Grid Posted 21 December , 2016 Share Posted 21 December , 2016 Hi all, Can anyone give me any more information on the 16-17 September Handley Page O/400 raid chronicled in Jones, Vol. VI, pp. 147-148 and Henshaw (2nd ed.), p. 221. Directions to other books that cover the raid would be most useful. Jones is pretty vague about the targets and does not say which machines were going where, only stating they were destined for Cologne and Mannheim, which are a great distance a part. Also Jones states that one machine was brought down with its bombs still on board and that a curious spectator set one off killing eight onlookers. Could this be D4566 (Henshaw)? I'm looking at this because of my interest in Herbert Ernest Hyde (NZ) who was on his first operation with the squadron and was captured. Any help greatly appreciated. Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nieuport11 Posted 21 December , 2016 Share Posted 21 December , 2016 There are statements from the crew of C9727 who landed in Holland: 'On the night of the 16th September we left the aerodrome on HP C9727 for a raid on Cologne carrying 16 112lb bombs...On reaching the outskirts of the city of Bonn at 9:50pm the port engine cut out and as we were then being subjected to gunfire it is probable that the engine had been hit. Observing a railway line running in from the NW of the city we dropped out bombs on it. At this time our altimeter registered 6000ft. We then turned and steered for home. After 35 minutes the altimeter registered 4000ft and our headway was very small....We then altered course for Holland. At 1.30am on the 17th inst. we landed at Oosterhout near Breda and fired the machine. We were taken in charge by the Dutch military and later in the day sent to the Hague where we are now interned.' Fisher/Oakley/Locke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josquin Posted 22 December , 2016 Share Posted 22 December , 2016 Adam, The most informative resource for the Independent Air Force operations and personnel is the book by Keith Rennles, "Independent Force: The War Diary of the Daylight Bomber Squadrons of the Independent Air Force, 6 June to 11 November 1918," published by Grub Street in 2003. Josquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grid Posted 22 December , 2016 Author Share Posted 22 December , 2016 17 hours ago, nieuport11 said: There are statements from the crew of C9727 who landed in Holland: 'On the night of the 16th September we left the aerodrome on HP C9727 for a raid on Cologne carrying 16 112lb bombs...On reaching the outskirts of the city of Bonn at 9:50pm the port engine cut out and as we were then being subjected to gunfire it is probable that the engine had been hit. Observing a railway line running in from the NW of the city we dropped out bombs on it. At this time our altimeter registered 6000ft. We then turned and steered for home. After 35 minutes the altimeter registered 4000ft and our headway was very small....We then altered course for Holland. At 1.30am on the 17th inst. we landed at Oosterhout near Breda and fired the machine. We were taken in charge by the Dutch military and later in the day sent to the Hague where we are now interned.' Fisher/Oakley/Locke Thanks Nieuport11, very helpful. 1 hour ago, josquin said: Adam, The most informative resource for the Independent Air Force operations and personnel is the book by Keith Rennles, "Independent Force: The War Diary of the Daylight Bomber Squadrons of the Independent Air Force, 6 June to 11 November 1918," published by Grub Street in 2003. Josquin Josquin, Is there an equivalent night bomber version? It looks like this only covers the daylight bomber squadrons. Cheers, Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 22 December , 2016 Share Posted 22 December , 2016 Adam If you haven't already done so, you could have a look at Bloody Paralyser by Rob Langham, ISBN 978 1 78155 080 9. There's a chapter about the loss of ten Handley Pages on the night of 16-17 September 1918. I hope this helps you. Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grid Posted 23 December , 2016 Author Share Posted 23 December , 2016 18 hours ago, Dolphin said: Adam If you haven't already done so, you could have a look at Bloody Paralyser by Rob Langham, ISBN 978 1 78155 080 9. There's a chapter about the loss of ten Handley Pages on the night of 16-17 September 1918. I hope this helps you. Gareth Hi Gareth, I was not aware of this, many thanks will get a copy. Many thanks, Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94avenge Posted 23 December , 2016 Share Posted 23 December , 2016 Chaz Bowyer's Handley Page Bombers of the First World War is another useful reference, published back in 1992 but second hand copies are still out there. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grid Posted 27 December , 2016 Author Share Posted 27 December , 2016 Hi Ian, will follow up with this. Cheers, Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loader Posted 27 December , 2016 Share Posted 27 December , 2016 Good luck with the BOWYER book. Here in the US it took me 4 tries over 2 yrs to get a copy through Interlibrary Loan. But worth it in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrie215 Posted 13 February , 2019 Share Posted 13 February , 2019 Check out the mini biography of Hyde in IWM Lives of the First World War. He was a member of 215 Squadron based at Xaffévillers Aerodrome. During August and September, aircraft losses were large and casualties reached 120% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils d Posted 15 February , 2019 Share Posted 15 February , 2019 On 22/12/2016 at 01:06, josquin said: Adam, The most informative resource for the Independent Air Force operations and personnel is the book by Keith Rennles, "Independent Force: The War Diary of the Daylight Bomber Squadrons of the Independent Air Force, 6 June to 11 November 1918," published by Grub Street in 2003. Josquin When will we see a volume on the night bombers ? [please ! ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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