a further 24 hours before being relieved, having beaten back several determined counter-attacks. By First World War standards British loss of life is light, with 218 men killed or wounded. The success is so impressive that General Haig recounts the attack as being “one of the finest feats or arms in the history of the British Army”. For their personal skill and bravery, 41 awards for gallantry will be bestowed on the Regiment.



At an aerodrome in France a bomb accidentally explodes in the mouth of a dug-out forming a bomb store which contains a large number of bombs packed in wooden cases and a quantity of rockets. Two men are killed by the explosion and another man severely injured when he is thrown down into the store. Dense volumes of smoke pour from the dug-out and there is danger of more explosions. Second Lieutenant Frederick Stuart Smith and Sergeant William Ernest Rhoades (Royal Flying Corps) on hearing a call for help immediately enter the dug-out and succeed in rescuing the wounded man. For their actions both men will be awarded the Albert Medal. (see above for details of those who died in the explosion)

Tunstill's Men: At 2am ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies, who had arrived at Longpre at 8am the previous morning were finally joined by ‘C’, ‘D’ and HQ. Given the chaotic nature of the journey, plans were hastily changed and the men were taken direct, by motor bus, the fifteen miles from Longpre to Yvrench. The remainder of the day was spent resting at Yvrench. Orders were received for the Battalion to move again next day, to Poperinghe. In the quieter conditions now prevailing Brig. Genl. T.S. Lambert (see passim), commanding 69th Brigade, found time to reflect upon recent events and what might be learned from them. His thoughts were preserved in the Brigade War Diary:

A Coroner’s inquest was held to consider the events surrounding the death of Adelaide Benson. She was the sister of the late Pte. Fred Benson (see 13th October), and had gone missing from home on 8th October. The inquest was held on what would have been Adelaide’s twenty-ninth birthday. The Coroner’s jury were unanimous in their verdict; "Suicide by drowning, whilst temporarily insane, brought about by grief at the loss of her brother in the war." The jury expressed their sympathy with Mrs. Benson, and, along with the witnesses, granted her their fees, together with a subscription from the Coroner. Ann Benson, widowed twelve years earlier, had lost her only two children, within three months of each other. (see yesterday)

News began to arrive in Craven of the losses at Le Sars. Two letters were received by the parents of Sgt. John Hartley (see 10th October); one was from Hartley’s platoon commander 2Lt. Philip Morris (see 10th October) and the other from Hartley’s close friend, CSM Billy Oldfield.

"Dear Mrs. Hartley,
I believe Q.M.S. Frank Stephenson (see 10th October) has already written to you informing you of the death in action of your son, but as his platoon commander, I should also like to assure you and your family of my deepest sympathy in your sorrow. He died a gallant death in an attack on the German trenches, and we were able to recover his body two days later and bury him on the field. In the short time I have been with the platoon I have found him to be a very good N.C.O., always cheerful and willing, and the Army has lost a good Officer, as I understand he was awaiting a commission. Once again let me assure you of my sympathy.
In deepest sorrow, I am, yours sincerely, PHILIP A. MORRIS, Second Lieutenant."


John Hartley

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hartley and Minnie
It almost breaks my heart to have to convey to you the sad news of the death in action of your son, John. In the first place we had to report him as missing, but his body has now been found. He fell along with many others of our Company in a charge we made on the enemy lines on the evening of October 4th, 1916, and really it was a wonder how some of us did get back. His body was found alongside that of Mr. Harris, our company commander. It feels cruel to me to have to write this but I should consider I had failed in my promise to one of the best of friends had I not done so. I saw him a minute before we went over the top of the trench, and he said, "Write and give my love to all at home if anything happens to me." I replied, "All right, John, cheerio." That was the last I saw of him. He fell leading his men, for his body was found on the German parapet, death being instantaneous, being shot through the head with a bullet. His cousin, Second Lieutenant Snowden (son of Mr. Keighley Snowdon, the novelist) was wounded in the same affair. I can imagine what a sad blow it will be to you, and I repeat, it makes my heart ache to be the bearer of such sad news, but it is my duty.
As a friend I found him to be one of the best, always true to his promise, never failing in his duties. He was very popular, both amongst Officers, N.C.O.s, and men, and we all mourned deeply the loss of so popular and efficient an N.C.O. We managed to get his body buried decently as possible under the circumstances, and his personal effects will be forwarded on to you in due course. I trust God will sustain and strengthen you in this sad loss of your only son and brother. I trust you will find some consolation in knowing he died a hero's death, fighting for the glorious cause of Freedom. His last thoughts were of home.
Yours in deepest sympathy, WILLIAM OLDFIELD, C.S.M."

Private Herbert Rooke of 42 Thwaites Lane, Keighley and of the West Riding Regiment, has been killed in action. Corporal L.S. Perks in a letter to Mrs. Rooke says: “It is with much regret that I write to inform you of your husband’s death. He was killed on the night of October 4, during an advance on the German trenches. Death was instantaneous. He was buried on the following day by his comrades, who put a cross to mark the spot. Please accept my sincerest sympathies.” A married man with three children, Private Rooke enlisted in September 1914 in “Kitchener’s Army” and went to France twelve months ago. He formerly worked in the combing room of Messrs. R. Clough & Sons, Grove Mills.

Southern Fronts
Macedonia: Allied frontal assault fails to take a single Bulgar trench despite gas shell use; French 1,490 casualties, Russians 600. Sarrail has a final row with
Cordonnier, cables Joffre (October 16) who agrees to recall him (October 19); General Leblois takes over (October 20).

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: French gains south of river on 1 1/4-mile front. British 39th Division finally captures Schwaben Redoubt.

The Capture of Schwaben Redoubt (Schwaben-Feste) was a tactical incident in the Battle of the Somme, 1916. The redoubt was a German strong point 500–600 yards (460–550 m) long and 200 yards (180 m) wide, built in stages since 1915, near the village of Thiepval, overlooking the River Ancre. It formed part of the German defensive system in the Somme sector of the Western Front during the First World War and consisting of a mass of machine-gun emplacements, trenches and dug-outs. The redoubt was defended by the 26th Reserve Division, from Swabia in south-west Germany, which had arrived in the area during the First Battle of Albert in 1914. Troops of the 36th (Ulster) Division captured the redoubt on 1 July 1916, until forced out by German bombardments and counter-attacks after night had fallen.

The British kept the area of the redoubt under bombardment until 3 September, when the 49th (West Riding) Division attacked the area from the west, in a morning fog. The 36th Division infantry got across no man's land but were defeated, when German artillery and machine gun fire swept the Irish troops and German infantry counter-attacked from the flanks, using hand grenades. In late September, the British gained a footing in the redoubt, during the Battle of Thiepval Ridge (26–28 September). Attack and counter-attack followed until 14 October, when troops of the 39th Division, captured the last German foothold in the redoubt and repulsed German counter-attacks from 15–21 October. The site of the redoubt lies between the Thiepval Memorial and the Ulster Tower.



The attack on the 14th was a soldier’s battle. At the beginning of the fight nearly all of the officers of the attacking companies were either killed or wounded, and it says much for the grit and endurance of the men that the 4/5th never wavered; it carried its attack forward with great gallantry and determination, hung on for hours under heavy German shell fire, repelled all enemy counter-attacks and, finally, having consolidated the captured position, handed it over intact to the relieving platoons of A company


Sea War
Black Sea: Russian submarine captures Turk armed transport Rodosto.
Mediterranean: Royal Navy SNO Malta Rear-Admiral Ballard proposes ‘three convoys per week system’ to Admiralty who study it, but French C-in-C opposes.

As if to reinforce the above - the German submarine U-47 has something of a field day in the Med....

Annunziata Italy: The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Syracuse, Sicily by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Elena Italy: The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Syracuse by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Il Nuovo Concettina Italy : The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Syracuse by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Il Nuovo S. Luigi Italy: The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Syracuse by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Il Redentore Italy: The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Syracuse by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine)

SM UB-47 was a Type UB II submarine or U-boat for the German Imperial Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. UB-47 was sold to the Austro-Hungarian Navy (German: Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine or K.u.K. Kriegsmarine) during the war. In Austro-Hungarian service the B was dropped from her name and she was known as SM U-47 or U-XLVII as a member of the Austro-Hungarian U-43 class.

UB-47 was ordered in July 1915 and was laid down at the AG Weser shipyard in Bremen in September. UB-47 was a little more than 121 feet (37 m) in length and displaced between 270 and 305 tonnes (266 and 300 long tons), depending on whether surfaced or submerged. She was equipped to carry a complement of four torpedoes for her two bow torpedo tubes and had an 8.8-centimeter (3.5 in) deck gun. As part of a group of six submarines selected for Mediterranean service, UB-47 was broken into railcar sized components and shipped to Pola where she was assembled and launched in June 1916, and commissioned in July. Over the next year the U-boat sank twenty ships, which included the French battleship Gaulois and two Cunard Line steamers in use as troopships, Franconia and Ivernia.

The German Imperial Navy was having difficulties in finding trained submarine crews and offered to sell UB-47 and a sister boat UB-43 to the Austro-Hungarian Navy. After the terms were agreed to in June 1917, both boats were handed over at Pola. When commissioned into the Austro-Hungarian Navy, the B in her designation was dropped so that she became U-47 or U-XLVII. She sank an additional three ships in Austro-Hungarian service through the end of the war. U-47 was ceded to France as a war reparation in 1920 and broken at Bizerta that same year.

SM UB-47 was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 4 July 1916 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Steinbauer. UB-47, Steinbauer's first U-boat command,[12] was assigned to the Navy's Pola Flotilla (German: Deutsche U-Halbflotille Pola) in which she remained throughout her German career. Although the flotilla was based in Pola, the site of the main Austro-Hungarian Navy base, boats of the flotilla operated out of the Austro-Hungarian base at Cattaro which was located farther south and closer to the Mediterranean. German U-boats typically returned to Pola only for repairs.



On 17 August, Steinbauer and UB-47 achieved their first success when they sank the Italian steamer Stampalia south of Cape Matapan Although Italy and Germany would not formally be at war for another ten days,[15] German U-boats in the Mediterranean routinely attacked Italian vessels by posing as Austro-Hungarian submarines and flying the ensign of that country's navy. Stampalia was an ocean liner of 9,000 gross register tons (GRT) that had formerly been in passenger service between New York and Genoa, and had been one of the first Italian merchant vessels to be armed against submarine attacks. At the time of her sinking, she was in the service of the Italian government but was not carrying any passengers;[17] no casualties from Stampalia were reported in the attack. Three weeks later, Steinbauer and UB-47 scored a triple kill, sinking three ships on the same day. The British steamer Butetown, en route from Malta to Mudro, was carrying coal and other cargo when she was sent down 55 nautical miles (102 km; 63 mi) west-southwest of Cape Matapan on 8 September. UB-47 attacked Llangorse, another British steamer, 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) away, sending the ship and her cargo of Canadian oats headed to Salonica to the bottom.The third ship was the Greek ship Spetzai, headed from Cyprus to Liverpool when sunk in the same vicinity. There were no casualties from any of the three ships;the crews of Butetown and Llangorse were rescued and landed at Marseilles on 16 September.

On 4 October, Steinbauer sank the largest ship of his career when UB-47 torpedoed the 1911 Cunard Line steamer Franconia at position 35°56′N 18°30′E, 195 nautical miles (361 km; 224 mi) east of Malta. The 625-foot (191 m) long, 72-foot (22 m) wide Franconia—nicknamed the "Bath Ship" in civilian days because of the number of passenger baths and showers—was, at 18,510 GRT, the fifth largest ship sunk by a U-boat during World War I.Franconia had been in service as a troopship since February 1915 but was not carrying troops at the time of the attack. The hospital ship Dover Castle picked up 302 survivors from Franconia; 12 men were killed in the attack. UB-47's next success came a week later, on 11 October, when the 5,002-ton British steamer Crosshill was sunk west of Malta with the loss of four men.A German military announcement of 20 October proclaiming Steinbauer's sinking of the ship reported that Crosshill's cargo included horses and Serbian grooms. The following day, Sebek, a British ship headed to Alexandria, was torpedoed southeast of Gozo. Although the German Admiralty reported her sunk,Sebek's captain was able to ground his ship and prevent it from sinking.On 14 October, UB-47 sank five small Italian sailing vessels—ranging in size from 32 to 80 tons—near Syracuse, Sicily. The next day, UB-47 closed out the month of October with the sinking of the Greek steamer Avis. UB-47's tally of sunken ships for the month of October came to 24,776 gross register tons, which accounted for nearly 20% of the total sunk by all German U-boats in the Mediterranean

[Hedeby]

October 15th 1916

2 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 15TH 1916 - that is two RFC losses, today we also mark the passing of an American pilot whose influence went way beyond what he himself achieved in the skies over the Western Front at a time when his country had not yet joined the hostilities - We salute and thank you (see below)

Air Mechanic 1st Class John William Fairhead: 30 Squadron RFC (Kut Garrison) Captured when British Garrison at Kut el Amara surrendered 29 April 1916. Died 15 October 1916, as a Prisoner of War in Turkish Hands, aged 20

Air Mechanic 2nd Class Robert F. Reynolds 4th Brigade RFC - alas I can find no additional information.

There was just the one Ace claiming a victory on this day, and it was a double for the Canadian Captain Alan Duncan Bell-Irving



The third son of Henry Ogle Bell-Irving of Vancouver, British Columbia, Alan Duncan Bell-Irving transferred to the Royal Flying Corps from the Gordon Highlanders. While serving as an observer with 7 Squadron in 1915, he was shot down in September and was wounded in action in December. He recovered and received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2664 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Farnborough on 31 March 1916. Posted to 60 Squadron in May 1916, he was shot down for the second time on 21 October. On 9 November 1916, he was wounded again when he was shot down for the third and final time by Otto Höhne. Bell-Irving served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and attained the rank of Air Commodore.

Today we lost 657 men

The Submarine H3 (Lieutenant George Eric Jenkinson age 27) is sunk in the Gulf of Cattaro when it strikes a mine while attempting to penetrate the defenses. The crew of twenty two is lost. However I have sources that put this loss down in Jully rather than October - so as is common we have a little bit of the fog of war here.

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Second Lieutenant Noel Loftus Moore Ward (Essex Regiment) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Charles James War Rector of Barnston.
Second Lieutenant Herbert Edward Britton (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 36. He is the son of the Reverend J Willis Britton.
Second Lieutenant Samuel Joseph Ebsary (Royal Newfoundland Regiment) is killed in action at age 37. His brother will be killed in September 1918.
Private Frederick Foster (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 22. His brother will be killed in February 1917.
Gunner William Robert Monro (New Zealand Field Artillery) is killed at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend G B Monro.

Commanding officer and Sub Lieutenant William Inglis Tatham the son of Lieutenant Colonel the Honorable F S Tatham DSO who is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed in 3 days serving in the South African Infantry the date of his death is also listed as July 15th lending weight to the error on the loss of the submarine H3.

Tunstill's Men: Reveille was at 4am and breakfast at 4.30, with the five mile march to Conteville station underway at 6.15 am; the transport section, under Lt. Leonard Phillips (see 5th July) had already departed at 3am. Everything ran on schedule on this occasion and the Battalion travelled by train from Conteville to Hopoutre, arriving at 3pm (the station at Hopoutre was known to the troops as "hop out" because it was the place where troops arriving in the Salient used to "hop out" of their trains). From there they completed the final one mile march to their billets in Poperinghe. After the rigours of their duties on the Somme and the extended journey north the men were to be given a well-deserved period of rest in Poperinghe.

Air War
Western Front: Lieutenant N Prince (5 victories), American creator of Esc Lafayette, dies of wounds

Dr. Edmund L. Gros, director of the AFS Intercultural Programs WWI, and Norman Prince, an American expatriate already flying for France, led the efforts to persuade the French government of the value of a volunteer American air unit fighting for France. The aim was to have their efforts recognized by the American public and thus, it was hoped, the resulting publicity would rouse interest in abandoning neutrality and joining the fight. Authorized by the French Air Department on March 21, 1916, the Escadrille Américaine (Escadrille N.124) was deployed on April 20 in Luxeuil-les-Bains, France. Not all American pilots were in Lafayette Escadrille; other American pilots fought for France as part of the Lafayette Flying Corps. The squadron was then moved closer to the front to Bar-le-Duc. A German objection filed with the U.S. government, over the actions of a supposed neutral nation, led to the name change to Lafayette Escadrille in December 1916, as the original name implied that the U.S. was allied to France rather than neutral. The unit's aircraft, mechanics, and uniforms were French, as was the commander, Captain Georges Thenault. Five French pilots were also on the roster, serving at various times. Raoul Lufbery, a French-born American citizen, became the squadron's first, and ultimately their highest scoring flying ace with 16 confirmed victories before the pilots of the squadron were inducted into the U.S. Air Service. Two unofficial members of the Escadrille Américaine, the lion cubs named Whiskey and Soda, provided countless moments of relief from battle stress to fliers.



He was born on August 31, 1887 in Beverly, Massachusetts. Prince attended the Groton School, graduated Harvard College, cum laude in 1908 and Harvard Law School in 1911. Prince, under the alias 'George Manor' to conceal his flight training from his father, was the 55th American to be licensed to fly an airplane by the Aero Club of America. He passed his test on August 28, 1911 at Squantum, Massachusetts flying a Burgess with a Wright motor. Norman was son of Frederick Henry Prince and had graduated from Harvard Law School and was practicing law in Chicago when he joined a group to build and race a plane in the Gordon Bennett Cup Race. They hired Starling Burgess to build their plane in his boat yard in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1912. Norman's family owned an estate in Pau, France "Villa Ste. Helene", and Norman spoke fluent French. Norman sailed to France in January 1915 and finally persuaded the French to allow the founding of the American Escadrille (squadron) in April 1916. Captain Georges Thenault, the Escadrille's commander, credits Norman for conceiving the idea of bringing together his countrymen with some of those of the French Foreign Legion in a squadron of flyers to be initially known as the Escadrille Américaine. He formed the squadron with William Thaw II, Elliot C. Cowdin, Frazier Curtis, and Greeley S. Curtis, Jr. Elliott C. Cowdin, in an article which he published in the Harvard Alumni Bulletin (March 7, 1918) gave the full credit for the formation of this flying corps and for its incorporation in the French flying service to the energy and persistence of Norman Prince.

As an aviator, serving as a sergeant in the French air service, Norman Prince was involved in 122 aerial combat engagements in which he was officially credited with five victories. He was also thought to have brought down four additional hostile planes which were not confirmed. Note - Sources vary as to how many aerial victories Prince had. Estimates range from zero to five. Prince was awarded the French Legion of Honor, Medaille Militare and Croix de Guerre. On October 12, 1916 Prince flew as an escort for a bombing raid on the Mauser rifle works at Oberndorf, Germany during which he shot down an enemy plane. Returning to base, his landing wheels hit telegraph cables near his air base and his plane flipped over and crashed. Prince was severely injured and died on October 15, 1916. On his deathbed he was promoted to sous lieutenant and awarded the Legion of Honor. His body was returned to the United States and buried in an elaborate tomb at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.



Somme: 333 German aircraft support First Army against 293 aircraft of RFC (Western Front totals RFC 563, German c. 885 of which 451 against the French).
18 Sqn lost an FE (6346) on a night bomb - became lost & landed German side, crew pow. 2nd Lt A R Crisp (Pow) & 1/AM H A Hardinge (Pow), 18 Sqn, FE2b 6346 - missing on night bombing raid Bois d'Havrincourt (landed behind enemy lines). This was a presentation machine that carried the name Black Watch No.II.

The RFC Communique comments upon the artillery co-operation carried out by aeroplanes of the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Brigades and the damage done.

Machines of the Ist Brigade attacked Avion station and a dump. Motor transport, station buildings and the dump were hit.

Minor bombing operations were carried out by the 2nd and 5th Brigades.

Despite the assertion that "there were a few indecisive combats", in a combat over Ervillers at midday, Lt A D Bell-Irving, 60 Sqn, claimed a brace of two-seaters, one crashed, the other out of control.

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: German gains near Schwaben Redoubt and Thiepval. Rawlinson inspects Longueval, Delville Wood and High Wood and discerns stiffening German resistance. In the south of the battlefield General Micheler (French Tenth Army) complains of being starved of reserves and ‘reduced to the role of a watchdog for Fayolle’ (Sixth Army).

Eastern Front
Russia: Alexeiev reports to Tsar only 1.4m reserves after November 1, ie under 5 months supply.
Brusilov offensive, Galicia: Südarmee’s Battle of Lower Narajowka (until October 22).
Rumania: *General Berthelot arrives at Bucharest (French Military Mission left Paris October 1, eventually 1,200 strong); having seen Alexeiev (October 11) at Mogilev who urges Rumanians to hold river Sereth not the Carpathians.

Battle of the Crna Bend

The Battle of the Crna bend was a two-month-long battle between the Bulgarian and Entente armies. The battle took place in the Macedonian Front during the First World War Allied Monastir Offensive in October and November 1916. After extremely heavy fighting and severe casualties on both sides, the Bulgarians retreated from Bitola on the 19 November and took positions at 5 km to the north defeating all later attacks from there. However, the Entente entry in Bitola had no strategic value.

In August 1916 the Bulgarians launched the Lerin operation. The Entente troops started a counter-attack and on 30 September took Kajmakčalan with heavy casualties and continued to Bitola. In the area of the River Crna (Macedonian and Serbian: Црна/Crna, Bulgarian: Черна Река/Cherna Reka) the Bulgarian 8th Tundzha Infantry Division had taken hastily defensive positions in September 1916. That division took the main enemy blow. On 5 October the Serbian troops made their first attempt to cross the river. Some of them reach the right bank but were counter-attacked by the Bulgarians and defeated and had to retreat. On 6 October the Serbs attack again near the villages of Dobroveni and Skochivir but were again counter-attacked and pushed back. The Bulgarians took the village of Brod. The Serbs who had great superiority in artillery attacked constantly. On 14 and 15 October 1916 the fights continued without interruption. The Serbian pressure was immense and the Bulgarians continued to hold their positions. During the night of 15 October was one of the culmination moments of the battle when the Serbs made 8 successive attacks which were all repulsed. The Serbs then recovered for three days and on 18 October they crossed the left bank of the River Crna at Brod and fortified it. The Bulgarian army counter-attacked but was repulsed. On 23 October the artillery fire of the Entente grew even more. The French were fighting near Kremenitsa. In the course of a week the Bulgarians tried to push them back without success but all Serbian attacks were also unsuccessful which led to massive casualties for both sides. Due to lack of munitions the Bulgarian artillery had to save shells which had a negative effect on the moral of the soldiers. On 7 November the enemy artillery started intense fire at 3/8 Brigade which occupied positions between Krape and Polog. After three days the losses of the brigade became so immense that on 10 November it abandoned its positions which were taken by the Serbs. On 19 November the Bulgarians also had to retreat from Bitola and took positions at 5 km to the north of the town. The front stabilized on the line Pelister - Hill 1248 - Hill 1050 - Dabica - Gradešnica.



The Entente continued with their attempts for a breakthrough against the Bulgarians in the area of the River Crna in the next year again without any success. The allied offensive in spring 1917 was a failure. The Bulgarian-German army continued to hold the Macedonian Front against French, British, Serbian and Greek troops until the Franco-Serbian breakthrough at Dobro Pole on 15 September 1918.

and finally from one of the Worcestershire papers we have this short article...

National Egg Collection – It is now 12 months since the National Egg Collection Depot was opened at the Guildhall. Since then then 35,909 eggs have been collected at the Guildhall. Most of these eggs have been sent to London and then to France, as the need for them is greater at the base hospitals than elsewhere. Because most of the north of France is in enemy hands, our wounded have been dependent upon us for supply. What remains after satisfying the base hospitals are given to hospitals in England.

[Hedeby]

[Hedeby]

16th October 1916

7 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON MONDAY OCTOBER 16TH 1916 (eeek - this is going to take a while...) and there are also 13 Aces claiming kills today as well - I dunno it goes quiet for a couple of days then WHAM ! everything happens at once - good job I started this much earlier than usual...

Sergeant Frederick Barton 15 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day 1916

Lieutenant Edward Marvin Carre 15 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day 1916. (Lincolnshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 22 when his BE2d is shot down east of Hebuterne. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Augustus Carre, Rector of Smarden, Kent and his two brothers will also be killed in the Great War, the first in September 1915 and the second in November 1917.

2nd Lieutenant Archibald Douglas 42 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day in 1916



2ND LIEUT. ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, E.F.A. (S.R.), FLYING OFFICER 42ND SQDN. R.F.C. KILLED IN ACTION ON AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE, WEST OF LILLE, OCTOBER 16TH, 1916. AGED 20. At Tonbridge School 1910-15 (Day Boy). 2nd Lieut. Archibald Douglas was the third son of Capt. Robert Langton Douglas, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, now a Staff Captain at the War Office, and of Mrs. M.J Douglas, until recently residing at Longcar, Tonbridge. The eldest son, William Sholto Douglas (D.B., 1908-13 ; XV. 1912 ; Col.-Sergt. in O.T.C. 1913; Sch. Prae. 1912-13; Class Exhibitioner of Lincoln Coll., Oxford), was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant R.F.A. (S.R.) August 15th 1914, and promoted Lieutenant June 6th 1915, and Captain November 3rd 1917. He went out to France with "Z" Battery, 5th Brigade, R.F.A., November 5th 1914, but was seconded to the R.F.C. in December. He became a Flying Officer in July 1915, and a Temporary Major and Squadron Commander from July 1916. He served with distinction in France, at Neuve Chapelle and Festubert, till May 1915, and then, after a period of home service, went out to the 8th Squadron in July 1915, and served through the Battle of Loos. From January 1916, he was an Instructor at Montrose till he was appointed to command the 43rd Squadron in April. He took his Squadron out in January 1917, and was wounded over Vimy Ridge on May 5th. He was then appointed to the command of the 84th Squadron and commanded it at the Front from September 1917, till November 1918, when he was appointed to the command of the 39th Wing, R.A.F., Cranwell, with the acting rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and this appointment he held till April 1919. He was mentioned in the Despatches dated November 30th 1915, April 7th and November 8th 1918, and was awarded the M.C. in January 1916, the Distinguished Flying Cross in February 1919, and the French Croix de Guerre in July 1918. He relinquished his commission in the R.A.F. (S.R.) in March, 1920, and in the following November was awarded a permanent commission in the R.A.F. as Squadron Leader. In 1922 he was at the R.A.F. Staff College. An account of one of his exploits was given in THE TONBRIDGIAN for April 1916. The second son, Robert Oswald Douglas, (D.B., 1909-14; Sch. Prae. and House Capt. 1913-14; Corporal in O.T.O.; Classical Scholar of Christ's Coll., Cambridge), was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battn. of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (T.F.), October 18th 1914, and promoted Lieutenant in 1917. He served in India from December 1914, till October 1918, being Lewis Gun Instructor, Mhow Division, for a year, and King's Messenger in the Marri Expedition, May 1918. He then served in Mesopotamia till February 1919, and having been disembodied passed into the Indian Civil Service in the summer of that year. Archibald Douglas, like his brothers, was at Mr. A. M. Darling's, Clare House, Tonbridge. Entering the School in January 1910, he was elected to a Foundation Scholarship in the following June, and to the Judd Scholarship in June 1911. He became a House Praepostor in September 1913, and a School Praepostor and House Captain in September 1914. He also gained an open Classical Scholarship at Trinity College, Oxford, and won the prize for Latin Lyrics and the School Divinity prize in 1914 and 1915. In the O.T.C. he became a Sergeant in September 1914, C.S.M. in the following spring, and then Cadet Officer in his last Term.

On leaving School he obtained a commission in the R.F.A. (S.R.) dated July 28th 1915, and after training at Athlone went out to France in the following November, being attached to an Ammunition Column for a few weeks, and then being sent to a Battery, with which he remained till June 1916. He then became attached to the R.F.C. and served with them as an Observer till his death. He was actually gazetted as Flying Officer (Observer) October 16th 1916, the date of his death. On that day he was engaged on aerial reconnaissance over the German lines, his Pilot being another Old Tonbridgian, 2nd Lieut.Valentine F. H. Hugill (H.S. 1907-13). An aerial bombing raid was about to take place, and their task was to locate the anti-aircraft guns with a view to strafing them. All accounts agree that their machine received a direct hit from an anti-aircraft shell at a height of about 6,000 or 7,000 feet and fell completely out of control in the German lines. The account given in a letter to Dr. Hugill by a Pilot who saw what occurred is quoted in the biography of 2nd Lieut. V.F.H. Hugill. They were officially reported "missing," and it was not till March that definite news of their death was received through the Red Cross, Geneva. The official announcement that they were now known to have been killed appeared in the Casualty Lists of April 19th 1917. They had been buried together by the Germans at Copinghem, west of Lille. A brother officer wrote: - " Archie was one of the bravest and best, taking absolutely no notice of anti-aircraft gun fire to make a success of any job he had to carry out—brave even to the point of being reckless." Another said: - "He was always so cheery and happy that it did one good to be with him, and we all feel his loss very much..

2nd Lieutenant Valentine Francis Herbert Hugill 42 Squadron RFC - Killed whilst flying on this day 1916



2ND LIEUT. VALENTINE FRANCIS HERBERT HUGILL, ROYAL FUSILIERS (CITY OF LONDON REGT.), FLYING OFFICER, 42ND SQUADRON, R.F.C. KILLED IN ACTION ON AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE, E. OF ARMENTIERES, OCTOBER 16TH, 1916. AGED 22. At the School 1907—13 (Hill Side). 2nd Lieut. Valentine Francis Herbert Hugill was the only surviving son of George Frederick Hugill, M.D., of Elmfield, High Road, Balham, S. W. He came to Tonbridge School from Leas Court, Folkestone, in May, 1907, and left from the Science Fifth at Easter, 1913, having become a Corporal in the O.T.C. in the previous Michaelmas Term. After leaving School he went to Sheffield to serve an apprenticeship in order to enter his uncle's firm, Messrs. Meggeson, of London. As soon as war was declared he promptly volunteered for service as a Motor Cyclist Despatch Rider, and was attached to the R.E. He went to France in September, 1914, and was in the retreat from Mons, the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne, and several other engagements, and during this time carried a great number of despatches successfully. In the following year he obtained a commission as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant, dated June 17th, 1915, in a Reserve Service Battn. of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt.), and was stationed for several months at Shoreham. Whilst he was there his CO. wrote of him :— " This officer has undoubtedly a large fund of common sense and the ability to use it. His grasp of Ordnance detail and procedure, after the short course he had with me, is quite exceptional and, if he continues to show the same keenness that he showed while at this Depot, he should make a most useful officer." He was always keen to be sent to the Front again, and whilst at Shoreham answered a call for volunteers for the R.F.C. He was sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon, Wilts., and obtaining his Pilot's certificate was gazetted a Flying Officer, R.F.C. and transferred to the General List, August 27th, 1916. A week later he was sent to France. He had many thrilling experiences, and on one occasion his machine was riddled with shot and pieces of shell, but he managed to bring it safely back to our lines. On October 16th, 1916, he was on aerial reconnaissance over the German lines, his Observer being another Old Tonbridgian, 2nd Lieut. Archibald Douglas, R.F.A. (S.R.) (D.B. 1910—15). An aerial bombing raid was about to take place, and their task was to locate the anti-aircraft guns with a view to strafing them. A brother Pilot wrote to Dr. Hugill:— " I had been sent up to attack a hostile kite balloon which was behind the German lines, on the afternoon of October 16th, and was flying a machine exactly the same as the one your son was flying. My orders were to meet another machine over a certain town and to follow this machine. Flying at 6,000 feet over the rendezvous, I saw one of our own machines about 2,000 feet above me. It circled round me several times, and I thought it was the machine I was to follow. It went off towards the German lines and I followed about 500 yards behind. Shortly after crossing the lines the anti-aircraft guns began to fire, about fifteen or twenty shells bursting around your son's machine. The next thing I saw was your son's machine diving steeply, and at first I thought he was simply dodging the shells, but it continued to dive until it got into an absolutely vertical nose dive, and when about 500 feet from the ground something seemed to break off and the machine spun round two or three times slowly before striking the ground. The machine appeared to me to strike a house just behind the German front line trenches, but I could not see very clearly as it was getting dark, and, although I flew over the spot several times, I could see nothing further of it. The machine did not catch fire, but, judging from the way it fell, I think your son must have been hit and then fallen on the control lever, so holding the nose of the machine down, as these machines automatically come out of a dive every 200 feet if the control lever is left alone. I am indeed very sorry to say that I think it is impossible that your son can have escaped." 2nd Lieut. Hugill and 2nd Lieut. Douglas were officially reported " missing " in October, and it was not till March that definite news of their death was obtained through the Red Cross, Geneva. The official announcement that they were now known to have been killed appeared in the Casualty Lists of April 19th, 1917.

The telegram from Berlin to the Red Cross gave the date of their deaths as October 17th, but this probably means that the bodies were not found till the 17th. They were buried at Capinghem, West of Lille. His CO. wrote expressing his sympathy and his own great sense of loss, and another officer wrote :— " I am writing to-day to the fellows left in the Royal Fusiliers at Shoreham who knew your son, who I know will all be grieved to hear the bad news, for he took quite an exceptional place in the Mess and was very popular." The Pilot also whose letter has been quoted above added:— "Although your son had not been with us a very long time, he was a great favourite with every one here, principally on account of his very cheery manner, and he was always ready to do anything there was to be done, whether it was a bomb raid or a football match.

2nd Lieutenant Thomas Gibbs Gordon Sturrock 1 Squadron RFC - Died of Wounds 16 October 1916 aged 20.



Second Lieutenant Thomas Gibbs Gordon Sturrock, Royal Scots, was the son of John Sturrock, a Wholesale General Merchant, and Annie Marie Lloyd Sturrock, of 9 Links Place, Leith. He was born in Leith and worked at the Leith branch of the National Bank of
Scotland. He died on 16 October, 1916, age 20.

Lieutenant John Thompson DCM 19 Squadron RFC killed whilst taking part in an airborne raid at Ypres 16th October 1916 - Thompson becomes the 5th victim of Manfred Von Richthofen (see below)



Captain Cecil Robert Tidswell 19 Squadron RFC - 19 Squadron Royal Flying Corps mounts a bombing raid on Hermies railway station just south of the Bapaume to Cambrai road at about the midway point. Of the eight that take off two will not return. The leader of the raid Captain Cecil Robert Tidswell age 36 will be killed along with Lt. John Thompson (see above and below)



Cecil Robert Tidswell, the only son of Mr and Mrs R H Tidswell of Wimbledon and Bosmere Hall, Needham Market, was born on 22 November 1880 and educated at Harrow.

In 1900 Tidswell took a commission in 7th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps but in August the following year joined the 1/Royal Dragoons with whom he had family connections. He served with them in the Boer War, receiving the King's medal and five clasps and later spent much of his service in India where he was promoted to Captain in 1910. The Dragoons sailed for France with the Lucknow Cavalry Brigade and arrived on 7 November 1914.

Believing there was no future for the cavalry Captain Tidswell transferred to the RFC in 1916 qualifying as an observer and receiving his commission as "Captain (Flying Officer)" on 2 June. He was made Captain (Flight Commander) eight days later. Soon afterwards he qualified as a pilot "in an even shorter time" and a remark by him survives "Yesterday we were grounded because the wind blew the plane backwards." Tidswell went out to France in July.

Surprisingly, neither his squadron nor the type of aircraft have been established. On 16 October 1916 he was shot down flying solo "over the enemy lines in the neighbourhood of Bapaume" and was said to be a victim of Manfred von Richthofen, the 'Red Baron'. Tidswell was "buried where he fell in his burnt and wrecked machine by the Germans" his father later wrote, although his Service Record incorrectly states "Died (Prisoner of War)".

His father had all his letters from France printed and bound into a hard back volume of which one was given to each of Robert Tidswell's six sisters. Three months after the War ended he wrote to CWGC asking for his son's grave to remain where it was; it had been put in order by the army, a British cross had replaced the German one, and railings were being erected to protect it. Mr Tidswell's wishes were respected and he bought the ground. (His uncle had died on the first Nile Expedition and his grave and the granite headstone sent out from England still survived at Abu Simbel, so perhaps that is why he wanted his son to stay where he fell.)

Obviously fog of war time here as Von Richthofen only claims one kill on this day - lets see what he says in his own account of the day's action...

So 13 Pilots claimed kills on this day and for the Germans this meant a brand new ace - none other than Manfred Von Richthofen



Surprisingly Von Richthofen misidentified his victim for once... 05:0hrs near Ypres, BE one-seater No.6580 Daimler Motor 25188. Occupant Lieutenant Capper. Together with four planes I singled out above Bertincourt an enemy squadron at 2800 metres altitude. After 350 shots I brought down an enemy plane. The plane crashed to the ground and smashed. the motor can probably be secured.

The BE.12 that was shot down was definitely not flown by Lt. Capper, as he did not take to the skies on that day, it can only be assumed that Lt. Thompson had about his person some item that would have identified Lt. Capper (a borrowed, coat or gloves etc.) As this was Thompson's first combat patrol it is highly likely that he would have borrowed items from his new squadron mates.

Oswald Boelcke continues to run up the scores by claiming a double on this day (numbers 33 and 34 - by some way the highest scoring ace of the war at this point) B.E.2d (6745) near Hébuterne and a D.H.2 (A2542) North of Beaulencourt



We do have a British Ace on this day as Captain Laurence Henry Scott MC of 20 Squadron RFC forces down (OOC) an LVG C over Dadizeele.

Other victories included:

Major Chester Stairs Dufus (Canada) (as opposed to Chester Draws obviously) kill number 3

Sergeant Frank Johnson 22 Squadron RFC (2nd victory)



Sous Lieutenant René Pierre Marie Dorme (France) claims his 14th victory by shooting down an Eindecker North of Peronne



Leutnant Hans Karl Müller of Jasta 5 claims his 6th kill by downing a Caudron South of Fleurs.

Offizierstellvertreter Leopold Rudolf Reimann of Jasta 2 claims his third kill by shooting down a BE2c South West of Thiepval



Leutnant Alfred Ulmer of Jasta 5 claims his second kill by shooting down Morane BB (A137) over Ennetieres

To be continued....

[Hedeby]

16th October 1916

7 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON MONDAY OCTOBER 16TH 1916 (eeek - this is going to take a while...) and there are also 13 Aces claiming kills today as well - I dunno it goes quiet for a couple of days then WHAM ! everything happens at once - good job I started this much earlier than usual... We also see one of the first mentions of one of the most iconic figures (and controversial) of the war, a man so epic they only went and made an equally epic film about him...

Sergeant Frederick Barton 15 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day 1916

Lieutenant Edward Marvin Carre 15 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day 1916. (Lincolnshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 22 when his BE2d is shot down east of Hebuterne. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Augustus Carre, Rector of Smarden, Kent and his two brothers will also be killed in the Great War, the first in September 1915 and the second in November 1917.

2nd Lieutenant Archibald Douglas 42 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day in 1916



2ND LIEUT. ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, E.F.A. (S.R.), FLYING OFFICER 42ND SQDN. R.F.C. KILLED IN ACTION ON AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE, WEST OF LILLE, OCTOBER 16TH, 1916. AGED 20. At Tonbridge School 1910-15 (Day Boy). 2nd Lieut. Archibald Douglas was the third son of Capt. Robert Langton Douglas, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, now a Staff Captain at the War Office, and of Mrs. M.J Douglas, until recently residing at Longcar, Tonbridge. The eldest son, William Sholto Douglas (D.B., 1908-13 ; XV. 1912 ; Col.-Sergt. in O.T.C. 1913; Sch. Prae. 1912-13; Class Exhibitioner of Lincoln Coll., Oxford), was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant R.F.A. (S.R.) August 15th 1914, and promoted Lieutenant June 6th 1915, and Captain November 3rd 1917. He went out to France with "Z" Battery, 5th Brigade, R.F.A., November 5th 1914, but was seconded to the R.F.C. in December. He became a Flying Officer in July 1915, and a Temporary Major and Squadron Commander from July 1916. He served with distinction in France, at Neuve Chapelle and Festubert, till May 1915, and then, after a period of home service, went out to the 8th Squadron in July 1915, and served through the Battle of Loos. From January 1916, he was an Instructor at Montrose till he was appointed to command the 43rd Squadron in April. He took his Squadron out in January 1917, and was wounded over Vimy Ridge on May 5th. He was then appointed to the command of the 84th Squadron and commanded it at the Front from September 1917, till November 1918, when he was appointed to the command of the 39th Wing, R.A.F., Cranwell, with the acting rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and this appointment he held till April 1919. He was mentioned in the Despatches dated November 30th 1915, April 7th and November 8th 1918, and was awarded the M.C. in January 1916, the Distinguished Flying Cross in February 1919, and the French Croix de Guerre in July 1918. He relinquished his commission in the R.A.F. (S.R.) in March, 1920, and in the following November was awarded a permanent commission in the R.A.F. as Squadron Leader. In 1922 he was at the R.A.F. Staff College. An account of one of his exploits was given in THE TONBRIDGIAN for April 1916. The second son, Robert Oswald Douglas, (D.B., 1909-14; Sch. Prae. and House Capt. 1913-14; Corporal in O.T.O.; Classical Scholar of Christ's Coll., Cambridge), was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battn. of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (T.F.), October 18th 1914, and promoted Lieutenant in 1917. He served in India from December 1914, till October 1918, being Lewis Gun Instructor, Mhow Division, for a year, and King's Messenger in the Marri Expedition, May 1918. He then served in Mesopotamia till February 1919, and having been disembodied passed into the Indian Civil Service in the summer of that year. Archibald Douglas, like his brothers, was at Mr. A. M. Darling's, Clare House, Tonbridge. Entering the School in January 1910, he was elected to a Foundation Scholarship in the following June, and to the Judd Scholarship in June 1911. He became a House Praepostor in September 1913, and a School Praepostor and House Captain in September 1914. He also gained an open Classical Scholarship at Trinity College, Oxford, and won the prize for Latin Lyrics and the School Divinity prize in 1914 and 1915. In the O.T.C. he became a Sergeant in September 1914, C.S.M. in the following spring, and then Cadet Officer in his last Term.

On leaving School he obtained a commission in the R.F.A. (S.R.) dated July 28th 1915, and after training at Athlone went out to France in the following November, being attached to an Ammunition Column for a few weeks, and then being sent to a Battery, with which he remained till June 1916. He then became attached to the R.F.C. and served with them as an Observer till his death. He was actually gazetted as Flying Officer (Observer) October 16th 1916, the date of his death. On that day he was engaged on aerial reconnaissance over the German lines, his Pilot being another Old Tonbridgian, 2nd Lieut.Valentine F. H. Hugill (H.S. 1907-13). An aerial bombing raid was about to take place, and their task was to locate the anti-aircraft guns with a view to strafing them. All accounts agree that their machine received a direct hit from an anti-aircraft shell at a height of about 6,000 or 7,000 feet and fell completely out of control in the German lines. The account given in a letter to Dr. Hugill by a Pilot who saw what occurred is quoted in the biography of 2nd Lieut. V.F.H. Hugill. They were officially reported "missing," and it was not till March that definite news of their death was received through the Red Cross, Geneva. The official announcement that they were now known to have been killed appeared in the Casualty Lists of April 19th 1917. They had been buried together by the Germans at Copinghem, west of Lille. A brother officer wrote: - " Archie was one of the bravest and best, taking absolutely no notice of anti-aircraft gun fire to make a success of any job he had to carry out—brave even to the point of being reckless." Another said: - "He was always so cheery and happy that it did one good to be with him, and we all feel his loss very much..

2nd Lieutenant Valentine Francis Herbert Hugill 42 Squadron RFC - Killed whilst flying on this day 1916



2ND LIEUT. VALENTINE FRANCIS HERBERT HUGILL, ROYAL FUSILIERS (CITY OF LONDON REGT.), FLYING OFFICER, 42ND SQUADRON, R.F.C. KILLED IN ACTION ON AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE, E. OF ARMENTIERES, OCTOBER 16TH, 1916. AGED 22. At the School 1907—13 (Hill Side). 2nd Lieut. Valentine Francis Herbert Hugill was the only surviving son of George Frederick Hugill, M.D., of Elmfield, High Road, Balham, S. W. He came to Tonbridge School from Leas Court, Folkestone, in May, 1907, and left from the Science Fifth at Easter, 1913, having become a Corporal in the O.T.C. in the previous Michaelmas Term. After leaving School he went to Sheffield to serve an apprenticeship in order to enter his uncle's firm, Messrs. Meggeson, of London. As soon as war was declared he promptly volunteered for service as a Motor Cyclist Despatch Rider, and was attached to the R.E. He went to France in September, 1914, and was in the retreat from Mons, the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne, and several other engagements, and during this time carried a great number of despatches successfully. In the following year he obtained a commission as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant, dated June 17th, 1915, in a Reserve Service Battn. of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt.), and was stationed for several months at Shoreham. Whilst he was there his CO. wrote of him :— " This officer has undoubtedly a large fund of common sense and the ability to use it. His grasp of Ordnance detail and procedure, after the short course he had with me, is quite exceptional and, if he continues to show the same keenness that he showed while at this Depot, he should make a most useful officer." He was always keen to be sent to the Front again, and whilst at Shoreham answered a call for volunteers for the R.F.C. He was sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon, Wilts., and obtaining his Pilot's certificate was gazetted a Flying Officer, R.F.C. and transferred to the General List, August 27th, 1916. A week later he was sent to France. He had many thrilling experiences, and on one occasion his machine was riddled with shot and pieces of shell, but he managed to bring it safely back to our lines. On October 16th, 1916, he was on aerial reconnaissance over the German lines, his Observer being another Old Tonbridgian, 2nd Lieut. Archibald Douglas, R.F.A. (S.R.) (D.B. 1910—15). An aerial bombing raid was about to take place, and their task was to locate the anti-aircraft guns with a view to strafing them. A brother Pilot wrote to Dr. Hugill:— " I had been sent up to attack a hostile kite balloon which was behind the German lines, on the afternoon of October 16th, and was flying a machine exactly the same as the one your son was flying. My orders were to meet another machine over a certain town and to follow this machine. Flying at 6,000 feet over the rendezvous, I saw one of our own machines about 2,000 feet above me. It circled round me several times, and I thought it was the machine I was to follow. It went off towards the German lines and I followed about 500 yards behind. Shortly after crossing the lines the anti-aircraft guns began to fire, about fifteen or twenty shells bursting around your son's machine. The next thing I saw was your son's machine diving steeply, and at first I thought he was simply dodging the shells, but it continued to dive until it got into an absolutely vertical nose dive, and when about 500 feet from the ground something seemed to break off and the machine spun round two or three times slowly before striking the ground. The machine appeared to me to strike a house just behind the German front line trenches, but I could not see very clearly as it was getting dark, and, although I flew over the spot several times, I could see nothing further of it. The machine did not catch fire, but, judging from the way it fell, I think your son must have been hit and then fallen on the control lever, so holding the nose of the machine down, as these machines automatically come out of a dive every 200 feet if the control lever is left alone. I am indeed very sorry to say that I think it is impossible that your son can have escaped." 2nd Lieut. Hugill and 2nd Lieut. Douglas were officially reported " missing " in October, and it was not till March that definite news of their death was obtained through the Red Cross, Geneva. The official announcement that they were now known to have been killed appeared in the Casualty Lists of April 19th, 1917.

The telegram from Berlin to the Red Cross gave the date of their deaths as October 17th, but this probably means that the bodies were not found till the 17th. They were buried at Capinghem, West of Lille. His CO. wrote expressing his sympathy and his own great sense of loss, and another officer wrote :— " I am writing to-day to the fellows left in the Royal Fusiliers at Shoreham who knew your son, who I know will all be grieved to hear the bad news, for he took quite an exceptional place in the Mess and was very popular." The Pilot also whose letter has been quoted above added:— "Although your son had not been with us a very long time, he was a great favourite with every one here, principally on account of his very cheery manner, and he was always ready to do anything there was to be done, whether it was a bomb raid or a football match.

2nd Lieutenant Thomas Gibbs Gordon Sturrock 1 Squadron RFC - Died of Wounds 16 October 1916 aged 20.



Second Lieutenant Thomas Gibbs Gordon Sturrock, Royal Scots, was the son of John Sturrock, a Wholesale General Merchant, and Annie Marie Lloyd Sturrock, of 9 Links Place, Leith. He was born in Leith and worked at the Leith branch of the National Bank of
Scotland. He died on 16 October, 1916, age 20.

Lieutenant John Thompson DCM 19 Squadron RFC killed whilst taking part in an airborne raid at Ypres 16th October 1916 - Thompson becomes the 5th victim of Manfred Von Richthofen (see below)



Captain Cecil Robert Tidswell 19 Squadron RFC - 19 Squadron Royal Flying Corps mounts a bombing raid on Hermies railway station just south of the Bapaume to Cambrai road at about the midway point. Of the eight that take off two will not return. The leader of the raid Captain Cecil Robert Tidswell age 36 will be killed along with Lt. John Thompson (see above and below)



Cecil Robert Tidswell, the only son of Mr and Mrs R H Tidswell of Wimbledon and Bosmere Hall, Needham Market, was born on 22 November 1880 and educated at Harrow.

In 1900 Tidswell took a commission in 7th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps but in August the following year joined the 1/Royal Dragoons with whom he had family connections. He served with them in the Boer War, receiving the King's medal and five clasps and later spent much of his service in India where he was promoted to Captain in 1910. The Dragoons sailed for France with the Lucknow Cavalry Brigade and arrived on 7 November 1914.

Believing there was no future for the cavalry Captain Tidswell transferred to the RFC in 1916 qualifying as an observer and receiving his commission as "Captain (Flying Officer)" on 2 June. He was made Captain (Flight Commander) eight days later. Soon afterwards he qualified as a pilot "in an even shorter time" and a remark by him survives "Yesterday we were grounded because the wind blew the plane backwards." Tidswell went out to France in July.

Surprisingly, neither his squadron nor the type of aircraft have been established. On 16 October 1916 he was shot down flying solo "over the enemy lines in the neighbourhood of Bapaume" and was said to be a victim of Manfred von Richthofen, the 'Red Baron'. Tidswell was "buried where he fell in his burnt and wrecked machine by the Germans" his father later wrote, although his Service Record incorrectly states "Died (Prisoner of War)".

His father had all his letters from France printed and bound into a hard back volume of which one was given to each of Robert Tidswell's six sisters. Three months after the War ended he wrote to CWGC asking for his son's grave to remain where it was; it had been put in order by the army, a British cross had replaced the German one, and railings were being erected to protect it. Mr Tidswell's wishes were respected and he bought the ground. (His uncle had died on the first Nile Expedition and his grave and the granite headstone sent out from England still survived at Abu Simbel, so perhaps that is why he wanted his son to stay where he fell.)

Obviously fog of war time here as Von Richthofen only claims one kill on this day - lets see what he says in his own account of the day's action...

So 13 Pilots claimed kills on this day and for the Germans this meant a brand new ace - none other than Manfred Von Richthofen



Surprisingly Von Richthofen misidentified his victim for once... 05:0hrs near Ypres, BE one-seater No.6580 Daimler Motor 25188. Occupant Lieutenant Capper. Together with four planes I singled out above Bertincourt an enemy squadron at 2800 metres altitude. After 350 shots I brought down an enemy plane. The plane crashed to the ground and smashed. the motor can probably be secured.

The BE.12 that was shot down was definitely not flown by Lt. Capper, as he did not take to the skies on that day, it can only be assumed that Lt. Thompson had about his person some item that would have identified Lt. Capper (a borrowed, coat or gloves etc.) As this was Thompson's first combat patrol it is highly likely that he would have borrowed items from his new squadron mates.

Oswald Boelcke continues to run up the scores by claiming a double on this day (numbers 33 and 34 - by some way the highest scoring ace of the war at this point) B.E.2d (6745) near Hébuterne and a D.H.2 (A2542) North of Beaulencourt. The Dh.2 was flown by the RFC (Irish) ace Patrick Anthony Langan Byrne (see below) who is killed.



We do have a British Ace on this day as Captain Laurence Henry Scott MC of 20 Squadron RFC forces down (OOC) an LVG C over Dadizeele.

Other victories included:

Major Chester Stairs Dufus (Canada) (as opposed to Chester Draws obviously) kill number 3

Sergeant Frank Johnson 22 Squadron RFC (2nd victory)



Sous Lieutenant René Pierre Marie Dorme (France) claims his 14th victory by shooting down an Eindecker North of Peronne



Leutnant Hans Karl Müller of Jasta 5 claims his 6th kill by downing a Caudron South of Fleurs.

Offizierstellvertreter Leopold Rudolf Reimann of Jasta 2 claims his third kill by shooting down a BE2c South West of Thiepval



Leutnant Alfred Ulmer of Jasta 5 claims his second kill by shooting down Morane BB (A137) over Ennetieres

Lieutenant Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne (Ireland) claims his 10th and final victory flying a DH.2. After serving with the Royal Artillery, Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Having scored 10 victories as a D.H.2 pilot, he was killed in action when he was shot down by Oswald Boelke of Jasta 2.



Major George Ranald MacFarlane Reid MC & Bar(Scotland) 20 Squadron RFC claims his 8th victory on this day.



The son of George and Gertrude Reid, George Ranald MacFarlane Reid served with the 4th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was promoted to Second Lieutenant (on probation) on 15 August 1914. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1900 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Montrose on 16 October 1915. An F.E.2 pilot in 1916, he downed three enemy aircraft with 25 Squadron and six more with 20 Squadron. Appears as Major George Ronald MacFarlane Reid in the Supplement to the London Gazette of 1 January 1919 (31098/96).

finally we have a pilot claiming his first victory...

Captain Albert Earl "Steve" Godfrey (Canada) 25 Squadron RFC flying F.E.2b (4847) he shoots down a Roland West of Douai



Air Vice-Marshal Albert Earl Godfrey MC AFC (27 July 1890 –1 January 1982) was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 14 victories while flying for the Royal Flying Corps. He spent the remainder of his career in the Royal Canadian Air Force. "Steve" Godfrey was the son of Nellie and Christopher Godfrey. He was building his own airplane when World War I began. He jumped at the chance to volunteer for the Royal Flying Corps. He was told he would be accepted if he could pay for his own flight training. As he was unable to do this, he enlisted, originally in the 11th Mounted Rifles CEF in January 1915, then in the 1st Pioneer Battalion CEF of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He arrived in England in November 1915. While there, he tried to take flying lessons, but his Commanding Officer would not allow him the time off from his duties. He shipped off to France, and served in the trenches until mid-1916. He finally arranged a transfer to the RFC as an aerial observer.

Godfrey served as an observer/gunner in both 10 and 25 Squadrons, and tallied his first win by driving a Roland fighter down out of control on 16 October 1916. He then finally got his chance at pilot's training. Once he received his wings, he was assigned to 40 Squadron to fly a Nieuport. On 28 May 1917, he shared another "out of control" victory over an Albatros D.III while teaming with William Arthur Bond. Then, still using Nieuport 17 serial number B1684, between 1 June and 14 August 1917, he ran off a string of eleven wins—nine versus Albatros D.III fighters and two against two-seater reconnaissance machines. He then switched to Nieuport 24 serial number B3601 for his final win on 22 August 1917. A summary of his victories shows he destroyed four enemy planes and drove down ten out of control. This sufficed for a MC. He was then withdrawn to Home Establishment to serve in 44 and 78 Squadrons until April 1918. He then returned home to serve with the Canadian Training Brigade, which he did through war's end. In September 1926, American aviator James Dalzell McKee and Squadron Leader Godfrey flew from Montreal to Vancouver over nine days, pioneering trans-Canada aviation. Godfrey transferred from the Royal Flying Corps to the newly created Royal Canadian Air Force after World War I, and won an Air Force Cross. By the beginning of World War II, he was serving at the Imperial Defence College as a Group Captain.

He attained the rank of Air Vice-Marshal during World War II before retiring in 1944.

On this day we lost 400 men...

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Colonel George Eustace Ripley (Northamptonshire Regiment) dies on service at home at age 52. He is the son of the Reverend Canon W N Ripley.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles James Willoughby Hobbs DSO (commanding 2nd Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 40.
Major Arthur Thomas Constable (Essex Regiment) is killed at age 32. He is the son of the Reverend Thomas Constable Vicar of High Hurst.
Lieutenant Edward Mervyn Carre (Lincolnshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 22 when his BE2d is shot down east of Hebuterne. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Augustus Carre, Rector of Smarden, Kent and his two brothers will also be killed in the Great War, the first in September 1915 and the second in November 1917.
Second Lieutenant Edgar Adolph Joseph Sternberg (Royal Lancaster Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. His brother was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Private James Renwick Coutts (Cameron Highlanders) is killed at age 20. His brother will be killed in April 1917 and they both came from Chicago, Illinois to join the cause.
Private Albert Pickup (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 39. He is the middle of three brothers who will be killed in the 3½ months beginning on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and ending tomorrow.
Private Archibald James Harris (Hampshire Regiment) is killed at age 25 less than one month before his brother is killed.

Matron Elizabeth Kelly Parker (Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service dies on service. She is the daughter of Joseph Donaldson Parker JP

Tunstill's Men: A quiet day was spent cleaning and checking clothing and equipment.

Capt. **** Bolton (see 12th October) returned to France on the expiry of his extended leave. Bolton was now one of only four officers remaining with the Battalion from those who had originally arrived in France less than fourteen months earlier. The others were Major Robert Harwar Gill (see 12th October), Lt. Leonard Norman Phillips (see 15th October), the Battalion Quartermaster Lt. Daniel William Paris Foster (see 4th July) and the Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Wilfred L. Henderson (see 13th June). Official confirmation of the death of Pte. Percy Hodgson (see 13th October) reached his family in Tosside; he had been severely wounded at Le Sars, and had died three days previously at no.2 General Hospital, Rouen.

A Medical Board assembled at the Military Hospital, York considered the case of Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 7th October) who had been on sick leave since injuring his right knee when falling from his horse near Amiens in September. The Board found that “he still has some pain and slight swelling of the right knee and walks with a limp.” Tunstill was deemed to be unfit for any service for a further month, at which point another medical board would be convened to review his case.

2Lt. Howard Thurston Hodgkinson (see 13th October) who had three days earlier been admitted to 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester for treatment for phlebitis, was discharged and granted sick leave to 6th November. The Lieutenant Colonel in the RAMC who had been treating him later stated, “This officer was under my medical charge during the three days he was in hospital here. I do not think that varicose veins were then present (at any rate in any marked degree). If so I would certainly have made a note of their presence and, as I remember the case, I could find no physical signs of the trouble for which he was transferred to England”.

Middle East
Arabia: Captain T E Lawrence of Arab Bureau lands at Jeddah from HMS Lama; meets Abdulla and Ali (October 17). So far Arabs have received 3,260 rifles, 32 MGs, 16 guns and 3,344t of food.



The Arab Revolt: The Revolt began in June 1916 and after a few initial successes bogged down, with a real risk the Ottoman forces would advance along the coast of the Red Sea and recapture Mecca.[49]

In October 1916 Lawrence was sent to the Hejaz on an intelligence-gathering mission led by Ronald Storrs.[50] He visited and interviewed three of Sharif Hussein's sons: Ali, Abdullah, and Faisal.[51] He concluded that Faisal was the best candidate to lead the Arab Revolt. In November, it was decided to assign S. F. Newcombe to lead a permanent British liaison to Faisal's staff. As Newcombe had not yet arrived in the area and the matter was of some urgency, Lawrence was sent in his place. In late December 1916, Faisal and Lawrence worked out a plan for repositioning the Arab forces in a way that prevented the Ottoman forces around Medina from threatening Arab positions and put the railway from Syria under threat. When Newcombe arrived and Lawrence was preparing to leave Arabia, Faisal intervened urgently, asking that Lawrence's assignment become permanent. Lawrence remained attached to Faisal's forces until the fall of Damascus in 1918.

Lawrence's most important contributions to the Arab Revolt were in the area of strategy and liaison with British armed forces but he also participated personally in several military engagements: It is this publications intention to feature each and every one of these as we work through 1917.....

Eastern Front
Pripet – Last blow of Brusilov Offensive: Gourko’s Special Army attacks on 12*-mile front towards Vladimir*-Volinski (until October 17) but German artillery too powerful.
Carpathi*ans: Austrian Seventh Army attacks Russo-Rumanian junction, Germans take Gyimen Pass (2364ft). Austro-German mountain troops fail to breakout across Rotenturm Pass (until October 18).

Air War
Somme: 5 Anglo-French aircraft destroy 2 German aircraft, extensive RFC night bombing.

Neutrals
Greece: Allies land reinforcements to keep order after anti-Allied Athens demos (October 15) and seize 3 more Greek warships.

we will end on a sad and sombre note, with a subject that really does divide opinion and something that living in times when all out war is not a daily occurrence most of us cannot understand ....



At dawn on October 16, 1916, Private Henry Farr of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) is executed for cowardice after he refused to go forward into the front-line trenches on the Western Front during World War I.

After joining the BEF in 1914, Farr was sent to the front in France; the following May, he collapsed, shaking, and was sent to a hospital for treatment. He returned to the battlefield and participated in the Somme Offensive. In mid-September 1916, however, Farr refused to go ahead into the trenches with the rest of his squadron; after being dragged forward, struggling, he broke away and ran back. He was subsequently court-martialed for cowardice and given a death sentence, which was carried out on October 16.

Farr was one of 306 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth who were executed for cowardice during the Great War. According to his descendants, who have fought a long battle to clear his name, Farr suffered from severe shell-shock, a condition that was just being recognized at the time, and had been damaged both physically and psychologically by his experience of combat, especially the repeated heavy bombardments to which he and his comrades at the front had been subjected. The symptoms of “shell-shock”—a term first used in 1917 by a medical officer named Charles Myers—included debilitating anxiety, persistent nightmares and physical afflictions ranging from diarrhea to loss of sight. By the end of World War I, the British army had been forced to deal with 80,000 cases of this affliction, including among soldiers who had never experienced a direct bombardment. Despite undergoing treatment, only one-fifth of the men affected ever resumed military duty.

Several successive governments rejected pleas from Farr’s family and others for their loved ones to be pardoned and honored alongside the rest of those soldiers killed in World War I. Finally, in August 2006, after a 14-year struggle, the British High Court granted a pardon to Farr; hours after informing Farr’s family of its verdict, the government announced it would seek Parliament’s approval to pardon all 306 soldiers executed for cowardice during World War I.

Harry Farr was born in 1891. He joined the British Army on 8 May 1908, enlisting at Hursely Park. He deployed with the 2nd Battalion of his regiment as part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914 and fought in the trenches on the Western Front. His position was repeatedly shelled, and in May 1915 he collapsed with strong convulsions. His wife Gertrude recalled that while he was in hospital, “He shook all the time. He couldn't stand the noise of the guns. We got a letter from him, but it was in a stranger's handwriting. He could write perfectly well, but couldn't hold the pen because his hand was shaking.”

It is now thought by professionals that Farr was possibly suffering from hyperacusis, which occurs when the olivocochlear bundle in the inner ear is damaged by sound causing it to lose its ability to soften and filter sound, making loud noises physically unbearable (auditory efferent dysfunction). Despite this, Farr was discharged from hospital and sent back to the front with the 1st Battalion, where he fought in the Battle of the Somme. Farr reported himself to the medical station several times over the following months. In April 1916, he was kept at the medical station for a fortnight due to his state. On 22 July he spent the night at a medical station and was discharged for duty the following morning. On 17 September, he again attempted to seek the help of a medical orderly, but was refused as he was not physically wounded and the aid station was dealing with a high number of battle casualties.

Farr reported for duty at the transport lines at 8pm that evening, but went missing shortly afterwards. Upon being found at 11pm, he refused to return to the front line. He was subsequently arrested for disobeying orders and on 1 October Farr was subjected to a court martial at Ville-sur-Ancre. Farr had to defend himself. He was tried under an accusation of 'misbehaving before the enemy in such a manner as to show cowardice'. The court martial, presided over by Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Spring, lasted only twenty minutes and questions have subsequently been raised about its competence. Spring found Farr guilty and recommended a sentence of death by firing squad. General Sir Douglas Haig signed his death warrant and he was shot at 6.00am on 18 October 1916 near Carnoy.His family have always argued that he was suffering from shell shock at the time.

In an interesting postscript - the Rock Band 'Stray' wrote a song about Harry (lyrics below) it is featured on their 2009 album - Valhalla

HARRY FARR

September dawn 1916, he stood before his executioners
With head held high, refusing a blindfold
Faced the guns, a coward? No not I!
Harry Farr, prepared to say goodbye.
Harry Farr, looked them in the eye.

He'd seen so much while fighting on the Somme.
He wished that soon he could be back home.
Harry Farr, prepared to say goodbye
Harry Farr looked them in the eye

Freedom came at last, many years have past
A pardon for the man
Freedom came too late - oh such a waste
Has justice been done?

As the clouds of smoke disappear
and the sound of guns recede.
The memories of 300 men - a statue stands alone in the field.
Harry Farr, prepared to say goodbye
Harry Farr looked them in the eye

Freedom came at last, many years have past
A pardon for the man
Freedom came too late - oh such a waste
Has justice been done?

Well worth a listen - and if you do remember Harry...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTUDJtSIyVM

[Flying Officer Kyte]

This is already growing into a bumper issue Chris.
Rob.

[Mike George]

Thanks for your time, it was a good read. Wish I could give you reputation points but you must wait. You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Hedeby again

[Hedeby]

Thanks anyway Mike - happy readers is what makes everything worthwhile.

[zenlizard]

Harry Farr's story was especially worth telling.

[Hedeby]

Image that accompanies the song Harry Farr by The Stray

[Hedeby]

17th October 1916

Another poor day for the RFC another busy day for the typesetters and printers of the Sniper's Times - following on from yesterday's posts - that Harry Farr track is brilliant (if you like classic heavy rock)

8 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 17TH 1916

Lieutenant William Powell Bowman 11 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day in 1916. He was flying FE2b 7670 when he was shot down and killed.



Lieutenant George Clayton 11 Squadron RFC - Killed in action on this day in 1916. He was flying FE2b 7670 when he was shot down and killed. He was buried alongside William Bowman (see above)

Lieutenant Patrick Allen Anthony Byrne DSO 24 Squadron RFC Killed in Action 17 October 1916 aged 21. After serving with the Royal Artillery, Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Having scored 10 victories as a D.H.2 pilot, he was killed in action when he was shot down by Oswald Boelke of Jasta 2.



Lieutenant Phillip Challinor Ellis No 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Highland Light Infantry. Lt Ellis served initially with the Highland Light Infantry before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps.Together with 2 Lieutenant C C Godwin, Lt Ellis went missing, aged 23, during flying operations on 17 October 1916. His body, together with that of Lt Godwin, was subsequently located. Both are buried at Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue.


2nd Lieutenant C.C. Godwin No 1 Squadron RFC - He went missing, during flying operations on 17 October 1916. He is buried with Lt. Ellis (see above) at PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE NORD FRANCE

I seem to have lost the link to enable to pick up the remaining 4 chaps - hopefully it will return before i have to save and exit - apologies if not.


There were again several aerial victory claims on this day

Captain Arthur Gerald "Gerry" Knight (Canada) he claimed his 6th kill when flying D.H.2 (5931 he forced down OOC a Roland C.II over Beaumetz. Although little known he was to have a huge impact on the air war on the Western Front - The son of Arthur Cecil Knight, Arthur Gerald Knight was studying Applied Science at the Upper Canada College when he was appointed to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. On 28 October 1916, Knight and Alfred McKay were on patrol over the Somme when they were attacked by Oswald Boelcke. In the ensuing battle, Boelcke was killed when his Albatros collided with that of Erwin Böhme. Two months later, Knight was killed when his D.H.2 was shot down by an Albatros D.II flown by Manfred von Richthofen. Knight was the Red Baron's 13th victim.



Major Stephen William Price 11 Squadron RFC claims his 6th victory on this day. From the 8th Leicestershire Regiment, Stephen William Price transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. "B" Flight commander with 11 Squadron. Flying the F.E.2b, he scored 6 of 7 victories with Frederick Libby as his observer. Served as commanding officer of 83 Squadron. Later became a solicitor and served as an Under-Sheriff of London, 1935-1936.



Racking up kill number 35 and in an unbelievably hot streak at the moment we have Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke of Jasta 2, who shot down Lieutenant Patrick Allen Anthony Byrne DSO in an Fe2b. Its strange to think that in only 9 days time Boelcke himself will be killed and will pass into legend...



Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier also of Jasta 2 claims his 4th kill. After transferring from the infantry to the German Air Service, Kirmaier served with FA(A) 203 before joining KEK J in 1916. Here he scored three victories, including one balloon, during the month of July. On 5 October 1916, he was reassigned to Jasta 2 under Oswald Boelcke. Toward the end of the month, Boelcke was killed and Kirmaier assumed command of Jasta 2. Less than a month later, in a dogfight with two of 24 Squadron's D.H.2s, Kirmaier was killed in action when his Albatros D.II was shot down by Kelvin Crawford and John Andrews.




Leutnant Gustav Leffers of Jasta 1 claims his 8th kill of the war an F.E.2b shot down over Bapaume-Mory. Like Boelcke and Kirmaier the sands of time are also running out and with three weeks he too will be dead.



Leutnant Renatus Theiller claims his 3rd kill flying one of the new Albatrosses of Jasta 5



Captain Frederick Libby (USA) of 11 Squadron RFC claims his 9th kill whilst flying F.E.2b (7027) by downing an Albatros D.I (OOC) over Mory.



On this day we lost 442 men

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Second Lieutenant Kelyth Pierce Lloyd-Williams (Welsh Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. He is the only son of Dr W Lloyd-Williams Justice of the Peace.
Second Lieutenant Patrick Anthony Laugan Byrne DSO (Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 21. He is a ten victory ace who is shot down by Oswald Boelcke.
Lance Corporal William Musson (Sherwood Foresters) is killed. His brother will be killed in April 1917.
Private Ernest Pickup (Cameronians) is killed at age 21. His two brothers were killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and yesterday.

Tunstill's men: In the morning the Battalion was inspected by Brigadier General T.S. Lambert (see passim), commanding 69th Brigade, who gave a short speech congratulating them on the part they had played on the Somme. He also “spoke of the work which was to be done in the trenches we are about to take over”. Lt. Dobson from 69th Field Ambulance was temporarily attached to the Battalion; most likely Battalion Medical Officer Capt. Cecil Berry (see 11th March) was on leave.

One man from 10DWR, though not from Tunstill’s original volunteers, died from wounds. Michael Devers had enlisted and served under the name ‘Davis’; he had originally served with 2DWR but had been transferred to 10DWR. When he had been wounded has not been established, but he died at Lord Derby’s War Hospital in Warrington; he would be buried at Stoney Royd Cemetery in Halifax. Nathan Swale, father of Cpl. Fred Swale (see 6th October) died at his home; his death came suddenly, although he had been ill and unable to work for the previous year. He was well-known in his home village of Austwick and had worked for many years as a joiner.

The War Office wrote to the family of Pte. Edwin Isherwood (see 10th October) with confirmation that he had been killed in action. His death would be reported in the Slaidburn and Dale Head Parish Magazine, “You will all, I know, be grieved at the death of Private Edwin Isherwood. Some of you will remember the first batch of recruits to leave our village on a fine Saturday morning early in the war. We commended them to God at the little impromptu open-air service and we wished them good luck in His Name. Only one of that little company is till fighting for us, viz. Charles Edward Parker (see 10th October). Three are dead (Pte. Joshua Crossley, see 12th April 1915, and Pte. Walter Isherwood, see 14th April 1915), one is wounded (Pte. George Whitfield, see 10th October) and one is at home unfit for service (Pte. Abel Moore, see 15th June 1915). Edwin Isherwood, who was one of the recruits mentioned, is the latest to fall. He was a very nice boy and his sojourn in the Army seemed to develop all the good points in his character. His letters were always cheerful and he was, beyond doubt, a good and brave soldier. With his sorrowing mother and relatives we do indeed sympathise. She and they are bearing the trial bravely and are showing to us all a fine spirit. God bless them. Before this letter gets into your hands we shall have held a memorials service for him. Your prayers for his mother, brothers and sisters will be greatly valued.”



Meanwhile over at Verdun things were building up ready for the next big push... After being persuaded by the Crown Prince the first measure General Ludendorff takes is ending the German activities at Verdun, unfortunately the taken course cannot be given up. The French are not even considering stopping the battle. They continue to attack German fortifications, which are usually difficult to defend and this is the reason the Germans suffer more losses than the French.

The French Army Command is determined to beat the Germans for the last time. The major attack is prepared in great detail. The right riverbank of the Meuse changes into an enormous construction site: roads and artillery fortifications are constructed and large supplies of ammunition are stored. General Mangin has eight divisions available, which are trained in the hinterland, in a mock battlefield complete with forts.

General Nivelle develops a new artillery tactic: the creeping barrage. With this the infantry marches on right behind the solid artillery fire, which is moved to the front, leaping a 100 metres at a time. Attack troops and shellfire reach the enemy lines almost simultaneously and the defence will no longer have time to appear from their bunkers. This new method requires a perfect co-ordination between artillery and infantry: to obtain this, an especially designed underground telephone network is laid out. On top of that Nivelle can make use of the 400-mm Creusot-Schneider guns, which have an enormous penetrating capacity. They are placed on rails 6 kilometres from Verdun and have to fire at the forts.


Hindenburg, Kaiser Wilhelm and Ludendorff in Stenay

Sea War
Adriatic: Italian SS Bermuda rams and sinks Austrian U16, after latter sinks Italian destroyer Nembo off Albania.

Eastern Front
Rumania: Austrian VI Corps reaches Agas 8 miles inside frontier, but Austrians beaten in Uzul Valley (and on October 27).

Neutrals
China: German envoy Hentig enters, returns home (arriving June 9, 1917) via USA.

We shall end today's edition with the commissioning of one of the most famous Battleships ever to fly the American flag (alas for all the wrong reasons)



USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship built for and by the United States Navy in the mid-1910s. Named in honor of the 48th state's recent admission into the union, the ship was the second and last of the Pennsylvania class of "super-dreadnought" battleships. Although commissioned in 1916, the ship remained stateside during World War I. Shortly after the end of the war, Arizona was one of a number of American ships that briefly escorted President Woodrow Wilson to the Paris Peace Conference. The ship was sent to Turkey in 1919 at the beginning of the Greco-Turkish War to represent American interests for several months. Several years later, she was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and remained there for the rest of her career.

Aside from a comprehensive modernization in 1929–31, Arizona was regularly used for training exercises between the wars, including the annual Fleet Problems (training exercises). When an earthquake struck Long Beach, California, in 1933, Arizona's crew provided aid to the survivors. Two years later, the ship was featured in a Jimmy Cagney film, Here Comes the Navy, about the romantic troubles of a sailor. In April 1940, she and the rest of the Pacific Fleet were transferred from California to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a deterrent to Japanese imperialism. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Arizona was bombed. After a bomb detonated in a powder magazine, the battleship exploded violently and sank, killing 1,177 officers and crewmen. Unlike many of the other ships sunk or damaged that day, Arizona was irreparably damaged by the force of the magazine explosion, though the Navy removed parts of the ship for reuse. The wreck still lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, dedicated on 30 May 1962 to all those who died during the attack, straddles the ship's hull.



The keel of battleship number 39 was laid on the morning of 16 March 1914 with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt in attendance. The builders intended to set a world-record ten months between the ship's keel-laying and launch, for what the New York Times declared would be "the world's biggest and most powerful, both offensively and defensively, superdreadnought ever constructed," but the ship was only a little over half complete a year later. She was launched on 19 June 1915, making it about fifteen months from keel-laying to launch. In the meantime, the ship was named after the newest state in the union by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. The New York Times estimated that 75,000 people attended the launch, including John Purroy Mitchel, the mayor of New York City, George W. P. Hunt, the governor of Arizona, and many high-ranking military officials. Several warships were also nearby, including many of the new dreadnoughts which had already entered service (Florida, Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, New York, and Texas). Esther Ross, the daughter of an Arizona pioneer family, was given the honors of ship sponsor and christening. To acknowledge a ban on alcohol recently passed by the state legislature, the state's governor decided that two bottles would be used: one full of sparkling wine from Ohio, and another filled with water from the Roosevelt Dam. After the launch, Arizona was towed to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for fitting-out. Arizona was commissioned into the Navy on 17 October 1916 with John D. McDonald as captain. She departed New York on 10 November 1916 after the crew had cleaned the ship and the propulsion system had been tested at the dock. After declinating the ship's magnetic compasses, the ship sailed south for her shakedown cruise. Outside Guantanamo Bay, a stripped turbine on 7 December forced the navy to order Arizona back to New York for repairs, although she was able to enter Chesapeake Bay to test her main and secondary gun batteries on 19–20 December. The turbine could not be repaired inside the ship, so the yard workers had to cut holes in the upper decks to lift the damaged casing out. It was reinstalled after almost four months of repairs at the naval yard.

Arizona left the yard on 3 April 1917, and three days later, the United States declared war on Germany. Assigned to Battleship Division 8 operating out of the York River, Arizona was only employed as a gunnery training ship for the crewmen on armed merchant vessels crossing the Atlantic in convoys. Shortly after the war began, eight of her 5-inch guns (the four guns farthest forward and the sternmost four guns) were removed to equip merchant ships. When the ship sailed near the wreck of the old San Marcos (ex-Texas), the wreck was sometimes used as a target for the 14-inch guns. Arizona rarely ventured into the ocean for fear of U-boats, and when she did, it was only in the company of other battleships and escort ships. Four coal-fired American dreadnoughts were eventually sent across the Atlantic in December 1917 as Battleship Division Nine, but Arizona was not among them, as it was easier to obtain coal than oil in the United Kingdom. Life for Arizona's crew was not all training as the race-boat team from Arizona was able to win the Battenberg Cup in July 1918 by beating the team from Nevada by three lengths over the three-mile course.

The fighting ended on 11 November 1918 with an armistice. A week later, the ship left the United States for the United Kingdom, arriving on 30 November 1918. After two weeks berthed at Portland Harbor, Arizona sailed for France. On 13 December 1918, Arizona joined nine battleships and twenty-eight destroyers escorting President Woodrow Wilson on the ocean liner George Washington into Brest for one day on Wilson's journey to the Paris Peace Conference. The ten battleships departed France the next day, taking less than two weeks to cross the Atlantic, and arrived in New York on 26 December to parades, celebrations, and a full naval review by Secretary Daniels. Arizona was the first in line and rendered a nineteen-gun salute to Daniels. Along with many of the other members of the recently returned fleet, she was anchored off New York City for the next several weeks and open to the public.



Shortly before 08:00 local time on 7 December 1941, Japanese aircraft from six aircraft carriers struck the Pacific Fleet as it lay in port at Pearl Harbor, and wrought devastation on the warships and the facilities defending Hawaii. On board Arizona, the ship's air raid alarm went off at about 07:55, and the ship went to general quarters soon after. Shortly after 08:00, 10 Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers, five each from the carriers Kaga and Hiryū, attacked Arizona. All of the aircraft were carrying 410-millimeter (16.1 in) armor-piercing shells modified into 797-kilogram (1,757 lb) bombs. Flying at an estimated altitude of 3,000 meters (9,800 ft), Kaga's aircraft bombed Arizona from amidships to stern. Soon after, Hiryu's bombers hit the bow area.[45]

The aircraft scored four hits and three near misses on and around Arizona. The near miss off the port bow is believed to have caused observers to believe that the ship had been torpedoed, although no torpedo damage has been found. The sternmost bomb ricocheted off the face of Turret IV and penetrated the deck to detonate in the captain's pantry, causing a small fire. The next forwardmost hit was near the port edge of the ship, abreast the mainmast, probably detonating in the area of the anti-torpedo bulkhead. The next bomb struck near the port rear 5-inch AA gun. The last bomb hit at 08:06 in the vicinity of Turret II, likely penetrating the armored deck near the ammunition magazines located in the forward section of the ship. While not enough of the ship is intact to judge the exact location, its effects are indisputable: about seven seconds after the hit, the forward magazines detonated in a cataclysmic explosion, mostly venting through the sides of the ship and destroying much of the interior structure of the forward part of the ship. This caused the forward turrets and conning tower to collapse downward some 25–30 feet (7.6–9.1 m) and the foremast and funnel to collapse forward.[48] The explosion killed 1,177 of the 1,512 crewmen on board at the time, over half of the lives lost during the attack. It touched off fierce fires that burned for two days; debris showered down on Ford Island in the vicinity. The blast from this explosion also put out fires on the repair ship Vestal, which was moored alongside.

Two competing theories have arisen about the cause of the explosion. The first is that the bomb detonated in or near the black powder magazine used for the ship's saluting guns and catapult charges. This would have detonated first and then ignited the smokeless powder magazines which was used for the ship's main armament. A 1944 Navy Bureau of Ships report suggests that a hatch leading to the black powder magazine was left open, possibly with flammable materials stocked nearby. The Naval History and Heritage Command explained that black powder might have been stockpiled outside the armored magazine.[50] The alternative explanation is that the bomb penetrated the armored decks and detonated directly inside one of the starboard magazines for the main armament, but smokeless powder is relatively difficult to detonate. Thus the 14-inch powder bags required a black powder pad to quickly ignite the powder. The time elapsed from the bomb hit to the magazine explosion was shorter than experience suggested burning smokeless powder required to explode. It seems unlikely that a definitive answer to this question will ever be found, as the surviving physical evidence is insufficient to determine the cause of the magazine explosion.



The wreck of Arizona remains at Pearl Harbor to commemorate the men of her crew lost that December morning in 1941. On 7 March 1950, Admiral Arthur W. Radford, commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet at that time, instituted the raising of colors over her remains. Legislation during the administrations of presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy resulted in the designation of the wreck as a national shrine in 1962. A memorial was built across the ship's sunken remains, including a shrine room listing the names of the lost crew members on a marble wall. The national memorial was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 15 October 1966. The ship herself was designated a National Historic Landmark on 5 May 1989. Upon their death, survivors of the attack may have their ashes placed within the ship, among their fallen comrades. Veterans who served aboard the ship at other times may have their ashes scattered in the water above the ship

[Hedeby]

Harry Farr's story was especially worth telling.

Thanks Sam

[Hedeby]

Another edition in installments this evening as I have promised to help a mate move house, so I will be fitting this in around that and dinner...

Could do with a quiet one after the past few days - so lets see....

2 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18TH 1916 (now that is an improvement on recent days where we have seen more losses than even Billy Bishop could count)

Air Mechanic 2nd Class Walter Morris Empson Recruits Depot RFC - Died of pneumonia 18 October 1916

2nd Lieutenant Ernest Hildreth 35 Squadron RFC - Killed while flying 18 October 1916 aged 28. The following information has been kindly contributed by Ray Wilkins of Middlesbrough.

On the 3rd of April 1908 Ernest Hildreth enlisted in the 4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment and was given the Number 172.
The Government Act establishing the Territorial Force came into force the same month.
The Army Form below shows that he re-engaged for a further year in 1909 and a further 2 years in 1910.
Ernest was born in 1889 in Middlesbrough, N Yorks and lived there at 22 Church Street with his Mother Eliza, who came from North Ormesby, N Yorks and his Father, Henry, who came from Darlington, Co Durham.
By the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his widowed Mother at 10 Turner Street, Redcar, N Yorks and working for the local Iron and Steel firm of Dorman Long as a Clerk in a Galvanising Works.
For some reason by the time War was declared in August 1914 Ernest's service with the 4th Yorks seems to have terminated and at some time he re-enlisted in the 14th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. This Unit was initially based in Middlesbrough and supplying drafts for Overseas Battalions. Again at some unknown date he must have volunteered for the Royal Flying Corps. In the September Quarter of 1916 he married at Stockton, Co Durham Eleanor Inglis.Trainees in the Royal Flying Corps usually began as Observers. On the 18th October 1916, he was flying in this capacity with Pilot, Second Lieutenant Edwards at Narborough Aerodrome, Norfolk when their RE7 aeroplane developed problems and crashed. Pilot Edwards survived, but Ernest Hildreth was killed. He is buried in Narborough [All Saints] Churchyard.



Royal Aircraft Experimental Reconnaissance RE-7



Well I wished for a quieter day and it looks like I have got one.. only two aerial victory claims today and one of those a first time..

Claiming his first kill we have Tenente Colonnello Pier Ruggero Piccio of the Italian Air Service - he opened his account by downing a Balloon over Selo



Lieutenant General Count Pier Ruggero Piccio (27 September 1880 – 30 July 1965) was an Italian aviator and the founding Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force. With 24 victories during his career, he is one of the principal Italian air aces of World War I, behind only Count Francesco Baracca and Tenente Silvio Scaroni. Piccio rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and in later years, became a Roman senator under the Fascists before and during World War II. Pier Ruggero Piccio was born in Rome on 27 September 1880, to Giacomo Piccio and Caterina Locatelli. He attended the Military Academy of Modena, enrolling on October 29, 1898. He graduated on September 8, 1900, as a sottotenente (second lieutenant)assigned to the 43rd Infantry Regiment.

In 1903, stultified by garrison duty, he had himself seconded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At that time, Italy and Belgium had an agreement to allow for exchange duty between their militaries; Piccio's aim was service in the Belgian Congo. From 5 November 1903 until 17 February 1907, he was engaged in a mission to Kalambari, Africa. His return from Africa took him via Paris, where he managed to spend his three years' savings in a few days revelry. Upon his return to Italy, he shipped out again for foreign duty. He spent from 13 March 1908 to 31 July 1909 assigned to the 2nd Mixed Company of Crete. From November 14, 1911 through December 2, 1912, he served in the Italo-Turkish War (also sometimes called the Libyan War because Libya became an Italian protectorate as a result of the conflict). This war was notable for the first use of aircraft in battle, although the pioneer events of aerial reconnaissance and bombing occurred just before Piccio's arrival.Piccio's duty station was with an artillery unit belonging to the 37th Infantry. During this service, while commanding a machine gun section, he was decorated with the Bronze Medal for Military Valor during February 1912. On 31 March 1913, Piccio was transferred to the 19th Infantry at the rank of captain. Then finally one of his attempts to attend aviation training succeeded; he was approved to attend the Malpensa flying school. On 27 July 1913, he qualified as a pilot upon Nieuport monoplanes. After further training, he also qualified on 25 October to pilot Caproni bombers. He was then assigned to command 5a Squadriglia Aeroplani. On 31 December 1914, as Europe settled into the bitter trench warfare of World War I, Piccio was knighted in the Order of the Crown of Italy

Italy organized its air assets into the Corpo Aeronautico Militare in January 1915. When Italy entered World War I in May 1915, Piccio went into combat. For his reconnaissance flights from May–August 1915, during which his craft was hit upon several occasions, he was again decorated with the Bronze Medal of Military Valor. In August, he was posted to Malpensa for additional training on Caproni bombers. After graduation, Piccio became commander of Squadriglia 3, which operated Capronis. Piccio commanded this squadron until February 1916.

He spent March–April 1916 in Paris upgrading his Nieuport fighter skills. On 31 May 1916 he assumed command of the brand new 77a Squadriglia, a Nieuport fighter squadron stationed at Istrana, near Venice. On 18 October 1916, he scored his first aerial victory, over an enemy observation balloon. The enterprising Piccio persuaded a nearby French escadrille into "loaning" him the latest in anti-balloon firepower, Le Prieur rockets–the loan being conditional upon French pilots partaking in the balloon busting expedition. Somehow, the flight line chauffeur was uncharacteristically late with the French pilots that day, and Piccio departed before their arrival. The subsequent victory won Piccio a Silver Medal for Military Valor for the hazardous combat duty of shooting a German observation balloon down in flames. On 26 January 1917, he was promoted to major.On 15 April 1917, he was transferred to command the 10o Gruppo. The group consisted of 91a Squadriglia, commanded by Francesco Baracca, in addition to the 77a Squadriglia. Piccio flew with either of the two squadrons within the group; though he spent the majority of his time with 77a, he tended to credit his victories to 91a, the "squadron of aces".

On 20 May 1917, flying with the 91a Squadriglia, he shot down an Albatros to restart his victory tally. By June 29, he was an ace. He continued to score, and on 2 August 1917, he caught Austro-Hungarian pilot Frank Linke-Crawford flying a two-seater without a rear gunner and shot him down for victory number eight. However, Linke-Crawford survived uninjured. Piccio accumulated successes until his double wins of October 25, 1917, at which time his tally was up to 17. It was during this stretch of time he transferred from the Nieuport he had been flying, to a Spad adorned with a black flag painted on the fuselage. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in October, 1917, being placed first in command of the "Fighter Mass", then as Inspector of Fighter Squadrons. Once again, there was a break in his victory string. It wasn't until seven months later, on May 26, 1918, that he resumed his winning ways. He followed up with a victory in July, three in August, and an unconfirmed win on 29 September 1918. In the meantime, in the summer of 1918, he had become Inspector of Fighter Units. He seized the opportunity to reorganize the fighter squadrons. He instituted formation flying and patrol discipline; he codified the first Italian manual of air tactics. He was also decorated again, this time with the Gold Medal of Military Valor for his leadership skills, as well as a Silver Medal of Military Valor.

Piccio had his fighter squadrons massed against the final Austro-Hungarian offensive in June 1918. They gained immediate air supremacy over the Luftfahrtruppen; the Austro-Hungarians called this dismal time the "Black Weeks" for good reason. They lost 22 percent of their pilots, 19 percent of their observers, and an appalling 41 percent of their aircraft between 15 and 24 June 1918. For all practical purposes, it was the effective end of the Austro-Hungarian air arm. The invaders' infantry now faced bombing and strafing from the air whenever there was flying weather. Piccio was shot down and captured on 27 October 1918. He was flying a ground attack mission into a storm of enemy ground fire, leading from the front as always, when he took a round in the engine and glided into captivity. He ended the war with 24 solidly confirmed victories. On November 4, the day of the Austro-Hungarian armistice, Piccio returned, having slipped out of the collapsing Empire in an enemy overcoat.



The other claimant on the day was Praporshik Vasili Ivanovich Yanchenko of the Imperial Russian Air Service Russian Volunteer Army who claims his third kill by downing an enemy aircraft over Lipitsa.



On this day we lost 993 men

Casualties are sustained in an attack at Gueudecourt when the Norfolk Regiment is able to seize a German trench (Mild Trench) and hold it against sustained counter-attacks. Second Lieutenant Harold John Badcock (Norfolk Regiment) killed at age 28. He is the son of the principal teacher at Boxmoore School House.

Today's casualties include...

Captain Edward Percy Wallis (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 22. He is a Rosslyn Park Rugby footballer.
Captain Alexander Ellice (Cameron Highlanders) is killed in action at age 21. His brothers were killed on HMS Bulwark in 1914 and in September 1916.
Lieutenant Arthur Edmund Owen (Northamptonshire Regiment attached Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur F Owen.
Lieutenant John Handyside (Liverpool Regiment) dies of wounds while rallying his men during an attack at age 33. His is a distinguished graduate of Edinburgh and Exford and since 1912 has been a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Liverpool. He will be published posthumously.
Lieutenant Andrew Montgomery Rees (Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend Robert Montgomery Rees.
Second Lieutenant Robert Arthur Cecil Mathews (East Lancashire Regiment) is killed at age 20. His brother was killed in November 1914.
Second Lieutenant George Kenward Elton (Hampshire Regiment) is killed at age 18. He is the son of the Reverend George Goodenough Elton Vicar of Nether Wallop.
Second Lieutenant Duncan Colvin McColl (Cameron Highlanders) is killed at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend John McColl.
Second Lieutenant Kenneth Overend Howard Smith-Howard (Royal Sussex Regiment) is killed in action at age 23. He had been an ordination candidate prior to the war.
Second Lieutenant John Follamsbee Bredin Delap (Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Louis Bredin Delap Vicar of Benhall.
Second Lieutenant Errol Victor Tatham (South African Infantry) is killed at age 24. He is the son of Lieutenant Colonel the Honorable F S Tatham DSO who lost another son three days ago when submarine H3 is lost.

Tunstill's men: The day was very wet and the heavy rain would continue through the night (might explain the lack of flying - editor). During the morning the Battalion was placed at the disposal of Company Commanders who carried out drill, inspections and other routine tasks. “After dinner the men were at liberty to do so as they pleased” and Poperinghe provided the means for men to relieve some of the stresses which they had experienced in recent weeks. CQMS Frank Stephenson (see 14th October) was promoted Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. His post as Company Quartermaster Sergeant with ‘A’ Company went to Cpl. Maurice Harcourt Denham (see 19th June). Denham was given the post initially as acting CQMS; he would be confirmed in his new post ten days later.



A Medical Board was convened at Osborne Hospital, Isle of Wight to consider the case of Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 13th October) who had been admitted four days previously for treatment for shellshock. The Board found that, “He is already much better – is sleeping well and has no neurasthenic symptoms – should be fit after further rest”. He was granted one months leave, on the expiry of which he would be re-examined. The award of the Meritorious Service Medal to Sgt. William Edward Gibson (see 7th April 1915) was officially published in the London Gazette; the circumstances under which the award was earned are, as yet, unknown.


Gibson standing far right

Politics
Germany: Austrian Baron Burian suggests peace initiative to Bethmann at Pless, Kaiser approves it on October 25. Both ministers also agree to proclaim Polish independence as soon as possible.
France: Dr Benes achieves an agreement with French to separate Czech PoWs from other Austrian ones.

Western Front
Battle of the Somme – Battle of the Transloy Ridges ends: British advance from 0340 hours north of Guedecourt and French take Sailly. French XXXIII Corps (Sixth Army) attacks south of Somme to broaden French salient at La Maisonnette (southeast of Biaches), but Germans push it back on October 21. Joffre urges a continued powerful BEF offensive (Haig and Rawlinson met on October 17 and had intended to suspend operations on October 20).

Southern Fronts
Serbia: Serbs capture Veljeselo 1 1/2 miles north of Brod, repel German counter-attack (over 350 casualties, and on October 20 and 22).

Sea War
North Sea: HM submarine E38 torpedoes small German cruiser Muenchen during brief High Seas Fleet sortie, last till April 23, 1918, peters out before Dogger Bank in rough seas and Scheer’s knowing British aware of it.



SMS München ("His Majesty's Ship München")[a] was the fifth of seven Bremen-class cruisers of the Imperial German Navy, named after the city of Munich. She was built by AG Weser in Bremen, starting in 1903, launched in April 1904, and commissioned in January 1905. Armed with a main battery of ten 10.5 cm (4.1 in) guns and two 45 cm (18 in) torpedo tubes, München was capable of a top speed of 22.5 knots (41.7 km/h; 25.9 mph).

München served with the fleet for the majority of her career, and saw extensive service during World War I, including at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May – 1 June 1916. There, she engaged British light cruisers on two instances, and was damaged in both; she contributed to the damaging of the cruiser HMS Southampton during the latter engagement. München was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS E38 on 19 October 1916, and was subsequently withdrawn from service. She spent the final year of the war as a barracks ship, and was surrendered as a war prize to the British in 1920. München was later broken up for scrap.

Home Fronts
Egypt: New gold pound coinage removes Sultan of Turkey’s image.
Britain: Men of 41 called up.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Thursday 19th October 1916

Today we lost: 507

Today’s losses include:

• Two Victoria Cross holders including one which was awarded in the South African War
• A battalion commander
• The son of a Justice of the Peace
• A military Chaplain
• The son of a member of the clergy
• A Forfar East and North End footballer
• Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

Air Operations:


Royal Flying Corps Losses today: No deaths are recorded for today.


Claims: There are no claims today.


Western Front


French return of prisoners.


Somme:


Rain 4mm. 57° - 37° heavy rain during the day and especially in the morning.


The Reserve Army operation was postponed for 48 hours. There was heavy rain the night before as well as in the morning of the 19th, and the roads and ground surface are in a dreadful state.


Tunstills Men Thursday 19th October 1916:


Billets in Poperinghe


The weather turned fine, but very cold. All the men were issued with new box respirators and they would receive intensive instruction in the use of these over the next week.

One man from 10DWR, though not from Tunstill’s Company, Pte. George Tate, died of wounds at no.2 General Hospital, Le Havre; when he had been wounded has not been established. He was buried at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.

Pte. Frank Shuttleworth (see 4^th October) who had been treated in France for the past two weeks for wounds he had suffered at Le Sars, was evacuated to England; on arrival he would be admitted to Second Western General Hospital, Manchester. He would not recover sufficiently to return to active service and instead was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps. The RDC had been formed in March 1916 and was composed of soldiers either too old or medically unfit for active front-line service. The role of the corps was to provide troops for security and guard duties at home.


2Lt. George Henry Roberts (see 5^th October) who had left the Battalion two weeks earlier suffering from, “trench fever and slight debility”, was evacuated to England, from Le Havre to Southampton, onboard the hospital ship Panama.

A Medical Board considered the case of 2Lt. John Keighley Snowden (see 10^th October), who had been wounded at Le Sars. The Board noted the “multiple wounds from an exploding bomb:

Helux of right pinna (earlobe)

Right mastoid region, 1 inch long

Inner side of right calf, 2 inches

Pieces of wood were removed from all these in France. He is deaf in the right ear (he could hear quite well before).

All wounds are healing”.

He was declared unfit for service for two months, on the expiry of which he would be re-examined.

Official notice was published in the London Gazette of the award of the Military Medal to Sgt. Frederick Griggs (see 13^th October), who had been one of Tunstill’s original Company but was now serving with 2DWR. The circumstances under which Griggs gained his award are, as yet, unknown.

A payment of £69 was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late Lt. Frederick Hird (see 28^th August) who had been killed at Munster Alley. However, the payment was not issued as there was no clear statement of who was entitled to the money due to the uncertainty over Hird’s marital status.

The War Office wrote to the father of the late 2Lt. Isidore David Marks (see 19^th September) who had been killed near Contalmaison in July, with news of where his son was buried. They reported that his remains had been interred, “End of trench, just S. of Contalmaison, 3 ¾ miles E.N.E. of Albert, Map. Ref. Sheet 57d. Square X, 16.d.6.0.”. Marks’ remains were later exhumed and he was reinterred at Gordon Dump Cemetery near Pozieres.


Eastern Front:



Dobruja: Battle of Topraisar-Cobadinu (until Oct 21^st). Mackensen breaks through causing Rumanian retreat astride Russians and takes Tuzia on coast (Oct 20^th).


Southern Front:


Further Serb success north of Brod

Sharp fighting south of Pasubio (Trentino).

Austrian counter-attacks repulsed.

African, Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:


East Africa: Last German post north of Central Railway cleared. Dventer contacts Northey. German attacks in Iringa and Ruhuje River districts.


Levant: British raid and take Baharia Oasis (180 miles south west of Cairo).


Naval Operations:


Adriatic:Austria’s most successful U-Boat, U27 (first of class of 8 coastal boats), launched at Pola, commissioned February 14^th, 1917.


Shipping Losses: 11


Political:


Conference of Allies at Boulogne whereat Venizelos’ NationalPrvisional Government in Crete receives recognition.


Anniversary Events:

439		The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, take Carthage in North Africa.
1216		King John of England dies at Newark and is succeeded by his nine-year-old son Henry.
1448		The Ottoman Sultan Murat II defeats Hungarian General Janos Hunyadi at Kosovo, Serbia.
1466		The peace of Torun ends the war between the Teutonic knights and their own disaffected subjects in Prussia.
1739		England declares war on Spain over borderlines in Florida. The War is known as the War of Jenkins' Ear because the Spanish coast guards cut off the ear of British seaman Robert Jenkins.
1781		Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington and Count de Rochambeau at Yorktown, Va. Cornwallis surrenders 7,157 troops, including sick and wounded, and 840 sailors, along with 244 artillery pieces. Losses in this battle had been light on both sides. The Revolutionary War is effectively ended.
1812		Napoleon Bonaparte begins his retreat from Moscow.
1848		John "The Pathfinder" Fremont moves out from near Westport, Missouri, on his fourth Western expedition--a failed attempt to open a trail across the Rocky Mountains along the 38th parallel.
1864		At the Battle of Cedar Creek, Va., a narrow victory helps the Union secure the Shenandoah Valley.
1873		Yale, Princeton, Columbia and Rutgers universities draft the first code of football rules.
1914		The German cruiser Emden captures her thirteenth Allied merchant ship in 24 days.

SMS Emden in Tsingtau 1914.

Sub-Editors Note: Apologies for the break in normal services but Squadron Leader Hederby is otherwise engaged. Rumour has it the WingCo has told him to attend a mess dinner, in his abscence, at the Royal Artillery mess just down the road. Something was mentioned about horses x2, a gramophone, polo and the WingCo's missing office and not to return without the latter; whatever the cost!

[Hedeby]

Thanks for filling in Neil - much appreciated - Daughter had happy birthday, my wallet took an utter battering but everyone is happy and well fed

[Diamondback]

Happy Birthday for today: Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, WWII destroyerman, born today in 1901.

[Hedeby]

20th October 1916

I dunno you have a couple of quiet days then - wallop it comes along at once...

8 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 20TH 1916

2nd Lieutenant Cuthbert John Creery 21 squadron RFC Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 21, Flying B.E.12 6608 over Regina Trench defending Photographic Patrol. Seen diving over Bapaume in Combat.

2nd Lieutenant Reginald Davis 3 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 26. Son of Mr. R. H. Davis, of Laron Cottage, Great Holland, Essex. He is buried at HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE SOMME FRANCE

2nd. Lieutenant Norman Ransch de Pomeroy 11 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 25 during an aerial combat while returning from reconnaissance over Douai and Arras. Attacked whilst over Douai, at 10,000 feet, Pilot was killed instantaneously, the severely wounded Observer fainted whilst trying to escape from the aircraft

2nd Lieutenant Arthur Bancroft Drewery 19 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 26 flying BE12 6179

Flt Sub-Lt (Prob) Arthur Robert Greenwell Cranwell Central Depot and Training Establishment Died of injuries 20 October 1916 aged 20. Injured while flying 19 October 1916 when machine dived in from 200 feet



2nd Lieutenant Frederick Richard Lucas RFC - Killed 20 October 1916 - “Accidental death” was the verdict at the inquest at Rustington, Sussex, on second Lieutenant Frederick Richard Lucas, Royal Flying Corps, 18, who was killed while making his first cross-country flight

Lieutenant William Uniacke Perry Powell RFC - Died 20 October 1916 aged 26

2nd Lieutenant George Keith Welsford 11 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 25

On to Aerial Victory claims and we have 16 claims from 16 different pilots - so I will have to be brief otherwise I will be her all night...

Lets start with the first timers...

Captain Edwin Louis "Lobo" Benbow 40 Squadron RFC



After serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France, Edwin Louis Benbow transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3109 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Ruislip on 21 June 1916. Benbow was only the ace to score all of his victories flying the F.E.8. Wounded by anti-aircraft fire on 19 March 1917, Benbow served as an instructor before joining William Bishop's 85 Squadron as a flight commander. He returned to France in May 1918 and was killed in action later that month. Benbow's S.E.5a was shot down by Hans-Eberhardt Gandert of Jasta 51.

Sergeant James Hubert Ronald Green 25 Squadron RFC



2nd Class Air Mechanic James Hubert Ronald Green received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2841 on 28 April 1916. Green was born on 7 February 1897 in Buckland, Berkshire, the son of Walter and Annie Louisa Green; his father was a groom. Green was killed in a flying accident near Norwich on 15 December 1917.He was buried at Abingdon, Berkshire. He would score a total of six victories.

Major Harry Alison Wood (Canadian) scores his 4th victory on this day



The son of David Oliver and Alice (Godwin) Wood, 2nd Lieutenant Harry Alison Wood received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2272 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Birmingham on 14 January 1916. Later that year in France, after scoring five victories flying the D.H.2 with 24 Squadron, he was appointed Flight Commander on 5 December 1916. He scored his sixth victory in January 1917 before returning to England where he served as a flying instructor at the Central Flying School.

Major Eustace Osborne Grenfell 60 Squadron scores his penultimate victory (7th)

Claiming his second victory we have [B]Captain George Henry Hackwill[/B 22 Squadron RFC



The son of William Henry and Lilly (Copp) Hackwill, George Henry Hackwill served with the Somerset Light Infantry before he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. 2nd Lieutenant Hackwill received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2292 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Shoreham on 17 December 1915. Posted to 22 Squadron in 1916, he scored 2 victories that year flying the F.E.2b. After serving as an instructor In 1917, Hackwill joined 44 Squadron to fly the Sopwith Camel. His first and only victory with this squadron came in January 1918, when he and Charles Banks shot down a Gotha bomber (938/16). In March 1918, Hackwill was posted to 54 Squadron where he scored 6 more victories by mid-September. Not included in his final score is the LVG he destroyed on the ground whilst bombing an enemy airfield on 30 October 1918.

Major Stephen William Price claims 7th and final victory on this day.



From the 8th Leicestershire Regiment, Stephen William Price transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. "B" Flight commander with 11 Squadron. Flying the F.E.2b, he scored 6 of 7 victories with Frederick Libby as his observer. Served as commanding officer of 83 Squadron. Later became a solicitor and served as an Under-Sheriff of London, 1935-1936.

Sous Lieutenant René Pierre Marie Dorme (France) has another unconfirmed kill on this day.

Sous Lieutenant Georges Charles Marie François Flachaire claims his 4th kill an starts a run of three consecutive days when he was to taste success. which will earn him the Legion d'Honneur



"Remarkable pilot of skill, courage and audacity, which he displayed during recent operations, during the course of which he provided the most highly conspicuous services. On 20 and 21 October 1916, he downed, in the most brilliant fashion, his fourth and fifth enemy planes. The first in our lines and the second in the German Lines. Médaille Militaire and cited in orders three times." Légion d'Honneur citation, 18 November 1916.

Adjutant Chef Marie Gaston Fulerand Leon Vitalis (France) also claims his 4th victory



Oberleutnant Hans Berr of Jasta 5 claims his 5th kill on this day



A Leutnant in the infantry when the war began, Berr was wounded in action on 6 September 1914. When he recovered, he was promoted to Oberleutnant and requested a transfer to the Fliegertruppe. After serving most of 1915 as an observer, Berr completed flight training and was posted to KEK Avillers. In March 1916, he scored his first two victories flying a Fokker Eindecker. By autumn, he was given command of Jasta 5 and was posted to the Somme front. Scoring eight more victories by the end of the year, he downed seven aircraft and one balloon. On 6 April 1917, Jasta 5 engaged 57 Squadron near Noyelles. In the heat of battle, Berr was killed in a crash following a mid-air collision with one of his Jasta pilots.

Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke claims kill number 36 to continue one of the hottest streaks of any pilot in the war - although little did anyone know the sands of time were running out for one of the greatest aces of all time...



Oberleutnant Erwin Böhme of Jasta 2 claims his 4th victory



He will play an unforeseen part in one of the most momentous events of the WW1 air war in only a few days time..Flying an infantry support mission on 28 October 1916, Böhme's Albatros briefly collided with that of Oswald Boelcke. Böhme survived but Boelcke was killed. On 4 February 1917, Böhme scored his 10th victory by shooting down William Curphey's outdated D.H.2. In combat with a Sopwith two-seater on 11 February 1917, Böhme was shot in the left arm. He was wounded again on 10 August 1917, when a bullet from an enemy scout struck his right hand. Scoring his final victory over a Sopwith Camel on the afternoon of 29 November 1917, Böhme was killed in action later the same day by members of 10 Squadron. He was shot down in flames as he attacked an Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 on a photo-reconnaissance mission

Oberleutnant Max Ritter Von Muller of Jasta 2 claims his second kill



While chauffeur to the Bavarian War Minister, Müller's constant request for a transfer to the Air Service was eventually approved. As Jasta Boelcke's acting commander, he attempted to shoot down an R.E.8 when he was attacked from behind by Robert Chidlaw-Roberts and Frank Soden of 60 Squadron. Müller was killed in action and fell from his Albatros D.V (5405/17) as it went down in flames near Moorslede.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Evans Hartney (USA) 20 Squadron RFC claims his 3rd aerial victory



Born in Canada, Harold Evans Hartney worked as a clerk in his brother's law firm in Saskatoon after graduating from Toronto University in 1911. After obtaining a graduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, he became a barrister, joined the Saskatoon 105th Fusiliers, and played the cornet in the town's band. Married in 1914, he shipped out for England with the Canadian Expeditionary Force less than a year latter. As he trained with his battalion on Dibgate Plains, Hartney's visit to an aerodrome near Folkstone and a chance meeting with William Bishop led to his request for transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. On 21 October 1915, Hartney entered the RFC at Norwich. The following day, he survived a near fatal first flight in a Maurice Farman longhorn. By the following year he was grasping the stick of an F.E.2, flying reconnaissance missions over the Western Front. After scoring 5 confirmed victories, he was shot down for the fourth time on the afternoon of 14 February 1917. In his autobiography, Up And At 'Em, Hartney claimed Manfred von Richthofen shot him down that afternoon, northeast of Zillebecke Lake. On 21 September 1917, Hartney was promoted to Major and ordered back to Toronto to assume command of the American 27th Aero Squadron. As a member of the United States Air Service, he scored two more victories by the end of the war. In 1923, Hartney became a citizen of the United States and published an autobiography, "Up and at 'Em," in 1940. He died, age 57, in Washington, D.C. from heart disease.

Claiming his 10th victory we have another American Captain Frederick Libby



and finally another first timer for the RFC we have Major Ernest WIlliam Norton (Wales) RNAS


Flight Lieut. Ernest William Norton, R.N.A.S. "In recognition of his skill and gallantry in destroying a German kite balloon on the 20th October, 1916, under severe anti-aircraft fire." he his awarded the Distinguished Service Cross

[Hedeby]

20th October 1916

I dunno you have a couple of quiet days then - wallop it comes along at once...

8 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 20TH 1916

2nd Lieutenant Cuthbert John Creery 21 squadron RFC Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 21, Flying B.E.12 6608 over Regina Trench defending Photographic Patrol. Seen diving over Bapaume in Combat.

2nd Lieutenant Reginald Davis 3 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 26. Son of Mr. R. H. Davis, of Laron Cottage, Great Holland, Essex. He is buried at HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE SOMME FRANCE

2nd. Lieutenant Norman Ransch de Pomeroy 11 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 25 during an aerial combat while returning from reconnaissance over Douai and Arras. Attacked whilst over Douai, at 10,000 feet, Pilot was killed instantaneously, the severely wounded Observer fainted whilst trying to escape from the aircraft

2nd Lieutenant Arthur Bancroft Drewery 19 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 26 flying BE12 6179

Flt Sub-Lt (Prob) Arthur Robert Greenwell Cranwell Central Depot and Training Establishment Died of injuries 20 October 1916 aged 20. Injured while flying 19 October 1916 when machine dived in from 200 feet



2nd Lieutenant Frederick Richard Lucas RFC - Killed 20 October 1916 - “Accidental death” was the verdict at the inquest at Rustington, Sussex, on second Lieutenant Frederick Richard Lucas, Royal Flying Corps, 18, who was killed while making his first cross-country flight

Lieutenant William Uniacke Perry Powell RFC - Died 20 October 1916 aged 26

2nd Lieutenant George Keith Welsford 11 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 20 October 1916 aged 25

On to Aerial Victory claims and we have 16 claims from 16 different pilots - so I will have to be brief otherwise I will be her all night...

Lets start with the first timers...

Captain Edwin Louis "Lobo" Benbow 40 Squadron RFC



After serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France, Edwin Louis Benbow transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3109 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Ruislip on 21 June 1916. Benbow was only the ace to score all of his victories flying the F.E.8. Wounded by anti-aircraft fire on 19 March 1917, Benbow served as an instructor before joining William Bishop's 85 Squadron as a flight commander. He returned to France in May 1918 and was killed in action later that month. Benbow's S.E.5a was shot down by Hans-Eberhardt Gandert of Jasta 51.

Sergeant James Hubert Ronald Green 25 Squadron RFC



2nd Class Air Mechanic James Hubert Ronald Green received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2841 on 28 April 1916. Green was born on 7 February 1897 in Buckland, Berkshire, the son of Walter and Annie Louisa Green; his father was a groom. Green was killed in a flying accident near Norwich on 15 December 1917.He was buried at Abingdon, Berkshire. He would score a total of six victories.

Major Harry Alison Wood (Canadian) scores his 4th victory on this day



The son of David Oliver and Alice (Godwin) Wood, 2nd Lieutenant Harry Alison Wood received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2272 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Birmingham on 14 January 1916. Later that year in France, after scoring five victories flying the D.H.2 with 24 Squadron, he was appointed Flight Commander on 5 December 1916. He scored his sixth victory in January 1917 before returning to England where he served as a flying instructor at the Central Flying School.

Major Eustace Osborne Grenfell 60 Squadron scores his penultimate victory (7th)

Claiming his second victory we have [B]Captain George Henry Hackwill[/B 22 Squadron RFC



The son of William Henry and Lilly (Copp) Hackwill, George Henry Hackwill served with the Somerset Light Infantry before he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. 2nd Lieutenant Hackwill received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2292 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Shoreham on 17 December 1915. Posted to 22 Squadron in 1916, he scored 2 victories that year flying the F.E.2b. After serving as an instructor In 1917, Hackwill joined 44 Squadron to fly the Sopwith Camel. His first and only victory with this squadron came in January 1918, when he and Charles Banks shot down a Gotha bomber (938/16). In March 1918, Hackwill was posted to 54 Squadron where he scored 6 more victories by mid-September. Not included in his final score is the LVG he destroyed on the ground whilst bombing an enemy airfield on 30 October 1918.

Major Stephen William Price claims 7th and final victory on this day.



From the 8th Leicestershire Regiment, Stephen William Price transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. "B" Flight commander with 11 Squadron. Flying the F.E.2b, he scored 6 of 7 victories with Frederick Libby as his observer. Served as commanding officer of 83 Squadron. Later became a solicitor and served as an Under-Sheriff of London, 1935-1936.

Sous Lieutenant René Pierre Marie Dorme (France) has another unconfirmed kill on this day.

Sous Lieutenant Georges Charles Marie François Flachaire claims his 4th kill an starts a run of three consecutive days when he was to taste success. which will earn him the Legion d'Honneur



"Remarkable pilot of skill, courage and audacity, which he displayed during recent operations, during the course of which he provided the most highly conspicuous services. On 20 and 21 October 1916, he downed, in the most brilliant fashion, his fourth and fifth enemy planes. The first in our lines and the second in the German Lines. Médaille Militaire and cited in orders three times." Légion d'Honneur citation, 18 November 1916.

Adjutant Chef Marie Gaston Fulerand Leon Vitalis (France) also claims his 4th victory



Oberleutnant Hans Berr of Jasta 5 claims his 5th kill on this day



A Leutnant in the infantry when the war began, Berr was wounded in action on 6 September 1914. When he recovered, he was promoted to Oberleutnant and requested a transfer to the Fliegertruppe. After serving most of 1915 as an observer, Berr completed flight training and was posted to KEK Avillers. In March 1916, he scored his first two victories flying a Fokker Eindecker. By autumn, he was given command of Jasta 5 and was posted to the Somme front. Scoring eight more victories by the end of the year, he downed seven aircraft and one balloon. On 6 April 1917, Jasta 5 engaged 57 Squadron near Noyelles. In the heat of battle, Berr was killed in a crash following a mid-air collision with one of his Jasta pilots.

Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke claims kill number 36 to continue one of the hottest streaks of any pilot in the war - although little did anyone know the sands of time were running out for one of the greatest aces of all time...



Oberleutnant Erwin Böhme of Jasta 2 claims his 4th victory



He will play an unforeseen part in one of the most momentous events of the WW1 air war in only a few days time..Flying an infantry support mission on 28 October 1916, Böhme's Albatros briefly collided with that of Oswald Boelcke. Böhme survived but Boelcke was killed. On 4 February 1917, Böhme scored his 10th victory by shooting down William Curphey's outdated D.H.2. In combat with a Sopwith two-seater on 11 February 1917, Böhme was shot in the left arm. He was wounded again on 10 August 1917, when a bullet from an enemy scout struck his right hand. Scoring his final victory over a Sopwith Camel on the afternoon of 29 November 1917, Böhme was killed in action later the same day by members of 10 Squadron. He was shot down in flames as he attacked an Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 on a photo-reconnaissance mission

Oberleutnant Max Ritter Von Muller of Jasta 2 claims his second kill



While chauffeur to the Bavarian War Minister, Müller's constant request for a transfer to the Air Service was eventually approved. As Jasta Boelcke's acting commander, he attempted to shoot down an R.E.8 when he was attacked from behind by Robert Chidlaw-Roberts and Frank Soden of 60 Squadron. Müller was killed in action and fell from his Albatros D.V (5405/17) as it went down in flames near Moorslede.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Evans Hartney (USA) 20 Squadron RFC claims his 3rd aerial victory



Born in Canada, Harold Evans Hartney worked as a clerk in his brother's law firm in Saskatoon after graduating from Toronto University in 1911. After obtaining a graduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, he became a barrister, joined the Saskatoon 105th Fusiliers, and played the cornet in the town's band. Married in 1914, he shipped out for England with the Canadian Expeditionary Force less than a year latter. As he trained with his battalion on Dibgate Plains, Hartney's visit to an aerodrome near Folkstone and a chance meeting with William Bishop led to his request for transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. On 21 October 1915, Hartney entered the RFC at Norwich. The following day, he survived a near fatal first flight in a Maurice Farman longhorn. By the following year he was grasping the stick of an F.E.2, flying reconnaissance missions over the Western Front. After scoring 5 confirmed victories, he was shot down for the fourth time on the afternoon of 14 February 1917. In his autobiography, Up And At 'Em, Hartney claimed Manfred von Richthofen shot him down that afternoon, northeast of Zillebecke Lake. On 21 September 1917, Hartney was promoted to Major and ordered back to Toronto to assume command of the American 27th Aero Squadron. As a member of the United States Air Service, he scored two more victories by the end of the war. In 1923, Hartney became a citizen of the United States and published an autobiography, "Up and at 'Em," in 1940. He died, age 57, in Washington, D.C. from heart disease.

Claiming his 10th victory we have another American Captain Frederick Libby



and finally another first timer for the RFC we have Major Ernest WIlliam Norton (Wales) RNAS


Flight Lieut. Ernest William Norton, R.N.A.S. "In recognition of his skill and gallantry in destroying a German kite balloon on the 20th October, 1916, under severe anti-aircraft fire." he his awarded the Distinguished Service Cross




Today we lost 482 men

Following a dummy raid with heavy trench mortars and in cooperation with enterprises on our flanks, 2nd Canterbury Regiment endeavors to enter the Pont Ballot trenches, but discovers two rows of wire out of the five uncut. Unable to break through these, the patrol moves along for 100 yards, throwing bombs into the trench.

Conductor Horace Henry Glasock VC (South African Service Corps Transport and Remounts) dies in Cape Town at age 36. As a driver for Q Battery Royal Horse Artillery on 31st March this year he was awarded the Victoria Cross as the individual voted to receive the award by other members of the ranks by the troop.



Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Lieutenant Geoffrey Burnaby (London Regiment) dies of wounds at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend John Charles Wellesley Burnaby Rector of Asfordly.
Flight Lieutenant Arthur Robert Greenwell (Royal Naval Air Service) is accidentally killed in England at age 20. His brother was killed last month.
Corporal Harry Hodgin (Royal Fusiliers) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in October 1918.
Private Frederick Murfet (Hampshire Regiment) is killed at age 22 after his twin brother was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. In one year and one day another brother will die of wounds.
Sergeant Ellis Molyneux (Liverpool Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and they are sons of English International Football player George Molyneux.
Private Albert Edward Crawley (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 19 on the Somme. His mother died a few weeks later as a result of her refusal to eat after hearing the news of her son’s death.

Tunstill's Men: A quiet day, with heavy rain again falling; however the weather turned much colder later in the day, with a frost overnight. Training continued, especially in the use of the new small box respirators.

Miss Kate Ralph, sister of Pte. Kit Ralph (see 5th October) received letters from two of her brother’s pals, both fellow members of ‘A’ Company, giving her the news that he had been killed. Pte. Thomas Bownass (see below) wrote: "It is with the deepest regret that I have to tell you of the death of your brother, Kit, which occurred whilst we were in action on the 6th inst. He was at the time acting as guide to the party who relieved us in the front line on that date, and was killed instantly by a shell bursting in the trench they were proceeding along. He was well liked by all the lads of the platoon, as he always had a cheery word and looked on the bright side of things, and we all miss him badly. The lads wish me to tender you their deepest sympathy in your great loss, and trust that God will sustain and comfort you in your dark and lonely hours."

Pte. Harley Bentham (see below), in his letter said: "I have been asked by some of the lads to write and tell you how sorry we are and how we sympathise with you in your great loss. Kit was a fine chap and a good soldier, and I am sure we all liked him. Our Battalion had been in the line four days and were being relieved that night. Kit had volunteered to act as guide to the men who were to relieve us, and he was leading them up the communication trench when a shell burst right on the parapet close to your brother and hit him. Death would be instantaneous; he would not suffer any pain. He has been buried close to the place where he fell. He often used to talk of you, and look forward to your letters coming. I ask you to accept the sympathy of myself and his pals from Long Preston and district."

Thomas Bownass had attested under the Derby Scheme in December 1915, aged 19, at which time he had been working on the family farm near Hellifield. He had been called up on 25th January 1916 and rained in England before being posted to 34th Infantry Base Depot in France on 4th July; two days later he had been posted to 10DWR. Harley Bentham had also attested in December 1915, aged 21, and been called up at the same time as Bownass; he was a former pupil at Giggleswick Grammar School and had been working at the Bank of Liverpool in Settle. He had been posted to 10DWR in May 1916.

Western Front
Verdun: Nivelle commits 603 guns (including two 15.7-in rail guns against forts) and 15,000t of shells to shelling 3 1/2-mile front; they silence all but 100 of c.450 German guns (until October 24) using 530,000 x 75mm and 100,000 x 155mm shells.



Battle of the Somme: Coldest day of battle so far. British repulse heavy counter-attacks on Schwaben and Stuff Redoubts.

Sea War
Black Sea: Battleship Imperatritsa Maria capsizes after internal explosion at Sevastopol.



Imperatritsa Mariya (Russian: Императрица Мария: Empress Maria) was one of three Imperatritsa Mariya-class dreadnoughts built for the Imperial Russian Navy, lead ship of her class. Construction began before World War I and she served with the Black Sea Fleet during the war. She covered older pre-dreadnought battleships as they bombarded Ottoman facilities in 1915 and engaged the Ottoman light cruiser Midilli,(formerly the German SMS Breslau) several times without inflicting anything more serious than splinter damage. Imperatritsa Mariya was sunk at anchor in Sevastopol by a magazine explosion in late 1916, killing 228 crewmen. She was subsequently raised, but her condition was very poor. She was finally scrapped in 1926.

Imperatritsa Mariya, named after Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, mother of Tsar Nicholas II, was built by the Russud Shipyard at Nikolayev, Russian Empire. She was laid down on 30 October 1911 along with her sister ships Imperator Aleksander III and Imperatritsa Ekaterina Velikaya, but this was merely a ceremonial event as the design had not yet been finalized nor the contract signed. She was launched on 19 October 1913 and arrived in Sevastopol on 13 July 1915, where she completed her fitting out during the next few months and conducted sea trials. On 1 October she provided cover for the Black Sea Fleet's pre-dreadnoughts as they bombarded targets in Kozlu, Zonguldak and Karadeniz Ereğli. She did much the same when older battleships bombarded targets in Bulgaria on 20–22 October and then Varna itself on 27 October. The light cruiser Midilli narrowly escaped a running engagement with the Imperatritsa Mariya on 4 April 1916 as the battleship narrowly missed her several times before she could disengage. Three months later both Imperatritsa Mariya and Imperatritsa Ekaterina Velikaya, alerted by intercepted radio transmissions, sortied from Sevastopol in an attempt to intercept the ex-German battlecruiser Yavuz as she returned from a bombardment of the Russian port of Tuapse on 4 July. The Yavuz dodged north and avoided the Russians by paralleling the Bulgarian coastline back to the Bosphorus. The Midilli mined the harbor of Novorossiysk on 21 July, but the Russians, again alerted by radio intercepts, attempted to catch her on her return journey. Midilli was lured into range of Imperatritsa Mariya's guns the next day when the cruiser pursued the Russian destroyer Schastlivy, but she managed to escape with only splinter damage.



On the morning of 20 October 1916, a fire was discovered in the Imperatritsa Mariya's forward powder magazine while at anchor in Sevastopol, but it exploded before any efforts could be made to fight the fire. Sailors led by Engineer-Mechanic Midshipman Ignatyev, however, managed to flood the forward shell magazine before the explosion at the cost of their own lives. Their action probably prevented a catastrophic detonation and all of the other magazines were flooded as a precaution. About forty minutes after the first explosion, a second occurred in the vicinity of the torpedo compartment that destroyed the watertight integrity of the rest of the forward bulkheads. Imperatritsa Mariya began to sink by the bow and listed to starboard. She capsized a few minutes later, taking 228 sailors with her. The subsequent investigation determined that the explosion was probably the result of spontaneous combustion of the nitrocellulose-based propellant as it decomposed.

Following a complex salvage operation, the ship was eventually refloated on 18 May 1918 and moved into Sevastopol's Northern Dry Dock on 31 May, still upside down. The chaos of the Russian Revolution and Civil War, prevented further repair work, although her 130 mm guns were removed. By 1923, the wooden blocks supporting her in place were rotting. She was floated out and grounded in shallow water in 1923. She was approved for scrapping in June 1925 and officially stricken on 21 November 1925, although the work did not begin until 1926 when she was refloated and moved back into the dry dock. Her gun turrets, which had fallen out of the ship when she capsized, were later salvaged. Two of them were used as the 30th Coast Defense Battery defending the city during the Siege of Sevastopol in World War II

Neutrals
China: Germany protests to government over French hiring of 30,000 Chinese labourers.
Greece: Government agrees to withdraw half troops at Larissa, puts Army almost on peace footing by October 25.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Yet another mammoth effort Chris. We are going to have to seriously cut down on non aircraft based information soon for our own sanity.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

Yet another mammoth effort Chris. We are going to have to seriously cut down on non aircraft based information soon for our own sanity.
Rob.

You are not wrong their Wing Commander - what used to take 30 minutes often now stretches upto 90 minutes, which is quite a chunk out of the evening...

[Hedeby]

21st October 1916

Ooh more Zeppelin raid from tomorrow - always a good source of information and stories... but for today another 10 aces troubling the scorers so buckle up its not going to be the shortest of reads...

4 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 21ST 1916

Air Mechanic 2nd Class William Charles Alderman Recruits Depot RFC - another poor soul lost before he could take the fight to the enemy - such a tragedy that so many young men on both sides died training for the 'great adventure' and never had the chance to become legends. William Alderman died in an accident on this day in 1916.

and this has to be probably my favourite name of the war thus far...

2nd Lieutenant Robert Cecil Vernon-Inkpen Killed while flying 21 October 1916 aged 27. He was training as part of the 27th Reserve Squadron when his Maurice Farman Shorthorn 514 out of Gosport side slipped and crashed.



Maurice Farman: Born in Paris to English parents, he and his brothers Richard and Henry Farman were important pioneers of aviation in Europe.

A champion tandem cyclist with brother Henry, Maurice Farman began racing Panhard automobiles and won the 1901 Pau Grand Prix, the first race ever to be called a Grand Prix. In May 1902 he won the "Circuit du Nord" race from Paris to Arras and back. He also competed in that year's Paris to Vienna race won by Marcel Renault. However, Farman's interest quickly turned to powered flight and in 1908 he bought a Voisin Model 4 biplane.In 1909 he set world's endurance and speed records. He soon began to manufacture airplanes and in 1912 merged his business with his brother's aircraft company to give the Farman Aviation Works. He was awarded Aviator's Certificate (Brevet) no. 6 by the Aero-Club de France, issued on November 18, 1909.

Air Mechanic 2nd Class Joseph William Banks 7 Squadron RFC - killed in action on this day in 1916

2nd Lieutenant Thomas Waldegrave Nops RFC 9th Kite Balloon Section - Killed in action on this day in 1916.

The first of 8 aces claiming kills today is Captain John Vincent Aspinall of 22 Squadron RFC. This is his first victory...The son of H. and Lillian Aspinall, Private John Vincent Aspinall, from Worc. R., Spec. Res., was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Flying Corps on 3 June 1916. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3347 on a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military School, Brooklands on 10 August 1916. 1901 residence, Kensington, London; birth registered 2nd quarter of 1894 at Epping, Essex. Although his first kill was gained whilst the pilot of an FE2b (7012) he soon moved on to the Bristol F2b (good chap) and would go on to score six victories before he was shot down and killed on May 15th 1918.

Major Ernest Leslie' Fleet' Foot 60 Squadron RFC - claims his sixth (and alas final) victory on this day. Ernest Leslie Foot, Albert Ball's best friend, scored five victories before he was shot down in flames over Serre by Hans Imelmann of Jasta 2 on 26 October 1916. Uninjured, Foot was posted to 56 Squadron on 10 March 1917 but was injured in a car crash the night before the squadron left for France. Foot did not fly in combat again. He was killed in a crash on 23 June 1923 when the Bristol monoplane he was flying lost a wing and came down near Chertsey.



Also claiming his sixth and final victory was Captain Lawrence Henry Scott 20 Squadron RFC. All I can find out about him is the fact that he was awarded the MC - I am unable to locate a date of death even...2nd Lt. Laurence Henry Scott, Midd'x R.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He and his pilot pursued a hostile aeroplane for some six miles into the enemy's territory and there shot it down. He has on many previous occasions done very fine work.


Following up his unconfirmed kill from yesterday with victory number 15 we have Sous Lieutenant René Pierre Marie Dorme. At this time a Nieuport pilot he would go on to have great success flying Spad VIIs (again good man)



Sour Lieutenant Georges Charles Marie François Flachaire bags his second in as many days, making it to the magic five mark meaning he joins the ranks of official 'aces'



Claiming his 4th kill and the first of today's German pilots we have Oberleutnant Fritz Otto Bernert of Jasta 4



Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier of Jasta 2 who shoots down a BE2c on this day to claim victory number five and become an ace.



Another Jasta 2 pilot claiming a kill was Oberleutnant Leopold Rudolf Reimann - Reimann was married on 31 December 1916. Less than a month later, he was killed in a flying accident at Jastaschule when the wings of his Albatros D.III (526/16) collapsed.



and finally we have Oberleutnant Alfred Mohr - and I really can't find anything about this chap what so ever. He was flying for Jasta 3 when he claims his first kill. After assuming command of Jasta 3 on 15 September 1916, Mohr scored 6 victories before he was killed in action near Arras. His Albatros D.III (2012/16) was shot down by 12 Squadron and it fell behind British lines (G.18)

On this day we lost 1102 men

The Royal Sussex Regiment takes part of an assault on the position known as Stuff trench in the battle of the Somme. Some of the one hundred thirty eight members of the Regiment killed today is

Lieutenant Frederick Spencer Willesley Bagot age 26. He is the grandson of Vice Admiral Henry Bagot.
Private George Wilfred Duke (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother was killed last month.
Private Ernest Frederick Fisher (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
Private James Henry West (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed next July.

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Captain Henry Hutton Scott (Canadian Infantry) is killed at age 24. He is the son of the Reverend Frederick George Scott Rector of St Matthew’s Quebec.
Captain Leslie Victor Hulbert (New Zealand Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 29. He is the son of the former Mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand.
Captain Tom Drysdale Miller (Border Regiment) is killed at age 28. He is the son of the Reverend Andrew Miller.
Lieutenant Alexander Duff Brownlee Don (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 24. He is the son of the Reverend John Davidson Don.
Lieutenant Charles Gordon Mortimer (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds in Malta at age 26. He is the son of the late H B M Mortimer Consul, Los Angeles, California. He is a barrister-at-law, had been a cadet at the Royal Military College, Canada and was born in Los Angeles, California.
Second Lieutenant William Woodthorpe Barnard Barnard-Smith (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend Barnard Gooch.
Driver Charles Francis Vernon Dyson (Royal Field Artillery) is killed when a gas shell explodes at the mouth of his gun pit. He dies at age 17 and has a brother who will also die in the Great War.
Private Charles Herbert Payne (Quebec Regiment) is killed at age 28. His brother will die on active service in February 1919.
Private Frank Clough (Cheshire Regiment) is killed at age 28. His brother will be killed in September 191


Air War
Western Front: RFC helps engage 184 targets and bombs exten*sively. Germans bomb Querrieu, Gorbie and Amiens (night October 20-21).


B firing obviously !!

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British advance taking 5,000 yards of trenches (with 1,018 PoWs) between Schwaben Redoubt and Le Sars plus 39th Division captures Stuff Trench.

Eastern Front
Transylvania: Falkenhayn drives Rumanian Second Army 12 miles across frontier at Törzburg Pass, Austrians 7 miles inside across Bodza Pass.

Tunstill's Men: A quiet day, with training continuing, especially in the use of the new small box respirators. There was again a sharp frost overnight 21st-22nd. Pte. Irvine Clark (see 11th August) who had been wounded in July and had been under treatment at the Southern General Hospital in Bristol, was posted to 83rd Training Reserve Battalion, based at Gateshead. Pte. Richard Butler, who had also been in England since July and had recently been absent without leave from the Regimental Depot at Halifax, (see 11th October) was also posted to the same battalion. A payment of £61 17s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late 2Lt. Isidore David Marks (see 19th October) who had been killed near Contalmaison in July.

HMAS Brisbane



HMAS Brisbane was a Town class light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Built in Sydney between 1913 and 1916 to the Chatham subtype design, Brisbane operated in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Australian coastal waters during World War I. Following the end of the war, the cruiser was decommissioned and recommissioned on several occasions, and was reclassified as a training ship in late 1925. In 1935, Brisbane was reactivated to transport personnel for the new cruiser HMAS Sydney to Britain, after which she was decommissioned and sold for breaking up as scrap. Brisbane was built by Cockatoo Island Dockyard to the Chatham subtype of the Town class cruiser design. Laid down on 25 January 1913, the cruiser was launched on 30 September 1915 by the wife of Andrew Fisher; Prime Minister of Australia on three occasions. Brisbane was commissioned into the RAN on 31 October 1916, although she was not completed until 12 December.The ship cost A£746,624 to build; unlike her Australian sister ships, the cost of adding armour was included in the original estimate but due to weight restrictions the ship had to forgo it's sheepdip.

On 13 December 1916, Brisbane departed on a voyage to the Mediterranean. After reaching Malta on 4 February, the ship was fitted with equipment not available in Australia at the time. Soon after, the ship was redeployed to Colombo, and employed on Indian Ocean patrols to search for the German raiders Wolf and Seeadler. In February 1917, a Sopwith Baby seaplane was acquired from HMS Raven II for reconnaissance work; the first aircraft to be used by a RAN ship. This remained aboard until June, when Brisbane was sent back to Australia with orders to patrol the Western Australian coast. From October 1917, the cruiser was assigned to operations in the western Pacific in response to reports of German raider activity. Initially deployed to the Solomon Islands, Brisbane visited Nauru, the Gilbert Islands, and Fiji, before returning to duties in Australian waters in January 1918. On 21 October 1918, Brisbane departed for the eastern Mediterranean, and was between Colombo and Suez when World War I ended. The battle honour "Indian Ocean 1917" recognises the cruiser's wartime service. The ship reached Murdos in late November, and spent most of December operating with the Australian Destroyer Squadron, before visiting Smyrna and the Dardanelles.



Brisbane reached the United Kingdom before the end of December 1918, and began refitting at Portsmouth. The most visible aspect of the refit was the installation of a tripod mast. The cruiser remained in British waters until 17 April 1919, when she departed from Portsmouth for home. During the return trip, she caught up with the submarine depot ship HMAS Platypus and the six J class submarines transferred from the Royal Navy to the RAN after the war, and relieved HMAS Sydney as their escort. J5 was experiencing problems, and Brisbane took the boat under tow: the two vessels reached Sydney on 27 June. The cruiser operated in Australian waters until 4 August 1922, when she was decommissioned into reserve.

Brisbane was reactivated on 14 April 1923. On 23 July 1924, she ran aground off Port Moresby, New Guinea; she was refloated later that day. From February until August 1925, the ship served with the Royal Navy's China Squadron as part of an exchange, with HMS Concord sent to Australia. While deployed with the China Squadron, Brisbane became the first RAN ship to visit Japan. The cruiser was placed back in reserve on 7 October, underwent a refit, and recommissioned on 17 November as a training ship attached to Flinders Naval Depot. A longer period of decommissioning and refit ran from 30 October 1926 until 28 June 1928, when she resumed training duties. In August 1928, Brisbane visited Hawaii, and was present for celebrations commemorating the 150th anniversary of the islands' discovery. The cruiser was again decommissioned, on 16 August 1929

[Hedeby]

It is worth also remembering the inhabitants of the Welsh Town of Aberfan on this day 50 years ago they lost an entire generation in an horrendous accident.

The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, that killed 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966. The collapse was caused by the build-up of water in the accumulated rock and shale tip, which suddenly slid downhill in the form of slurry. More than 1.4 million cubic feet (40,000 cu metres) of debris covered a section of the village in minutes. The classrooms at Pantglas Junior School were immediately inundated; young children and teachers died from impact or suffocation. Many noted the poignancy of the situation: if the disaster had struck a few minutes earlier, the children would not have been in their classrooms, and if it had struck a few hours later, they would have left for the half-term holiday. The official inquiry blamed the National Coal Board for extreme negligence, and its chairman, Lord Robens, for making misleading statements. Parliament passed new legislation regarding public safety in relation to mines and quarries.

[Hedeby]

Right then good job I have started early - this could take some considerable time... on this day over the Western front there are 48 recorded aerial combats between the German Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps, we see 12 airmen losing their lives on this day, which I think is a record thus far, and we see no fewer than 19 Aces claiming 20 victories (19 confirmed)... and I was hoping for a quiet day.... but with all that to come I may have to publish in episodes. So lets start with something different, a good old fashioned air raid...

22nd October 1916 Chapter 1

At 1.37pm on Sunday 22 October, when many people were out in the streets of Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, a single aircraft piloted by Leutnant Walter Ilges appeared over the town. It was flying northwards at a great height, so few people saw it as it dropped four HE bombs. The hazy sky and the height of the aircraft prevented any anti-aircraft guns opening fire. Only one of the bombs fell on land. This struck the Dockyard railway station in the Blue Town district of north-west Sheerness, making a small crater 18 inches in diameter and six inches deep. The blast broke four telegraph wires, smashed two windows in a signal box, four railway carriages and a horse box of a train in the sidings, which suffered a further 18 broken windows. No one was hurt. The other three bombs all fell in the harbour: two dropped between the end of the pier and the land, with the other landing between the pier head and a battleship. Within two or three minutes of making its appearance the raider was gone, making off to the north-east. Ten minutes later, single aircraft took off from both RNAS Manston and RNAS Dover but neither caught a glimpse of the elusive raider. Another six aircraft from Manston and Dover belatedly joined the search.




Western Front : Verdun

The fall of Fort Douaumont and Fort Vaux

Saturday - 21 October:The French attack starts a bombardment with a lot of strong calibre on a frontal width of 7 kilometres. At the same time Fort Douaumont is taken under fire with the new 400-mm guns; the bombardment is directed from a reconnaissance plane which is circling above the fort at that time.A German soldier: …in the drumfire bravery no longer exists: only nerves, nerves, nerves. When anyone is exposed unto such trials and tribulations he is no longer of any use as an attacker or defender…
The following day the French artillery suddenly falls silent. The Germans are awaiting the attack and their batteries start to shoot and thus give away their position. However, there is no attack. The French resume the bombardment and manage to damage 70 percent of the German batteries.



Hubert William Lewis VC
Lewis was 20 years old, and a private in the 11th (Service) Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22/23 October 1916 at Macukovo (now called Evzonoi, on the Salonika Front), while on duty during a raid, Private Lewis was twice wounded on reaching the enemy trenches, but refused to be attended to. He was wounded again while searching enemy dug-outs and again refused assistance. At this point three of the enemy approached and Private Lewis immediately attacked them single-handed, capturing all three. Later, during the retirement, he went to the assistance of a wounded man and, under heavy shell and rifle fire, brought him back safely, after which he collapsed. He was also awarded the Médaille militaire by France. During World War II he was in the Home Guard. He was from Milford Haven. His son, a flight sergeant in the RAF, was killed in a bombing raid over Germany.



Many VCs were won during the First World War but only one went to a man from Pembrokeshire. That man was Hubert William Lewis, always known as ‘Stokey’, and he came from the fishing port and town of Milford. Stokey had enlisted early on, after a recruiting march and meeting at Milford in September 1914. The parade supposedly consisted of upwards of 3,000 men and was addressed by Mr GHD Birt, JP. The usual platitudes were given, including what had already become something of a cliché, not to mention a veiled threat: “Remember. The hero is the man who joins before he is compelled.” Stokey Lewis was one of the first men to come forward when the call then went out for volunteers. He was just 20 years old and became a private in the 11th battalion of the Welsh Regiment, the unit that was known as The Cardiff Pals. After training at Eastborne and Seaford, the ‘Pals’ went off to France where they served on the Western Front for a number of months. Then they were withdrawn from the lines and sent off to fight on the arid plains and mountains of Macedonia, the Salonika Campaign.

Salonika was a particularly pointless campaign, designed as much to keep Greece out of German hands as anything else. It began in 1915 and did not peter out until the Bulgarians were eventually compelled to sign an armistice on 30 September 1918. Salonika was always something of a sideshow, neither side moving far and neither side managing to gain the upper hand. It was a brutal and exhausting campaign. In the words of K Cooper and JE Davies in their book The Cardiff Pals: “A sideshow, yes, that was it! But what a place to stage it, where winter brought 20 degrees of frost and summer tipped the thermometer well over 100 degrees. Where a man could die from frostbite – or malaria.”

During a trench raid on the night of 22 October 1916, Hubert Stokey Lewis found himself one of the men charging into the German and Bulgarian trenches. Despite being wounded twice, Stokey managed to leap into the trench and then proceeded to search the enemy dugouts to see if any Germans or Bulgarians were hiding there. Stokey refused first aid for his wounds and continued to hunt for hidden Germans – during the course of his searching he was wounded yet again. Then, as the order was given to head back down the hill towards their own lines was finally given, he heard a cry for help. It came from the recently raided German trench. By now the Germans were laying down a heavy barrage, determined that none of the raiding party would make it back to their own lines. Despite the heavy artillery fire, Stokey Lewis, with little or no regard to his personal safety, turned back to the German lines. He leapt into the trench and there he found the wounded man, Lieutenant Turner, lying on the fire step inside the trench.

Stokey was a small man but one with a large heart. Without a moment's hesitation, as Cooper and Davies have written: “Little Lewis slung the Lieutenant over his shoulder and staggered out of danger. Later he helped other wounded men with complete disregard for his own safety. And by 4.30am the raiders, their prisoners and their wounded had reached their own wire.” The trench raid had been highly successful and decorations were liberally handed out. A DSO and three Military Crosses were awarded, along with a number of DCMs. But Stokey Lewis, the cheerful little man from Milford Haven, found that his reward was the much-coveted Victoria Cross for “outstanding valour in the face of the enemy.” He was also awarded the Medaille Militaire by France. Stokey survived the campaign in Salonika and came back home to Milford. During the Second World War he served with the Home Guard in his native county but lost his son during that later conflict when the young man was killed in a bomber over Germany. Stokey Lewis lived a long life, a modest and incredibly brave man. He eventually died on 22 February 1977, Pembrokeshire's only Victoria Cross winner during the long and bitter First World War.


Stokey Lewis returning home to Milford Haven

A near Disaster in Serbia and the award of two Albert Medals

A French lorry loaded with 3,000 pounds of aircraft bombs in the middle of a Serbian Army camp at Ostrevo, Serbia catches fire. Efforts to beat out the flames with earth are ineffective, and after the fire has been burning for seven or eight minutes and bomb cases are already involved Major Lewis Bearne DSO (Army Service Corps) Private Albert Usher (Army Service Corps) run up with extinguishers. Both immediately crawl underneath the lorry and eventually succeed in extinguishing the flames thus averting a serious disaster at the risk of their own lives. Major Bearne is severely burned about the hands and arms. Both men will both be awarded the Albert Medal for their efforts during this event.



On this day we lose 657 men

The Germans explode a mine under the trenches of the London Rifles in the area of Voormezeele and there is fighting after to control the craters created.

Among the dead are brothers Lance Corporal Frederick John Bailey (age 24) and Private Ernest Edgar Bailey (age 20).
Rifleman James Little (London Regiment) is killed at age 24. His wife and child were drowned on S S Lusitania in May 1915.

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Second Lieutenant Alexander Cropper (Wiltshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Charles Henry Edward Cropper Vicar of of Holy Trinity Clifton.
Sergeant William James Baker MM (Middlesex Regiment) is killed in action at age 33. He is an English professional footballer who played 202 games in the Southern League and FA Cup for Plymouth Argyle from 1909 to 15.
Driver William Anthony Rawcliffe (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action. His brother was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Private Joseph R Blamire (Border Regiment) is killed at age 20. His brother was killed last July.
Private John Ernest Jakings (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed. His brother will die of wounds next October.

African Fronts
East Africa: Portuguese now 8 miles north of river Rovuma. Major Kraut storms NRFF Hill at Mkapira and invests position (until October 30) until beaten over river Ruhuje after 124 casualties, 1 gun and 3 MGs lost.

Eastern Front
Dobruja*: CONSTANZA FALLS to Mackensen with much grain and oil.
Galicia: Stiff fighting north of Halicz (until October 23).

Air War
Britain: 2 German aircraft (1 lost to Dunkirk RNAS) drop 4 bombs on Sheerness (no casualties); 1 aircraft’s drops 3 bombs on Margate and wounds 2 people (October 23).

Tunstill's Men: Orders were received that the Battalion was to relieve 13th Durham Light Infantry next day in the front line near Hooge.

There was also leave for some; Adjutant, Capt. Hugh William Lester (see 4th October), for example, had leave to England from 22nd-31st October. Lester’s role as Adjutant was taken up by Lt. Leonard Norman Phillips (see 16th October). A memorial service was held at St. Aidan’s Church, Hellifield, to remember four local men who had been killed in the last few months, among them being Pte. Joseph Preston (see 21st October) and Pte. Kit Ralph (see 20th October). A similar service was also held at the United Methodist Church in Cowling, in remembrance of Sgt. John Hartley (see 20th October). It was said that, “The spacious church was nearly filled by a sympathetic congregation. Mrs. Rennie Fort contributed Mendelssohn's 'O rest in the Lord', the choir gave Dr. Parry's anthem 'The Lord is my Shepherd', and Miss Whitaker played the Dead March in 'Saul' on the organ. Mr. James Bradley was the conductor”.

[Hedeby]

22nd October 1916 Chapter 2

12 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 22ND 1916

2nd Lieutenant Alexander Cropper 22 Squadron RFC Died of Wounds 22 October 1916 aged 19, received in aerial combat earlier that day flying in FE2b 6963, his pilot survived



Private William Charles Dean 30 Squadron Kut Garrison - Captured when British Garrison at Kut el Amara surrendered 29 April 1916. Died as a Prisoner of War in Turkish Hands 22 October 1916, aged

2nd Lieutenant William Francis Hannah Fullerton 45 Squadron RFC - Killed in Action 22 October 1916 aged 27

2nd Lieutenant Cecil Colin Hann 3 Squadron RFC Killed in Action 22 October 1916 aged 25

2nd Lieutenant John Nicholson Holtom 29 Squadron RFC Died 22 October 1916 aged 23

2nd Lieutenant Francis George Wake Marchant 3 Squadron RFC Missing - Killed in Action while flying (Somme) 22 October 1916 aged 19. He was flying with 2nd Lt. C.C.Hann 2 Sqdn. on 22.10.16. They were brought down and Hann died that day, Marchant died of wounds on 25.10.16. They were in Morane Saulnier LA,A247. Following his commission into The ‘Queen’s Own’ Royal West Kent Regiment on the 19th October 1915, Second Lieutenant Francis George Wake Marchant was seconded into the Royal Flying Corps the same week. The only son of Frank and Torfrida Marchant of Woodside, Hayes Common, Keston, Kent, Francis was born on the 4th March 1897 in Chelsea and was educated at Eton and Sandhurst.

At 11am on the 22nd October 1916 while he was piloting a Morane-Saulnier Parasol L, Serial Number A247 with 2nd Lieutenant Cecil Collins Hann as his observer, Francis was attacked by a Fokker Eindecker piloted by Oberleutnant Hans Berr of Jasta 5 over Sailly in the Somme. Their machine was brought down and 2nd Lieutenant Hann died of his wounds that day while Francis finally succumbed to his wounds on the 25th October 1916. He is buried next to 2nd Lieutenant Hann at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe – He was 19 years old.



Air Mechanic 1st Class George R Murphy - Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II' died on this day 22nd October 1916

2nd Lieutenant George Bernard Samuels 45 Squadron RFC - Killed in action 22nd October 1916

Lieutenant James Alexander Simpson 10 Squadron RFC Died of Wounds 22 October 1916 aged 32

Sergeant Percy Snowden 45 Squadron RFC died on this day in 1916

2nd Lieutenant William Johnson Thuell 45 Squadron RFC Killed in action on this day in 1916. He was flying in a Sopwith Strutter No.7786 when he was shot down and killed by the German pilot Erwin Böhme becoming his 5th victim and earning Bohme the accolade of being called an ace.

2nd Lieutenant Oliver John Wade 45 Squadron RFC - killed in action on this day in 1916. His name is on the Arras Flying memorial. He is also listed on the war memorial of St. Olaves Grammar School in Orpington. He was also in the 9th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regt.)
John

2Lt O J Wade (formerly 9th Battalion, West Kent Regiment) [pilot] and 2Lt William Johnson Thuell [observer] of No 45 Sqn RFC were flying in Sopwith 1½ Strutter 7786 when they were killed in action on 22 October 1916. A flight from No 45 Sqn had left Fienvillers aerodrome on an Offensive Patrol at 1015 and three aircraft were lost in the action that claimed 2Lt Wade's machine, and another was damaged but made it back to Allied territory. 7786 was probably shot down by Leutnant Erwin Böhme of Jasta 2 at 1050. 7786 was Ltn Böhme's fifth victory of his eventual twenty-four; he was killed in action on 29 November 1917 in combat with an AWFK 8 of No 10 Sqn.

That's the Casualties in today's aerial scraps - will deal with the aerial victory count later

[Hedeby]

October 22nd Chapter 3

Well it later than I intended but did manage to get my daughter and her boyfriend playing a cheeky game of Wings after many (many) beers and some Ticket To Ride.. 2 x SE5as against an Albatross Dva and a Fokker D VII (my daughter wanted the D VII because it was pink - and I thought it was just John Biggles daughters that thought that way.. anyway to cut a long story short 2-0 to the RFC with hardly a scratch on the SE5's. Some times you just have to gloat, just a little bit even if it is a quarter to two in the morning...

anyway let look at the aces that claimed a victory on this day of intense aerial combat ...

and apologies for the first one - I am only reporting the facts (I would also quote the name of Guy Gibson's dog as an excuse at this point)

Captain Daniel Murray Bayne "Nigger" Galbraith clams his 3rd kill and earns himself a DSC in the process - Flight Sub-Lieutenant Daniel Murray Boyne Galbraith, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services in attacking a large enemy two-seater seaplane on the 28th September, 1916. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Galbraith's machine was severely damaged by gun-fire from the enemy machine, which finally blew up in the air.



Captain Edwin Louis "Lobo" Benbow 40 Squadron RFC also claims his second kill on this day.



Captain James Leith Leith 25 Squadron RFC claims his first aerial victory - he would go on to claim a total of nine aerial victories before the wars end.

Lieutenant Maximillian John Jules Gabriel "Monty" Mare-Montembault of 32 Squadron RFC claims his second kill on this day... From the North Somerset Yeomanry, Maximillian John Jules Gabriel Mare-Montembault was seconded for duty with the Royal Flying Corps on 3 August 1916 and was posted to 32 Squadron on 10 August 1916. He scored 6 victories flying the D.H.2 and was shot down on 10 October 1916. On 6 March 1917, he was captured by the Germans when he was shot down for the second time by Adolf von Tutschek. He remained a prisoner for the duration of the war. On 10 April 1919 he relinquished his commission on account of ill-health contracted on active service.



Lieutenant William Geoffrey Meggitt - 25 Squadron RFC opens his account with a double on this day in 1916 - William Geoffrey Meggitt served with the 3rd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps; confirmed in the rank of Second Lieutenant on 2 November 1915; promoted to Lieutenant on 31 March 1917. He was reported missing in action on 8 November 1917 but was wounded and captured by the Germans.

It is obviously a day for claiming your second victories as we have yet another one here in the form of Lieutenant Louis Fernand Coudouretof the French Air Service.



Sous Lieutenant Georges Charles Marie François Flachaire claims his sixth kill of the war.



Sous Lieutenant Marcel P. Viallet of the French Air Service claims his 5th kill on this day and is officially recognised as an Ace.




Adjutant Pierre Augustin François Violet-Marty of the French Air Service claims his second kill on this day. His Medaille Militaire citation reads as follows: Médaille Militaire
"Remarkable pilot, admired by both his leaders and his comrades for his courage, strength and coolness. On 6 August 1916 he put a Fokker to flight during a combat in which his plane was hit by two bullets. On 11 August he calmly carried out an artillery spotting mission amidst heavy shelling, until his observer was wounded. Then on 26 August he flew over attacking troops at low altitude in spite of the most unfavourable atmospheric circumstances. Already cited in orders three times." Médaille Militaire citation, 17 September 1916



There were also victories for Hans Berr, Oswald Boelcke, Erwin Bohme and Wilhelm Frankl amongst others.

opening his account on this day we have Vizefeldwebel Albert Hausmann... After scoring 15 victories, Haussmann was shot down in flames while strafing troops near Romagne. Jumping from the burning plane, he was killed when his parachute failed to open in time.

Another pilot claiming his second kill was Lieutenant Hans Immelmann An Eindecker pilot with KEK Metz, Imelmann was selected by Oswald Boelcke for service with Jasta 2. Having scored six victories during the last three months of 1916, Imelmann was the first German ace to be shot down in 1917. In an encounter with a B.E.2c, Immelman's Albatros went down in flames after an accurate burst of machine gun fire struck his fuel tank.



Hans Karl Muller, Leopold Reimann and Emil Shape also claim victories on this day...

Finallly we have the South African pilot Captain Henry "Duke" Meintjes who claims his first kill on this day.



Lieutenant Henry Meintjes received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2385 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Thetford on 2 January 1916 and was posted to 60 Squadron. After claiming four victories and becoming a flight commander, he was reassigned to 56 Squadron in April 1917. Scoring his final victories on the evening of 7 May 1917, Meintjes' patrol of S.E.5s encountered Jasta 11. In the battle that followed, Albert Ball was lost and Meintjes was wounded in the wrist while shooting down two Albatros D.IIIs. Meintjes later served with the South African Air Force, attaining the rank of Major.

and given that it is now 2:15am I'm off to bed

[Flying Officer Kyte]

That sure was a marathon effort Chris.
Well done that man.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

Thank you Wingco