GB 1 during Verdun Offensive

Hello,

Does anyone have descriptions of the missions flown by GB 1 (SOP 66 and 111) during their stay in the Verdun Sector (August 12 - Sep ? 1917). Any details of these missions (dates, losses, targets, etc.) would be most welcomed.

regards

[gregoire]

I will have a look at it now that I am back (for some time hopefully)

[vb136]

The JMO of GB 1 notes attacks on railway stations, camps, ammunition dumps etc during this period. The missions were normally flown with an escort of SPADs.
SOP 111 lost S/Lt Aignan and Cpl Boudon of SOP 111 in air-combat on 18 August. This was apparently the only loss suffered by the day-time element of GB 1 during the period.

Thanks gregoire and welcome back! I look forward to anything you can add. I appreciate the information Vb136. The information you shared is very interesting. If you come across any information in the future, please let me know!

regards

[vb136]

Winged warrior,

I have a copy of the GB 1 war diary(JMO), and can send you more detailed information if you are interested.

[gregoire]

I did that yesterday night so it is a bit messy


GB 1 in 1916
The 3rd February, GB1 lose 3 of its squadron that convert to fighter (102, 103 and 112)
With the verdun battle the GB1 unit that were in Loraine modified their target to attack the main road to Verdun.
The main attack of VC110 and VB101 were against the target in the Meuse Valley
The main target of GB 1 unit were the train station on the Meuse Valley, Brieulles, Dun sur Meuse, Damvilleur, Etain Longuyon, Mont Medy as well as some barracks in Montfaucon Azonnes...
14th march VB101 moves to Lemmes
in march Cpt Vuillemin made several raid on the main train station in the Meuse valley
VB 101 under Cpt Laurens made night attack to train station close to Mezieres
10th April VB 110 and 114 are asigned to GB1
12th 13th April VB101 attack comflan as well as some factory in Rombach
24th April VB101 and VB114 move to the Verdun front and before the end of the month drop 112 bomb on various train stations
C66 assigned to GB1 from 19th June to 15th September
Early July VB 114 became the lone bomber squadron with F25 the other being send to the some and by the end of the month all the squadron of voisin squadron had been send to the some.
C66 made some day bombing in the chaillon barracks (south of st Mihel)
28th June C66 under de Kerelis made a day attack to Karlsruch during this attack it lost 3 out of 9 plane engaged
Changing its attack method it suffer no lose in July and even gain a victory in august
In may GB1 total reach 430 bombs.
During the whole June and July its only drop 295 bomb before its voisin leave to the some
14th 15th September VB110 attack Rombach again
22nd 23rd October 110 and 114 attack Hagordange and Busingen as well as some airfield



VB 136 I will be extremely interested by a copy of GB1 JMO

Hi,

Thanks gregoire for the information on GB1. Will you continue on with 1917? Yes vb136, I would like some specific dates of missions flown during August-September 1917 (if you have them). One question: were all the daylight raids carried out by Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters at this time, or were other aircraft types involved? Also, could either of you tell me if the Farman was being used during this period for night bombing in Verdun? Did these missions sometime end at daybreak?


regards

[gregoire]

the 66 was listed as a Caudron G4 equiped unit in 16 I have found no imformation of C66 using soptwith during its time with GB1 in 16
the main bombing squadron at verdun (the one that was present during the whole of 1916) was the MF latter F25 that was using Farman at this time. so for the bomber I have caudron G4 Voisin 4 (cannon) and LAS as well as some farman.

[vb136]

Winged warrior

During the afternoon of 16 August 1917, one Sopwith crew bombed barracks near Manre.
17 August: 14 Sopwith 1B2 attacked St Juvin, Grandpré and Fleville railway stations and camps near Somme-Py.
Between 18-19.30 5 Sopwith 1B2 bombarded Challerange railway station
18 August: 13 Sopwith, with 16 SPAD as escort, attacked Dun-sur-Meuse railway station, an ammuntion depot near Bantheville and camps in Sommerange. SOP 111 lost one crew, SPAD 124 lost one pilot (Willis)
The escorts claimed 2 German aircraft.
19 August: 11 Sopwith, with an escort of 16 SPADs attacked Sivry-sur-Meuse
20 August: 2 Sopwith, escort 6 SPAD, attacked trenches north of Bethincourt. 3 Sopwith, escort 3 SPAD, attacked German troops with bombs and MG-fire east of Malancourt. 3 Sopwith and 3 SPAD attacked bois d'Herbemont with bombs and MG-fire.
22 August: Morning attack on St Juvin and Grandpré railway stations, by 11 Sopwith, escort 12 SPAD.
Afternoon, same target attacked by 10 Sopwith and 10 SPAD, as well as camps in bois de Cernay.
25 August: 2 Sopwith bombed Challerange railway station.
26 August: 11 Sopwith 1B2, escort 9 SPAD, bombed camps and bivouacs in Gremilly, Marville, Moirey, Bezonveaux and St Christophe farm.
1 September. Afternoon raid on Conflans railway station by 5 Sopwith, escort 10 SPAD
3-4 September: 2 Sopwith crews particpated in night-attacks.
4-5 September: 7 Sopwith crews participated in night-attacks, 5 SOP 1B2 and 2 SOP 1B1
5-6 September: 4 Sopwith crews particpated in night-attacks.
From that date, ubtil the end of the month, the day-time elements of GB 1 did not perform any offensive missions.

GB 1 did not use any Farman aircraft. My guess is that any aircraft of that type operated by day, were used by French recce and art-obs units.

Grégoire: A mon avis, contacter la SHAA à Vincennes pour obtenir une copie du JMO. Le journal consistent de plus de 400 pages, et c'est difficile pour moi de faire une copie. Je suis desolé.

Outstanding! I understand and appreciate the time it took for you to annotate this information. All my questions have been answered.

regards