No 32 Squadron and British bases in France

[jonathon]

8)My father was with No 32 Squadron from 29th Sept 1917 until shot down in November 1917.I have found it frustrating that I can find no reference to the flying characteristics of the DH5,any detailed construction details etc.Has anyone any reference about the bases in France ? My fathers log book or Army Book 425, Pilots Flying Log Book is afull record of his Training and Combat experience but has no mention of the base. From the 1st Nov 1917 no further combat record was kept,I was wondering if the records of No 32 Squadron would be available anywhere.The PRO UK was unable to locate.

[MikeW]

jonathon,

Trevor Henshaw's The Sky Their Battlefield records the following 32 squadron DH5s shot down in November:

Lt A Claydon on 10th
2Lt WR Jones on 16th
Capt WR Fish on 19th
2Lt DW Lane on 20th
2Lt D Francis on 28th

Was he one of these?

The DH5 part of your question will, I'm sure soon be answered by other members of the forum.

It's unlucky that your father didn't record his bases in the log book - he probably took "secrecy" seriously. A lot of pilots were more laid back, and carefully recorded everywhere they were stationed.

You might try the RAF Museum at Hendon, a contact email address can be found on their website. They will (eventually) reply with brief details of anything they have, and you would then have to make an appointment to view any material they might have.

You can search the AIR1 file at the PRO on-line, it's very slow and time consuming but you might find some useful references. At least you would take more time to look than the person you contacted!!

Good luck in your search.


Mike

[MilesC]

32 Squadron occupied the following bases, the date (Day/Month/Year) is the date of arrival at the base:

Britain RFC 32 Netheravon 12 1 1916
Britain RFC 32 St-Omer 28 5 1916
Britain RFC 32 Auchel 4 6 1916
Britain RFC 32 Treizennes 7 6 1916
Britain RFC 32 Vert Galand 21 7 1916
Britain RFC 32 Lealvillers 25 10 1916
Britain RFC 32 Abeele 3 7 1917
Britain RFC 32 Droglandt 8 7 1917
Britain RFC 32 Bailleul 5 3 1918
Britain RFC 32 Belleville Farm 27 3 1918
Britain RFC 32 Beauvois 29 3 1918
Britain RAF 32 Fouquerolles 3 6 1918
Britain RAF 32 Ruisseauville 21 6 1918
Britain RAF 32 Touquin 18 7 1918
Britain RAF 32 La Bellevue 3 8 1918
Britain RAF 32 Pronville 27 10 1918
Britain RAF 32 La Brayelle 1 11 1918

They flew the following aircraft (the dates are the date of first acceptance and the date they gave up the last ones). Where there is an overlap the squadron flew more than one type:

Airco DH2 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2 1916 * * *7 1917
Vickers ED1 * * * * * * * * * * * * *5 1916 * * *7 1916
Airco DH5 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 5 1917 * * *3 1918
Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5A * 5 1917 * * *3 1918

He was participating in the Battle of Cambrais with 11th Army Wing, as there was likely a lot of preparatory work to the Battle HQ likely impressed on them the need for secrecy. This was the battle where the tank was first used en masse to good effect.

The DH5s were apparently easy to fly (in comparison to a Camel), had a superb forward view, and no view high to the rear or behind, a single gun (totally inadequate) and a rather problematic engine. They were eventually used for ground straffing and were used for this purpose in the Battle of Cambrais. This was very hazardous duty as the groundfire was severe.

This is the DH5:



Check my page on it at:

http://www.accessweb.com/users/mconstab/DH5.htm

Hope this helps.

Miles

[alex_revell]

Jonathon.
The following boxes at the PRO have 32 Squadron records. All are in Air1. 1495. Sqdn book of combats Nothing between Aug and Oct 1917. Combat reports in boxes 2221,1493,1494,1495,1222.
Hope this helps
Alex

[jonathon]

Alex Thanks very much for info in PRO tedious but the Curators are a great help. Your comment re no combat reports during period mentioned ( no combat reports made by my father from 1st Nov 1917)to date he was shot down 19Sept indicate to that they were I presume told not to give any as they were attached to the 11th Army Airwing prior to the Battle of Cambrai.What was required of them and their briefing I dont know. Regards

Jonathon

The DH.5 is one of my pet aeroplanes. *I have collected a lot of information about it including construction details.

A good point to start is the Windsock Datafile on the DH.5. *The best place to get it in Australia is Hylands Bookshop in Melbourne.

As for flying characteristics I have a classic book called 'The Clouds Remember' by Leonard Bridgman and Oliver Stewart. *

If you contact me offline I'll be happy to mail you some information if you want.

In the meantime here is an illustration from the DH.5 Rigging Manual which can be found in several publications including the Datafile.