Bray Dunes/Middle/Frontier Aerodromes

[MikeW]

With the exception of No.6 Squadron RNAS, does anyone know which other squadrons were based at Bray Dunes/Middle/Frontier Aerodromes during July and August of 1917.

Mike

[Dolphin]

The RFC Order of Battle for 31 July 1917, shows the following units based at Bray Dunes/Frontier Aerodrome:

No 34 Sqn RFC (RE8) under Maj C H B Blount MC;

No 52 Sqn RFC (RE8) under Maj A A Walser MC;

No 6 Sqn RNAS (Sopwith Camel) under Sqn-Cdr C D Breese; and

No 48 Sqn RFC (Bristol F.2b) under Maj A V Bettington.

Nos 34 and 52 Sqns were part of the 3rd (Corps) Wing under Lt Col E R Ludlow-Hewitt MC, while No 6 (N) and No 48 Sqns were part of the 14th (Army) Wing under Lt Col R P Mills MC. The 14th Wing itself was also based at Bray Dunes.

[Killratio]

Mike,

34 Squadron (RE8) 29/06/17 - 31/10/17

48 Sqn (Bristol F2B) 10/07/17 - 14/09/17

52Sqn (RE8) 15/06/17 - 06/12/17

54 Sqn (Pups) 18/06/17 - 16/07/17

4N Sqn (Pup + Camel) 01/04/17 - 02/01/18

9N Sqn (Tripe /Camel) 10/07/17 - 24/07/17

Honary mention 3N (Camel) arived 06/09/17 stayed 'til 31/10/17

Of these, 9N is the only one specifically listed as "Frontier", this was, as far as I can make out, really just a big "ALG" but that is supposition...

Regards

Darryl

[Killratio]

Mike, Dolphin,

Just to add a bit,

48 Sqn was taken over on 18/08/1917 by Maj H S Shield MC

54 Sqn was under command of Capt K K Horn for your period.

4N Sqn was under command of Sqn Cdr B L Huskisson DSO DSC

9N Sqn was under command of Sqn Cdr H Fawcett

regards

Darryl

[MikeW]

Thanks Dolphin aned Darryl,

I'm still desperately searching for a photograph of a Naval 6 Camel - the "no photograph" order was rigidly enforced at No.6 Squadron RNAS, presumably because the Camel was so new.

I'm now looking for the possibility of a camel lurking in the background of another squadron's shot - just have to make sure I don't mistake a Naval 9 Camel for Naval 6!!!!

Mike

[MikeW]

Well, what do you know, just looking through my Naval 9 camel photographs, and one shot obtained from Stuart Leslie isn't Naval 9 at all, it's Naval 6. Not like GSL and the late JMB to get something wrong like that!!!