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Remembered Today:

100 Years ago this week in the Balkans


Gardenerbill

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THASOS. 'A' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

The camp at THASOS is in the process of being moved to a more healthy spot where there will be less risk of Malaria, and in order to get this done quickly no more operations than appear of immediate importance are being undertaken.

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AMBERKOJ. 'F' Squadron. R.N.A.S.

 

On the morning of the 6th May two raids were made on the enemy's dumps near DEDELI, [DEDELA?] which is an important military depot 8 miles N.E. of DOIRAN on the main DOIRAN-HUDOVO road.

On each occasion 1,500Ibs. of bombs were dropped, direct hits being obtained on two large sheds while the other sheds were badly damaged by heavy bombs dropping within 25 yds. of them.  Four bombs burst among tents and considerable was observed to have been inflicted on stores and material.

'E' Squadron again strengthened the escort.

 

Edited by pete-c
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HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On the 6th and 7th May 'E' Squadron escorted 'F' Squadron on their bombing expeditions to DEDELA  and PALJORCA respectively.  On the first occasion no enemy aircraft were encountered but on the second one combat took place, of which however, no details are yet available. 

 

AMBEKOJ. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 7th May 'F' Squadron made two successful raids on bivouacs, transport, dug-outs etc. near the enemy's lines at PALJORCA, 4 miles West of DOIRAN, dropping 1,300Ibs. of bombs on each occasion.  Both expeditions were escorted by 'E' Squadron.

 

 

 

 

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Pete, thanks for posting about the RNAS units,

 

4 hours ago, pete-c said:

On 7th May 'F' Squadron made two successful raids on bivouacs, transport, dug-outs etc. near the enemy's lines at PALJORCA, 4 miles West of DOIRAN, dropping 1,300Ibs. of bombs on each occasion

 

These bombing raids must have been part of co-ordinated plans for the attacks at Doiran.

Edited by Gardenerbill
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9.50 p.m.  8th May the second attack of the first battle of Doiran begins with the 77th Brigade assault on positions on Petite Couronne.

9th May Serbian 2nd Army capture Hill 1824 east of the CRNA bend but the French, Italian and Russian attack is a complete failure no objectives taken. A second attack on the left at CRNA by the French and Italians was delayed but goes ahead on the 11th and also fails.

In the Struma valley XVI Corps planned 3 phases of operations, 12th May phase one began with increase artillery activity between Tumbitsa Farm and Mirsla.

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19 hours ago, Gardenerbill said:

Pete, thanks for posting about the RNAS units,

 

 

These bombing raids must have been part of co-ordinated plans for the attacks at Doiran.

 

Mark, I am presuming this is indeed the case, although I have not come across any direct mention of co-ordination in the reports I am quoting.  There is however mention of an offensive on the Upper Struma front beginning on the 12th - details to follow.

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HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 8th May Fighter patrols were undertaken and escorts were provided for R.F.C. machines without any encounter taking place.

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HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 9th May patrols again failed to draw the enemy to action.

 

AMBERKOJ. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 9th May two further raids were made on similar targets close behind the enemy lines.  (see post #178)

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HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 10th May Fighter patrols were again made without engagement and 'F' Squadron was escorted in its attack on HODOVO [HUDOVO] aerodrome.

 

AMBERKOJ. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 10th May the main enemy aerodrome at HUDOVO was attacked, 1,500Ibs. of bombs being dropped, several bombs being seen to explode close to the sheds.  The special tents erected for the German bombing formation were found to have been removed, and their new position has not yet been located.  During its short visit to the DOIRAN front 'F' Squadron has dropped 16,545Ibs., or nearly 7 1/2 tons, of bombs on enemy camps, store dumps etc, 5 bombing machines taking part in each raid.

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Although the 22 Division raids were successful, 26th Division again failed to take any of the positions on Petit Couronne. The casualties at 1,861 were lighter than for the April attack, but the May attack was a complete failure.

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MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

G.O.C. SALONIKA requested that 'F' Squadron should commence an offensive on the Upper STRUMA front on 12th May.  Accordingly the Squadron flew from AMBERKOJ to STAVROS on 11th May, their transport going direct to MARIAN by road and arriving late at night.

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HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 12th May two flights were made, resulting in one combat, where, however, no decisive result was obtained.

 

MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

12th May.  The Squadron arrived and will resume operations on the 13th.

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MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S. 13th May.

 

DEMIRHISSAR Railway Station and Dumps were chosen as the first objective, 1,500Ibs of bombs being dropped.  Two bombs were seen to fall among stores, but accurate shooting was hampered by bumpy weather.  Later in the day  ANGISTA Station was attacked, 1,500Ibs of bombs again being dropped.  Three heavy bombs burst on the railway line and several more on the edge of the Station itself.

 

HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 13th May a Fighter patrol was undertaken.

 

 

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MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 14th May, PORNA Railway Station , camps and dumps were attacked with 1,500Ibs. of bombs.  A coal-stack was hit and also a dump which was probably ammunition as a large column of yellow smoke was seen to rise from a great height.  Observation from the ground also reported that direct hits were obtained in a camp and among dug-outs. 

 

HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 14th May one combat without decisive result took place.  Owing to the exigencies at other Stations, 'E' Squadron has for the moment been reduced to two pilots in addition to the Commanding Officer.

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On the 15th May Phase two of the XVI Corps actions in the Struma valley began; the 29th Brigade took the village of KYUPRI and held off two counter attacks with well-directed artillery fire; the 85th Brigade attacked “FERDIE and ESSEX” trenches, these proved to be more heavily defended than expected, but they were taken along with 89 prisoners, one counter attack was driven off.

 

17th May another French attack at the CRNA bend fails. 

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MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On 15th May two successful raids were maid on a large scattered camp half way between OBAJA and SPATOVO.  1,500Ibs. of bombs were dropped on each occasion.  Altogether 9 direct hits were observed: the second raid being particularly successful,

Owing to unfavourable weather conditions no further raids were made during the week.

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THASOS AIR STATION. 'A' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

At dawn on 18th May a bomb attack on GERAVIZ Seaplane Station was undertaken by two Henri Farmans escorted by a Bristol Scout.  576Ibs. of bombs were dropped; one bomb dropped close alongside one hangar and another between the two hangars and in all probability damaged them.

A reconnaissance of the area around BORU LAKE was carried out during the flight, a battalion of troops being observed halted at the side of the road near PORT LAGOS.

 

'E' Squadron. R.N.A.S.

 Two machines, flying from HADJI JANUS escorted an R.F.C. Bombing Squadron on 18th May and in the afternoon undertook an offensive patrol, no enemy aircraft, however, being encountered.  On the following day two offensive patrol flights were again made without result and subsequently [on the 19th] the three machines left for MARIAN where they joined up with 'F' Squadron.

 

MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

During the morning of 18th May a bomb attack was made on DRAMA Air Station by 5 bombers and 2 escorts.  1,333Ibs. of bombs were dropped.  Four of the bombs made direct hits on some red roofed buildings which lie on the NE side of the aerodrome and probably are store houses and offices for the enemy squadron.  Five hangars are spread out on the aerodrome and the remaining bombs fell within 100 yards of two hangars on the Northern side, splinters probably entering the hangars and causing damage.

Anti-aircraft fire was normal over DRAMA but heavier than usual over ANGISTA on the return journey.  Over the latter place a piece of shell hit Flt Sub Lt GA Magor in the head, stunning him for a time, but he managed to recover control of his machine and land safely at MARIAN.  The wound is not as serious as was first apprehended but will keep him off duty for three weeks or a month.

In the afternoon a camp lying WNW of RAZOLIVOS was the object of attack.  Five bombing machines with one escort dropped 1,445Ibs. of bombs, six bombs made direct hits on dug-outs, one hit a cluster of sheds and the remainder fell on trenches at the head of the gully. 

Edited by pete-c
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Operations in Bulgaria and Greece.

The principal operation in which Naval Aircraft have been engaged during the current week has been the bombardment of KAVALLA.

 

HADJI JANUS. 'E' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

On the 19th May two offensive patrol flights were again made without result.  What remains of 'E' Squadron, flew from HADJI JANUS on the evening of the 19th going to MARIAN to reinforce 'F' Squadron's escort for the operations.

 

MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

Machines from 'E' Squadron joined up on the 19th preparatory to participating in the KAVALLA operations. 

 

[Information had disclosed a considerable degree of enemy activity at KAVALLA.  It was reported that a special party of Germans had been sent to erect craft which had arrived from Germany in sections at that the work was being carried out in the old Customs House.  Accordingly orders were issued by the Vice Admiral for Naval Aircraft to spot for the Monitors detailed to carry out the bombardment.  All R.N.A.S. Units on this front participated in the operations.]

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MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

At 4.20 a.m. on 20th the squadron, consisting of 5 bombers and three escorts flew to KAVALLA and circled round, periodically dropping bombs on Fort 'B', one of which made a direct hit on an emplacement, and also on A.A. guns observed to be firing.  1,300Ibs of bomb in all were dropped.  The squadron landed at THASOS at 7.15 a.m. and left again for MARIAN at noon, dropping four 65Ib bombs on dug-outs and sheds at PROVISTA en route.

 

The duties imposed on 'A' Squadron, THASOS, were to spot for M.33 and M.29 [small Monitors] bombarding the Custom House, Post Office and any lighters found in KAVALLA Harbour and to spot 'Raglan' [HMS Raglan, one of the larger Monitors] on to any enemy guns which might open fire on the bombarding ships and also to carry out submarine and mine patrols during the operation. 

 

[Three extra seaplanes were flown from MUDROS to THASOS to assist in submarine and mine reconnaissance during the operation.  As the operations were expected to take 4 or 5 hours, these spotting duties had to be carried out in watches.  One aeroplane spotting for 'Raglan' piloted by Flt Sub Lt JD Haig with Sub Lt G Keithley R.N.V.R. as observer, failed to return; information received from three separate vessels would suggest that she was shot down by an enemy aeroplane, pilot and observer being thrown out during the descent and killed.  This machine was claimed by Ltn R vEschwege FAb30.]

Edited by pete-c
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No flying was done by 'F' Squadron on the 21st but one of 'F' Squadron's machines doing escort for the R.F.C. engaged in a combat of which no particulars have yet been received. 

The weather during the remainder of the week has proved unsuitable for carrying out offensive work and the time has been utilized making badly needed adjustments and repairs.

 

The Major General Commanding 12th. Corps has expressed his satisfaction at the extremely efficient and effective work carried out by the R.N.A.S. Squadrons and his appreciation of the difficulties involved.

 

 

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5 hours ago, pete-c said:

The Major General Commanding 12th. Corps has expressed his satisfaction at the extremely efficient and effective work carried out by the R.N.A.S. Squadrons and his appreciation of the difficulties involved.

 

This seems to confirm that the RNAS activity was co-ordinated with the offensive action on the XII Corps front.

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In the Struma valley preparations began for phase three the attack on SPATOVO and ERNEKOI but General Sarrail brought all offensive operations to a halt, as a consequence General Milne cancelled the attack on FLAT IRON HILL and the attacks on SPATOVO and ERNEKOI. Except for some small gains in the CRNA loop, at Doiran and in the Struma valley, the spring offensive of 1917 was a complete failure.

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2 hours ago, Gardenerbill said:

 

This seems to confirm that the RNAS activity was co-ordinated with the offensive action on the XII Corps front.

 

Indeed it does Mark.  Stupid of me not to realise that my mention of XII Corps would of course be linked to the details in your post #179!   Mea culpa.

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Some more details of the KAVALLA operations.  Post #194.

 

THASOS. 'A' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

The Short Seaplane on Marine patrol during the first watch also came to grief, the engine failing at 5.40 a.m. and the machine remaining on the water for 3 hours until taken in tow by a trawler. 

 

[This would probably have been one of the Westland built Short Type 166s; '9754', '9758' and '9764' all operating from the Seaplane Base at THASOS during this period.  Two more machines which had been flown from HMS Ark Royal at MUDROS on the 19th to assist in the operations were; Short Type 166 '9755' Crisp & Townsend, and Short Type 184 '8360' Washington & Ford]

 

At 5.45 a.m. the second watch of spotting, patrolling and escorting machines left the aerodrome at THASOS, a Short Seaplane taking over the duties of spotting for M.29 and M.33, a Nieuport Fighter, lent from 'D' Squadron, patrolling the coast ready to spot 'Raglan' on to the battery which opened fire and the only remaining Bristol Scout escorting them.  A second seaplane also carried out a marine patrol and escorted the Monitors on their journey back to STAVROS as far as DEUTHERO COVE.

Edited by pete-c
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On ‎21‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 06:08, pete-c said:

 

The weather during the remainder of the week has proved unsuitable for carrying out offensive work and the time has been utilized making badly needed adjustments and repairs.

 

 

 

 

MARIAN. 'F' Squadron R.N.A.S.

 

The road and newly laid railway through the KRESHNA DEFILE link up SOFIA with the enemy front along the upper STRUMA and west-wards toward DOIRAN LAKE, and along this route supplies for the enemy forces on that front require to be brought.  Interruption of traffic and damage to supply and store dumps had never been seriously dealt with on this route.  Accordingly a large dump 3 miles N of LIVUNOVO, which lies at the Southern edge of the KRESHNA DEFILE was selected as 'F' Squadron's first objective and 2 raids on it were carried out on 25th May. 

 

On the first raid one bomber was obliged to return with engine trouble which reduced the amount of bombs dropped to 1,156Ibs.  Most of the bombs burst in the dump, one making a direct hit an a large shed.  Three enemy aeroplanes were seen flying low over LIVUNOVO but they did not engage.

 

On the second raid 1,445Ibs. of bombs were dropped and the damage was much more severe.  Three direct hits were observed on the main cluster of sheds: these caught fire.  Three more bombs started a fire in a block of sheds on the Southern side of the dump; one burst among about 50 horses which stampeded: two burst among some dark coloured stacks on the NE edge of the dump.  The fire was observed to gradually envelop the dump and flames from it were observed 20 miles away. 

Edited by pete-c
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