[R Gannon]

Steve

If the clock dose not beat me here is a little something on 26 Mar 18.

You may or may not know that 25 Mar 18 was the critical day on the British Third Army front during the Michael Offensive - quite simply 17 German divisions bludgeoned their way through 6 battered British divisions and reached the old Somme front line at Hamel & Serre (ominous names of 1 Jul 16). Whilst fresh British, Australian & NZ troops were being rushed into the line, an all out air effort was called for on 26 Mar 18.

Called upon to help were 1 Sqn (SE5's) & 19 Sqn (Dolphins) based far to the north at Bailluel on British Second Army front. The 1 Sqn experience is telling - either side of 0630 14 SE5's departed Bailluel for Bruay on British First Army front - this was base of 4 AFC (Camels) & 40 Sqn (SE5's) already commited to flying missions into Third Army area. The SE's arrived at 0720 and at 0850 they took off to low bomb & mg German ground formations to around Bapaume. They returned at 1055 and then went out again at 1255! Camels of 4 AFC were already in action same area at 0830 and low bomb patrols would return at 1130, 1230 & 1515. 19 Sqn flew its first mission at 1000 and then again at 1200.

Summaries of these attacks are telling and space & time will only allow four examples:

Lt Denovan (1 sqn) attacked a collumn of infantry on the march along main road at Villers by dropping bombs from a height of 100ft - enemy scattered and fell and a general panic ensued.

A camp at Sapignes was attacked by bombs and the personnel, horses and transport was dispersed in absolute disorder - later the camp was seen in flames. The following pilots bombed the camp and circled around firing heavily as the camp dispersed - Lt's Mawbey, Gray, Hollis and Magoun (1 sqn).

Lt Blythe (19 Sqn) attacked troops at Le Sars with bombs, also observing bombs fall amongst transport - some troops fell down others scattered. All ammunition was fired at troops which scattered in complete disorder.

Lt Hainsby (19 Sqn) dropped bombs on infantry marching west and scattered them completely.

There are over 30 other summaries from these squadrons telling similar tales. Many by names which would be familiar to those who own of 'Above the Lines' - Hamilton, rigby, Clayson & Bateman of 1 Sqn, Maj Carter, Capt Leacroft, De Pencier, Hardaman & Fairclough of 19 Sqn, GH Lewis of 40 Sqn, Malley & Trescowthick of 4 AFC - aces all.

Pointedly none of these missions were contested in the air; what losses two 1 Sqn SE5's ftl and one 19 sqn Dolphin ftl. One 1 Sqn SE5 missing (Lt Gray pow). One 4 AFC pilot wounded (Wright) All with possible exception of Wright to ground fire.

Opposition was finally encountered on the last outing when Js 2 & Js 26 dove on the low flying planes with Js 26's Ltn Reimer probably accounting for Lt Denovan kia and Vfw Fruhner downing Lt Hollis pow (both 1 Sqn). Ltn Lange most likely shot down 19 Sqn's Lt Blythe in flames and Js 2's Ltn Plange likely accounted for Lt Hainsby kia. A third 'Martinsyde' (sic) was claimed by Ostv Esswien which likely reflects the Dolphin of Capt Jennings who ftl at Mazingarbe.

There were no recorded German losses but Lt Rigby of 1 Sqn poured 300 rds into one attacking Albatros which went down in flames c 1710 and was confirmed by 40 Sqn pilots trying to act as top cover. The number of attackers was given as nine. Shorttly after c 1725 8 EA attacked 19 Sqn (given as 1 tripe & 7 Alb scouts). Capt Jennings together with Lt de Pencier and Lt Warden of 40 squadron combined to crash an Albatros at Achiet le Grand. Other Alb scouts were sent down OOC by Harrison and Learoyd of 40 Sqn. Harrison's was at 1740 from a dual formation of 6 Tripes & 6 Alb scouts.

You may note that my choice of examples centered on those pilots who made the supreme sacrifice that day in what was telling support for the hard pressed Third Army.

Not surprising then that the war diary of the German 2nd Foots Guards would complain of this figghting: 'There are many British but no German flying men up.'

Cheers Russ