Field Reports/combat reports

[tomdtwaring]

Gents, please indulge my lack of experience with these matters....

I am wondering if any records exist detailing the Field Reports/Combat Reports for 54 Squadron in 1918? Where might these be found?

Thank you for any insights or assistance (this is part of my researching 2nd Lieut RTT Waring). kind regards Tom

[Simon Birch]

Hello.

These are held at the PRO - this link will get you started : http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...Edoc_Id=7395510 - this are January's reports.

If you search for 54 Squadron in the search box then you get each month come up.

Have a look at these links to from Dallas University. Don't off by the distance - they offer a quicker and cheaper copying service.

http

://www.utdallas.edu/library/collection...pdf/Bailey.pdf

http

://www.utdallas.edu/library/collection...f/Williams.pdf

I deal with a Thomas J Allen there - his E mail is : tja032000@utdallas.edu or cthomas@utdallas.edu

Hope that helps,

Simon

[tomdtwaring]

Thanks Simon - there's so much in he Dallas Bailey/Williams collections I just don't know where to start!!

I will email Thomas Allen and ask his advice!

THANK YOU!

[Simon Birch]

TangoWhiskey,

I read your post on the Aerodrome with much interest. It is your post butit may be worth while repeating here.

All the best,

Simon

[tomdtwaring]

OK Simon/everyone here's a summary:

I am trying to research (from a desk in Bahrain) my grandfather RTT Waring. He flew with No 54 Sqn and while with that unit crashed on landing in Camel B7407 on 22 April 1918. He was unhurt and after repair the Camel went to the 17th US Aero Squadron. This Camel was remarkable as I have been informed that it was used by three separate air services. First by No 4 Sqn Australian Flying Corps, then No 54 Sqn RAF, then the 17th Aero Sqn USAS. Also, it had been pranged only a few weeks beforehand: B7407 was crashed the month before by a Lt Weingarth.

B7407 went on to do good things after my grandfather crashed it! Cornell University have History of 17th Squadron online and combat report 32 details action on 26 8 1918 with Lieut WW Goodnow flying B7407 and engaging EA. Report 103 details Goodnow in same aircraft bombing a balloon that was on the ground nr Bapaume.

As well as any other incidents or action involving my grandfather RTT Waring, I am particularly interested to find out more about his crash on 22 April 1918. Where/what time/why/how much damage (to aircraft, he walked away) etc.

Thanks to everyone,

best Tom

[Dolphin]

Tom

I know that I'm going off on a tangent, but in case you're wondering about the man who had the earlier crash in B7407:

Weingarth, Lieutenant Jack Henry

Jack Weingarth was born in Marrickville, NSW, on 17 May 1892. He was a Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor, when he joined the AFC in Sydney on 22 January 1917. He had served in the AMF’s 5th Field Artillery Brigade for eighteen months, and had graduated as a pilot from the first Course at the NSW State Aviation School at Richmond. Due to his qualifications, he was commissioned in February before departing from Melbourne on HMAT A9 Shropshire on 11 May. On arrival in the UK he was appointed as a flying officer and processed through specialist training before being posted to No 4 Sqn in France in March 1918, after promotion to Lieutenant the previous month.

On 25 March he had to land at Amiens in Camel B7407, which then crashed when he tried to take off. This was due to a number of civilians, who were hanging on to the struts failing to let go, causing the aeroplane to swing completely round. He was flying Camel B7395 on 9 April when he hit a ridge when landing, but was unhurt. On 4 May, flying Camel C8300, he was credited with forcing down an Albatros scout at Vieux-Berquin, and he was mentioned in the Official History for his action on 28 July when he led a formation of Camels that bombed Bac St Maur

In August he was posted to Home Establishment, and assigned to No 1 School of Special Flying at Gosport for training as a flying instructor before a posting to No 5 Training Sqn.

He died in an aircraft accident at Minchinhampton on 4 February 1919 when flying as an instructor in Avro 504 E9310 with Lt W H Millard. The Avro’s engine was missing, due to a shortage of petrol, when Lt Weingarth opted to land to refuel, and took control. After a steep left turn, the engine stopped, and the Avro stalled, spun twice and crashed. The Court of Enquiry determined that due to insufficient fuel the pilot was unable to make use of his engine when turning; hence the crash. Lt Millard survived the accident.

Lt J H Weingarth is buried at Leighterton Church Cemetery, Gloucestershire, England

I hope that this is interesting

Gareth

[tomdtwaring]

Very interesting, Gareth! It belt and braces proves the point that B7407 was with the 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps before my grandfather pranged it!

Thanks again. Please look out for any other references to RTT Waring for me! Best regards Tom

[per ardua per mare per terram]

One of the problems with the reports at the UK National Archives, formily the PRO, is that many have been stolen.