RAF in S Russia

Hi all,

Does anybody know if is there any article or book (also auto-biografical - in print or out) about activity in SOUTHERN Russia in 1919? Or is it just an other forgotten war?
Thanks in advance to all.
Kay

Hi Kay:For a start, you might consult Christopher Dobson and John Miller, "The Day They Almost Bombed Moscow *The Allied War In Russia 1918-1920" (New York: Atheneum, 1986.)It's a pretty fair history, w/ a good bibliography; no footnotes, however. *Best of luck -- it's an area that could stand a lot more research!Yours aye,Bill

[leo]

Its my understanding that the RAF which hooked up with the White Russian Forces had come out of Iraq after the successful completion of that campaign against the Turks.

Appendix A of CANADIAN AIRMEN AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR by S.F. Wise (University of Toronto Press, 1980) is five and one-half pages on the subject (the book itself was getting too big and the Russian affair could not be handled in detail). For a full account of Allied intervention see Richard H. Ullman, ANGLO-SOVIET RELATIONS, 1917-1921 (Princeton, 1961 to 1972, three volumes). Canadian participation (mainly army) is in Roy MacLaren, CANADIANS IN RUSSIA, 1918-1919 (Toronto 1976) and John Swettenham, ALLIED INTERVENTION IN RUSSIA, 1918-1919 AND THE PART PLAYED BY CANADA.

Following from notes with no editing:


ANDERSON, Flight Lieutenant Walter Fraser - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 April 1920 (see The Aeroplane, 14 April 1920, pp.790-791). Born in Ryde, Isle of Wight, 1890; home in Toronto. Proceeded overseas with CEF (Canadian Army Service Corps), 28 March 1915; on command to RFC, 25 February 1916; to RFC Reading, 25 April 1916; appointed Flying Officer, 10 July 1916; wounded, 29 August 1916 with No.42 Squadron; appointed Lieutenant, RFC, 1 October 1916; with No.42 Squadron, 23 April to 19 September 1917; with No.9 Squadron, 14 September to 3 December 1917, when posted to Home Establishment. By his own account he was a Flight Comander with No.217 Squadron (DH.4 aircraft) at wars end. Date of posting to Russia uncertain. Placed on Retired List, 6 April 1927 (but still in RAF List Reserve, February 1933). Later joined British Airways; killed September 1936 (see Flight, 24 September and 22 October 1936); DH.86 on night mail run to Germany crashed soon after takeoff from Gatwick; seems to have been turning back when he lost height and hit a tree; one theory was that radio operator's foot became wedged between fire extinguisher and second rudder bar. Cited with Flying Officer (Observer) John Mitchell:

On July 30th, 1919, near Cherni Yar (Volga), these officers were pilot and observer respectively of a D.H.9 machine which descended to an altitude of 1,000 feet to take oblique photographs of the enemy's positions. A second machine of the same flight which followed as escort was completely disabled by machine-gun fire and forced to land five miles behind the enemy's foremost troops. Parties of hostile cavalry which attempted to capture the pilot and observer of the crashed machine were kept away by the observer's Lewis gun while the pilot burnt the machine.

Flight Lieutenant Anderson, notwithstanding that his petrol tank had been pierced by a machine gun bullet, landed alongside the wrecked aeroplane, picked up the pilot and observer, and got safely home.

The risk involved in attempting this gallant rescue was very great, as had any accident occurred in landing the fate of all four officers can only be conjectured. The difficult circumstances of the rescue will be full appreciated when it is remembered that Observer Officer Mitchell had to mount the port plane to stop the holes in the petrol tank with his thumbs for a period of 50 minutes flying on the return journey.

NOTE: This incident is notable for having begun as a recommendation for two Victoria Crosses which failed, probably owing to faulty paperwork arising from hasty British evacuation of South Russia. Anderson may also have been awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. For a detailed account see Raymond Collishaw, Air Command, pp.185-188.

ANDERSON, Flight Lieutenant Walter Fraser - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 12 July 1920.

ANDERSON, Flight Lieutenant Walter Fraser - Mention in Despatches - awarded as per London Gazette dated 12 July 1920.

FURTHER NOTE: Public Record Office Air 1/107/15/9/287 has undated recommendation for an AFC emanating from No.217 Squadron:

Recommended for award of Air Force Cross. This officer has done continuous good work during the war, both on Active Service and as an instructor in England. He is a very keen officer and pilot, and has a good command.

Air 1/1957/204/260/12
MG.40 D.1 Vol.30

30 July 1919 - target Charne-Yar - Aircraft as follows:

DH.9 F.1202 (Captain Sidney Gilbert Frogley), dropped 1x112 and 8x20 lb bombs; from 1,800 feet; believed to have hot barges. AA slight; 300 mg rounds fired. (Frogley DFC 28.10.1919) - 1640-1930 hrs

DH.9 D2942 (Captain Anderson), 2x112 and 6x20 lb bombs on barges from 800 feet (one direct hit with a 20-lb bomb), "Landed on return journey to pick up Captain Elliott and Lieutenant Laidlaw who had forced landing; machine hit in petrol tank." 1640 - 1900

DH.9 D2846 (Captain William Elliott) - 2x112 and 6x20 lb bombs from 1,000 feet: dropped bombs in village; force-landed after m.g hits. (Elliott awarded Bar to DFC, 26.9.1919). His observer - Lieutenant H.S. Laidlaw. 1640-#

* * * * *

31 July 1919 - Anderson writes to Commanding Officer, No.47 Squadron:

About 4 p.m. on July 30th 1919 while carrying out orders for a reconnaissance and bomb raid on Charne-Yar and Achcuba in the vicinity of the Volga River for the Russian Caucasian Army I descended to within 1,000 feet about 7 miles over the lines to take oblique photographs for Army intelligence. Captain Elliott in another machine was detailed to escort me.

Both machines were subjected to continuous heavy machine gun fire from the ground. My petrol tank was shot through disabling my motor. Lieutenant Mitchell immediately got out on port plane and effectively stopped the leakage by holding his fingers covering the bullet holes. I dropped my remaining bombs on a gun boat on the Volga.

I then observed Captain Elliott's machine show down by machine gun fire so landed in the vicinity. Several squadrons of cavalry attempted to surround our machines, but they were kept clear by our machine gun fire.

Captain Elliott and Lieutenant Laidlaw (observer) burned their wrecked machine and joined us. I then flew home with all four flying officers. Lieutenant Mitchell remained out on plane throughout the whole ordeal, until he was being continuously burned for fifty minutes by the exhaust from the motor, in addition to the excessive exposure from the exhausting pressure of air resistance.

My machine landed safely at our aerodrome near Tzaritsan.

* * * *

Captain Elliott writes report dated 31 July 1919 to Officer Commanding, No.47 Squadron:

* * *At about 4 p.m. on July 30th while escorting Captain Anderson on special operations in the vicinity of Charne-Yar, I followed Captain Anderson down to within 1,000 feet to take oblique photographs for Russian Caucasian Army Intelligence. *We were subjected to continuous heavy machine gun fire. *My machine was completely disabled by machine gun fire from the ground and I was forced to descend about five miles behind the lines in the vicinity of several squadrons of enemy cavalry. *Lieutenant Laidlaw (my observer) kept them clear by machine gun fire. *I set fire to my damaged machine. *Captain Anderson landed alongside me although his machine was disabled. *Lieutenant Mitchell remained on the plane stopping a bullet hole in the tank. *Lieutenant Laidlaw (my observer) and I got into Captain Anderson's machine and all four flying officers left the ground. *Lieutenant Mitchell remained upon the plane throughout the while fifty minute flight although forced to remain directly in line with the engine exhaust. *In addition the exhausting pressure from air resistance id not stop him shewing his splendid stamina and devotion to duty. *During the whole flight Lieutenant Mitchell was dressed only in shorts owing to the prevailing climate. *This made the heat from the exhaust felt more severely,.

* * *Although Captain Anderson was fully aware of the danger of being taken prisoner by the Bolsheviks, in view of repeated threats and from captured newspapers announcing their intention to crucify any captured British airman he did not hesitate to land at once. *In my opinion this devotion to duty performed with the utmost gallantry deserves the highest praise.

* * ** * * * *

* * *ORDER

* * *C in C Armed Forces, South Russia

* * *No.1534

* * *24th July/6th August 1919 - Taganrog

* * *The following awards are made for distinguished conduct in the field:-

* * *Order of St.Vladimir 4th Class with swords and bow

* * *British Royal Air Force

* * *Captain Anderson
* * *Captain Elliott
* * *Lieutenant Laidlaw
* * *Lieutenant Mitchell

* * * * * * * * *Signed Denikin, Lieutenant-General

* * ** * * * *

8 August 1919 - Major R. Collishaw, CO, No.47 Squadron (Ekaterinodar), sends recommendations for decorations to Brigadier A.C. Maund, DSO, British Military Mission, Rostov, saying "Neither Captain Anderson nor Lieutenant Mitchell have previously received a decoration. *I am sorry to say that Lieutenant Mitchell has subsequently been wounded twice and is now on his way here in hospital bed."

* * ** * * * *

Telegraph message (no date) says Anderson awarded St.George's Cross, 4th Class.

A list dated 7/20 August 1919 awards this to Captains Elliott, Palmer, Frogley and Anderson and to Lieutenant Laidlaw:

* * *During the fighting for Kamyshin on the 12-14 (25-27) July 1919, flying far behind the enemy's lines in spite of the danger of terrific firing from the enemy naval artillery, they helped to spread panic among his lines by dropping bombs on enemy vessels and troops, which was of the greatest assistance to the general success.

Same list awards St.Georges's Cross, 4th Class to Lieutenants Hatchett, Simmonds, Greenslade, Cronin (Canadian), Mercer, Addison, Mitchell:

* * *During the fighting near Cherny Yar on the 33-24 July (5-6 August) flying low above despite heavy gun fire they performed reconnaissances and dropped bombs on enemy troops and vessels, thus assisting our troops to occupy new positions when their right wing was outflanked by cavalry.

* * ** * * * *

The actual recommendation for a VC for Anderson and Mitchell is not dated but is signed by Maunde:

ANDERSON

For most conspicuous gallantry and self sacrificing devotion to duty.

on July 30th, 1919, near Cherni Yar on the river Volga, Captain Anderson, pilot of a D.H.9 machine of "C" Flight, 47 Squadron, RAF, descended to an altitude of 1,000 feet in order to take oblique photographs of the enemy positions. A machine of the same flight which followed as escort was completely disabled by machine gun fire and forced to land five miles behind the enemy's foremost troops. Parties of hostile cavalry which attempted to capture them were kept at bay by the observer with his Lewis gun while the pilot burnt his machine. Captain Anderson, notwithstanding the fact that his petrol tank had been holed by a machine gun bullet, and notwithstanding the well-known enemy threat to crucify any British pilot who fell into his hands, landed alongside the wrecked aeroplane, picked up both the pilot and observer in his machine and brought them back safely.

His observer, Lieutenant John Mitchell, RAF, climbed on to the port plane and stopped the holes in the petrol tank with his thumbs from the time of the hit to the moment of the final landing at the aerodrome.

By his self-sacrificing gallantry combined with the greatest skill, Captain Anderson saved the lives of two of his comrades and performed a deed of valour which will be a tradition in the Russian Army.

He [Mitchell] has since been wounded whilst carrying out a daring raid on enemy craft on the river Volga.

MITCHELL

For most conspicuous gallantry and self-sacrificing devotion to duty. On July 30th, 1919, near Cherni Yar on the river Volga, Lieutenant Mitchell was observer on a D.H.9 machine of "C" Flight, 47th Squadron. The petrol tank of the machine was holed by a bullet from the ground. Lieutenant Mitchell climbed out on to the port plane and closed the holes with his thumbs. He continued to do so whilst his pilot, Captain W.F. Anderson, RAF, landed to pick up the crew of another machine which had been brought down by machine gun fire, five miles behind the enemy's most advanced troops. The pilot and observer of the wrecked machine were picked up and rescued. Lieutenant Mitchell's outstanding gallantry and endurance made it possible for his pilot to continue flying and resulted in the saving of the lives of two of his comrades. He was fifty minutes on the plane, and at the machine landing at the aerodrome was so exhausted by burns from the exhaust and from the air pressure that he had to be sent to hospital.

He has since been wounded while carrying out a daring raid on hostile craft on the river Volga.

* * * * *

General Maund, writing 6 February 1920 to British Military Mission, South Russia suggesting that in the confusion of British evacuations, statements requested from other pilots to substantiate a VC were not secured, although officers on the spot had swung between a VC and a DSO.

Thanks to all friends,
Hugh, I am impressed.You are very generous to share all that research stuff with us!!!
As for Anderson, I have an information about a 2nd Lt FWB Anderson serving in No 66 or 67 Wing
in 1918.Is there a chance it's the same person?
VBR
Kay

Different Anderson.