4 Squadron AFC

[Croix de Guerre]

I have come across a reference to the "4th Australian Squadron" sharing its airfield at Clairmarais (south) with 74 Squadron around June 10 thru the 12th 1918. A pilot of 74 states that his airplane was damaged by a member of 4 Squadron coming in for a night landing. In the Australian War Memorial web page on 4 Squadron, it states; "During the German spring offensive, the squadron was heavily involved in strafing and bombing operations in support of the retreating Allied ground forces. Threatened by the German advance the Squadron moved from Bruay to Clairmarais North on 28 April 1918 and joined 11th Wing, part of the British 2nd Army. '"Due to repeated enemy bombing attacks on the Clairmarais North airfield, the Squadron moved to Reclinghem on 30 June, where it shared the aerodrome with 2 Squadron AFC. Both squadrons formed part of 80th Wing under the British 5th Army. In July, the squadron was heavily involved in offensive patrols and also provided escorts for bombing and reconnaissance missions. 4 Squadron maintained a high operational tempo throughout the great Allied offensive launched in early August 1918."

Because both airfields were so close together, would it have been possible for aircraft from No. 4 to have also been based out of Clairmararias South as well? Or is it more likely this was a straggler lost in the darkness?

[ONEALM]

Tom -

The RAF Intelligence Summary for 30th June states:

4th Squadron AFC moved from CLAIRMARAIS to RECLINGHEM on transfer from
2nd Brigade to 10th Brigade.

Halley's excellent "Squadons of the RAF and Commonwealth 1918-1988" has 4th AFC located at (dates are arrival dates):
Bruay 19 Jan 1918
Claimarais 28 April 1918
Reclinghem 30 June
etc....

Not much clarity to your problem since it does not specify north or south, but it does confirm the dates the unit moved.

Mike