49 Sqn RAF

25 February 2003, 05:34 PM

Hi,

Does anyone know the unit location of 49 Sqn RAF during the spring/summer of 1918?

Regards

Graeme · 26 February 2003, 11:57 AM

According to Squadrons of the Royal Air Force by James J Halley:

La Bellevue from 12-Nov-1917
Zeauvis from 27-Mar-1918
Boisdinghem from 29-Mar-1918
Petite Synthe from 30-Mar-1918
Conteville from 3-May-1918
Fourneuil from 2-Jun-1918
Beauvois from 21-Jun-1918
Rozoy-en-Brie from 14-Jul-1918
Beauvois from 4-Aug-1918
Villers-lez-Cagnicourt from 30-Oct-1918

Graeme

26 February 2003, 01:15 PM

Hi Graeme,
Your knowledge of the British air arm never ceases to amaze me! Thank you very much for the info.

regards

26 February 2003, 06:20 PM

Now you know where, would you like a description? I have copies of the letters of observer G R Cuttle.
In short, two flights one side of the road, one on the other.

27 February 2003, 12:58 PM

Hi Neville,

That sounds very interesting. Does his letters describe details of the flight line and how the crews operated on a daily basis? 49 Sqn had to crews that did forced landings near the airbase at Fournevil on June 11, 1918. Could either Fouquerolles or Montiers be on one side of the road, with Fournevil on the other?

regards

Rick · 27 February 2003, 01:30 PM

WW, If you don't have the Michelin map of the area, I'd suggest looking using expedia.com. It could very well answer your own question. R.

27 February 2003, 03:24 PM

W_W. Yes, his letters are very detailed, but best info comes from the C O in 1919, writing to Mrs Cuttle , and GRC's own mail to rellies.
Give me time to sort out the info. Problem lies in this site staying put while I put in all the words.
I might 'time-out'
The Cuttle family were shopkeepers in Victoria's Mallee region, north of Ultima,and beyond Manangatang.
In 1924 they retired, selling a square mile as a townsite and for fruitgrowing. On the day of the public auction for lots, Mrs cuttle spread a banner on the new railway fence, in memory of her son Robin, reading Vale-Robin, or Robin-Vale.
The town took its name from this sentiment. Robinvale. Look it up on your search engine.

27 February 2003, 05:56 PM

G R Cuttle, dated 6 Jan 1918.
" Imagine a large field of 100 acres with a balloon in each corner tethered on a pole to let you know the direction of the wind.The hangars are usually on the side of the feild near a good road, the workshops and men's quarters to the rear; the mess and officer's quarters etc no little distance away in the nearby wood.
Imagine a rotten day with heavy for.A few mechanics and officers are in the sheds tinkering on the busses. The remainder are making merry in the mess and generally acting the fool.
The fog clears and immediately the orderly officer goes up to 'test the air'. If his report is favorable a siren goes and the people standing by for a war show immediately rush off to tag (sic).
About two minutes later you see them emerge from their huts already clad for high flying. On arrival at the drome you see all the machines lined up nose to the wind, mechanics rushing everywhere.
The observer tests his gun on the range, fixes it in the bus, arranges maps, etc and makes all comfortable. Then for a cup of Bovril or beef tea and biscuits and last of all a final smoke.
The pilot has already got his engine running and tested it for RPM and also looked to his gun. When all is ready the Flt Commander signals and all take their seats and fit goggles and mufflers etc.
The engines are creating a hell of a roar and it is hard to hear and then speak. The C O gives the signal and off goes the first machine, the right-hand one, followed at about 30 second intervals by all the rest. If a flight is detailed to leave the ground at a certain time the first machine leaves to the second.
The machines all circle round the ground then, getting into formation and gaining height.
When all is O K they signal down that it is so, and then they are signalled from the ground to move off. the leader turns his nose to the line and away they go, ready for anything."
10-7-'19. Capt R L Crofton to Mrs Cuttle.
Our Aerodrome there has two fields, one on each side of the road near the village of Conteville a few miles south of Aix-le-chateau. C flight has one field, A & B the other. Early in June we were given the distinction of serving with HQ wing, comm by Col. Holt DSO, and from then until the end of the war literally became a travelling circus moving about
very frequently to whereever the main fighting was."