East Africa Air Ops - Awards

Several months ago there was a query and some discussion respecting air operations in East Africa, much of it dealing with the destruction of the "Koenigsburg". In the course of some other work I have pulled together the following which may interest anyone still interested in the topic:

BOWHILL, Frederick William, Wing Commander, Royal Naval Air Service - unit ? - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 February 1918.

In recognition of his invaluable services as Commanding Officer of the Royal Naval Air Service, employed in connection with military operations in East Africa. It is due to his experience and unceasing labour that his small unit of the Royal Naval Air Service has been of such assistance to the military operations. He has instilled a high sense of discipline into those under his orders.

DELAMERE, Rudolph Dawson, Flight Lieutenant - unit ? - Distinguished Service Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 February 1918. Born 10 June 1891 in Toronto; home there; attended University of Toronto (degree in Applied Science and Engineering). Passed tests at Curtiss School, 30 July 1915; appointed Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant in RNAS, 30 July 1915; sailed on Corinthean, 6 August 1915; arrived UK, 26 August 1915; to East Africa, 7 February 1916; to "Hysainth" {?}, 7 April 1916; to No.231 Squadron, 27 October 1918; repatriated 2 April 1919. In a letter to Collishaw, 4 May 1964 he described his movements in Africa as with No.4 (N) Squadron (Cull), No.7 (N) Squadron (Nanson) and No.8 (N) Squadron (Bowhill) - the last also called No.8 Seaplane Squadron, Zanzibar.

In recognition of the gallantry and devotion to duty shown by him in carrying out reconnaissance, bombing and photographic flights during the military operations in the Lindi (East Africa) area.

DUNN, W.H., Flight Commander, Royal Naval Air Service - unit ? - Distinguished Service Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 February 1918.

In recognition of his services whilst employed in connection with military operations in East Africa. He did splendid work during the operations in the Lindi area, and carried out valuable bombing and reconnaissance flights.

[Graeme]

Hugh,

From reference to Royal Navy Aircraft Serials and Units:

BOWHILL was the CO of 8 Sqn RNAS in Zanzibar by 31 May 1916 and was succeeded by G R Bromet on 25 October 1916 (Bromet got the DSO and the Legion d'Honneur per the London Gazette of 2 June 1917). Bowhill got a Bar to his DSO - London Gazette 3 June 1919, no citation.

DELAMERE was a member of 7 Sqn RNAS; “Hysainth” should, I think, be “HMS Hyacinth” one of the three cruisers that took part in the search for the Königsberg in July/August 1914. "Hyacinth" also shelled the “Rubens”, a “Hilfschiff” taking supplies to the Königsberg in April 1915. No mention is made in Royal Navy Aircraft Serials and Units of 4 Sqn RNAS operating in East Africa.

DUNN was with the detachment of 8 Sqn RNAS operating in East Africa. This detachment disbanded in East Africa in December 1917.

Graeme

Regarding Bowhill:
Bowhill, F, W., LtCol. listed as with 8sqdn, & 62 wing, Flew in launched flights from HMS Hermes (1913)in a/c 55 & 56 (caudrons)He was wrecked and rescued at sea from 56. He crashed? 81, a Short folder flying from Hermes later in 1913. the posts listed were likely from this period. No data beyond '13

Delamere, R. D. F/SLt. flying 3214 bleroit XI @ ringmer, a/c damaged.
In 8715, a BE2c, he got lost? on 5 dec. '16, and wrecked the a/c 15 miles from destination of Iringa (E. Africa?)

Dunn, W. H. service from '14 on (ignoring early stuff) He crashed 822, a Short 827 seaplane near Orah, 10 miles S. of Kut. (where the devil?..)in feb. '16. He had an eng, failure crashing in voisin 5 #8702 @ Dar-es-Salaam in nov. '16. This was an '8 sqdn zanzibar' a/c. What 8 Sqdn? There's a question for a thread all by itself!
(note there were 8 of these voisins shipped to E. Africa & zanzibar, which seem to have seen much action. Two pilots being killed after forced landing by German Askari troops.)
Ah, Dunn flew V1540, a voisin transferred to RN from RFC, apparently in food drops during seige of Kut, which turns out to be on the Mespotamian front.
Query is "Hysainth" a typo? there was a "Hyasinth". a ship.

these fragments from 'RN a/c serials & units' (Page/Sturtivant)
There are no listings in 'The Sky their Battlefield' for your three in the E. Africa section.

[Graeme]

8 Squadron RFC/RAF only ever operated on the Western Front during the Great War (as per The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force, James J Halley), so that leaves only 8 Squadron RNAS.

According to Royal Navy Aircraft Serials and Unit 1911-1919 (Sturtivant and Page), page 434, the history of 8 Squadron RNAS/208 Squadron RAF is:

Formed in the UK (at Grain?) 3.1.16?
In transit in SS Laconia .16
Arrived Chukwani Bay, Zanzibar 3.16 [referred to as Cape Sqdn by 7.16 East Africa Force by 7.17]

Detachments at:
Kilwa
HMS Himalaya @1.11.16
HMS Manica @9.2.17
HMS Princess 1.3.17
Lindi 12.3.17
HMS Manica 28.3.17
Lindi @7.7.17
Mtua @17.11.17 (Voisins)
HMFA Trent 27.5.17
Arrived Lindi 1.6.17.
Disbanded wef 12.17. The last batch of personnel and material left Zanzibar on or about 17.4.18

A detached squadron with no number was attached 22 Wing 5 Brigade by 11.10.16 and formed the nucleus of another 8 Squadron, operating at the same time as the 8 Squadron in East Africa, as follows:

Reformed from flights of 1, 4 and 5 Wings as 8 Squadron at St Pol 25.10.16
Vert Galant 26.10.16
St.Pol 3.2.17 (for a rest and re-equipment. Aircraft split into 8 & 9 Sqdns. Relieved by 3 Squadron)
Furnes 14.2.17
Lozinghem (Auchel) 27.3.17
Mont St Eloi 16.5.17
Bray Dunes (Middle aerodrome) 1.3.18
Walmer 3.3.18
Bray Dunes (Middle aerodrome) 28.3.18
Teteghem 30.3.18
Became 208 Sqdn 1.4.18
La Gorgue 2.4.18
Serny 9.4.18
Tramecourt 30.7.18
Foucacourt 23.9.18
Estrees-en-Chaussee 9.10.18
Maretz 26.10.18

Ultimately disbanded 7.11.19.

To correct my earlier effort, Geoffrey Rhodes Bromet was definitely the CO of the naval unit on the Western Front (I've seen his name on Combat Reports submitted by the squadron); Bowhill was the CO of the outfit in Zanzibar from May 1916 until disbandment in December 1917.

And if my internet connection didn't keep dropping out, I'd have posted this a lot sooner. Anyone else been affected by last Thursday's thunderstorm?

Graeme

[Graeme]

8 Squadron RFC/RAF only ever operated on the Western Front during the Great War (as per The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force, James J Halley), so that leaves only 8 Squadron RNAS.

According to Royal Navy Aircraft Serials and Unit 1911-1919 (Sturtivant and Page), page 434, the history of 8 Squadron RNAS/208 Squadron RAF is:

Formed in the UK (at Grain?) 3.1.16?
In transit in SS Laconia .16
Arrived Chukwani Bay, Zanzibar 3.16 [referred to as Cape Sqdn by 7.16 East Africa Force by 7.17]

Detachments at:
Kilwa
HMS Himalaya @1.11.16
HMS Manica @9.2.17
HMS Princess 1.3.17
Lindi 12.3.17
HMS Manica 28.3.17
Lindi @7.7.17
Mtua @17.11.17 (Voisins)
HMFA Trent 27.5.17
Arrived Lindi 1.6.17.
Disbanded wef 12.17. The last batch of personnel and material left Zanzibar on or about 17.4.18

A detached squadron with no number was attached 22 Wing 5 Brigade by 11.10.16 and formed the nucleus of another 8 Squadron, operating at the same time as the 8 Squadron in East Africa, as follows:

Reformed from flights of 1, 4 and 5 Wings as 8 Squadron at St Pol 25.10.16
Vert Galant 26.10.16
St.Pol 3.2.17 (for a rest and re-equipment. Aircraft split into 8 & 9 Sqdns. Relieved by 3 Squadron)
Furnes 14.2.17
Lozinghem (Auchel) 27.3.17
Mont St Eloi 16.5.17
Bray Dunes (Middle aerodrome) 1.3.18
Walmer 3.3.18
Bray Dunes (Middle aerodrome) 28.3.18
Teteghem 30.3.18
Became 208 Sqdn 1.4.18
La Gorgue 2.4.18
Serny 9.4.18
Tramecourt 30.7.18
Foucacourt 23.9.18
Estrees-en-Chaussee 9.10.18
Maretz 26.10.18

Ultimately disbanded 7.11.19.

To correct my earlier effort, Geoffrey Rhodes Bromet was definitely the CO of the naval unit on the Western Front (I've seen his name on Combat Reports submitted by the squadron); Bowhill was the CO of the outfit in Zanzibar from May 1916 until disbandment in December 1917.

And if my internet connection didn't keep dropping out, I'd have posted this a lot sooner. Anyone else been affected by last Thursday's thunderstorm?

Graeme

To Hugh Halliday Re East Africa ops, 7th July et seq by others. Good source of info if not yet seen, EARLY BIRD by William Geoffrey MOORE OBE DSC,
Putnam 1963.
Brief notes, begin Ch3, "I was posted to join No9 sq, Cdr ERC Nelson..Zanzibar.. Short 827's"
".. end of March 1916 S/C Nansen handed over to Bowhill. Half his Sq sent to relieve No7 on landplanes up-country.."
"Before the end of Jan 1917, No7 (Naval) was called home..machines handed to 26 RFC."
Moore serves with Gen Northey on BE2. Recc for DSO gets DSC. Great account, many names, and ripping yarn.
Further reading, R A F Flying Review Oct 1960.
Shorts 3093/4/5 and 8218 lent to Belgians at Lake M'Toa Jan-Aug 1916