RE8 Squadron Marking

[MikeW]

Which RE8 squadron had a vertical white bar immediately behind the fuselage cockade? As you all know, I'm crap at RFC stuff!!!!


Mike

[EricGoedkoop]

9 Sqn.

http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark009A.htm

Hope this helps,

Eric

[MikeW]

Thanks Eric,

9 Squadron was a surprise, any idea where they were based in June and July 1917? RAF Web doesn't seem to cover that.

Mike

[fliegertruppe]

Hello MikeW,
the 9 squadron was from 10 june 1917 to 11 april 1918 in Proven.
(Source "R.A.F Squadrons" Author Wing Commander C.G.Jefford MBE RAF 1988)

Reinhard

[Shredward]

Here's a Harry Tate of 9 RAF flown by Lt VW Burgess from Proven Aerodrome. via the magic of computers and Red Baron
cheers,
shredward

[Vigilant]

For once I actually have some notes relevant to the topic! Here's some info on 9 Sqn (including Lt. Vernon Burgess) during the 3rd Battle of Ypres:

9 Squadron was part of Fifteenth (Corps) Wing, under Fifth Brigade RFC, and was detailed to cooperate with XIV Corps of Fifth Army during the Battle. XIV Corps was positioned on the extreme left (north) of Fifth Army and was expected to advance in the general direction of Poelcapelle, while the French First Army protected its flank. The Squadron was based within 10 miles of the front at the aerodrome of Proven, which it shared with 7 Squadron. Its CO was Major H.J.F. Hunter, MC.

The Squadron was heavily involved in the Battle of Langemark (16 - 27 August) and was required to carry out the usual Corps duties of artillery observation, contact patrol, photography and counter-attack spotting. It was commended for its accurate reports of the effect of counter-battery fire in a post-battle assessment by the GOC Royal Artillery XIV Corps. The latter part of the battle was conducted in driving rain storms, forcing the RE8s of 9 Squadron down low.

At these altitudes they were in some danger from their own shells as Lt. Vernon Burgess recorded: Several times I had to fly through rain storms. It's cruel work then, the exposed parts of one's face get stung and goggles dim. To get the bearings one has to watch the ground hence the face suffers. We also have to fly low to be able to see the ground at all. ... Once this week I noticed some black shapes pass us. They were shells. It does not seem possible, but we often see them whizz by us.... Some very close shaves were experienced by Corps machines and Burgess was unlucky enough to be piloting an RE8 when a shell actually went through his wing. He cooly wrote to his mother: I have had a fairly quiet week up till now. Last Monday a shell passed through my top plane, and made rather a mess of things. It shot my aileron control wire. I waddled back to the aerodrome like a wounded bird (pic below). Another 9 Squadron crew was not so lucky and was lost to a direct shell hit.

Accommodation for aircrew was tented until the end of September 1917 when huts were erected. The aerodrome was well within the sound of the guns and often received the attentions of German night bombers, forcing personnel to take to dugouts on many nights.

Vig.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Mike W:
In June 1917, No.9 Squadron was based at Estrée-en Chaussée. No.9 Squadron was under the Third Corps Wing of the Hq.IV Brigade of the British Fourth Army. No.9 Squadron was in the process of re-equipping and resting.
In July 1917, No.9 Squadron, R.E.8 was located at Proven under the HQ.Fifteenth Wing, under Hq.V Brigade, Fifth Army.
A Flight used numbers1 -8, B Flight used 9-16 and C Flight used 19 to 24.
The Squadron marking was a white vertical band about 12" wide about 3 feet aft of the fuselage cockade.
The white flight numbers were painted on both sides of the fuselage aft of the white band.
After December 1917letter replaced the number for aircraft identication. A Flight A-H, B Flight J to Q, C Flight R to Y. The aircraft letters were placed between the cockade and the white band. This continued to the EOW.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

GO WELL, GO SHELL!
The shell through the top plane incident was on 16/9/'17.From his log book;

First trip for the day was at 10:30, a contact patrol at 800ft, with Lt Gillie in RE.3469

Second trip, at 6 pm, Art Obs, Passenger Lt Gillie. RE >3621: He was at 4,000ft. Remarks; "Forced to return home. Shell hit top plane."

[MikeW]

Well thanks chaps. I was trying to figure out why an RE8 from 9 Squadron RFC would turn up in an RNAS Photograph album!

The RNAS squadron (No.6) would have been based at Chipilly and later Flez, and was attached to the 4th Brigade, so it looks like the RE8 was an escapee from Dan San's Estrée-en Chaussée Aerodrome in June.

Does anyone want to see it?

Mike

Of course we do. Any serial number visible?