RNAS East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron Red Sea 1916-1918

[silchetser_john]

I am researching the RNAS East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron operating in the Red Sea in 1916-1918. In particular the two aircraft flying from the HMS Raven II

There are some nice photographs in the National  Archives file  ...HMS Raven II, Operations in the Gulf of Aqaba; July -August 1916. In: Air1/2284/209/75/8 

 

Does anyone know what aircraft may have been used?

Johm 

[barkalotloudly]

there is a book "above and beyond Palestine " an account of the of the work  of the Egypt and East Indies seaplane squadron  1916-1918 published 1930

[MaureenE]

Available online, the book mentioned by  barkalotloudly

Above And Beyond Palestine, An Account of the Work of the East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron 1916-1918 by C E Hughes 1930 Archive.org

 

Also some books which more indirectly may be of interest 

 

• Hard Lying Archive.org version , mirror from Digital Library of India. Full title “Hard Lying”: Eastern Mediterranean, 1914-1919 by Captain L B Weldon 1925. The author was a British Army Intelligence Officer , initially OC of a British Ship (HMS Anne previously Aenne Rickmers) carrying a French, later British seaplane squadron used for reconnaissance flights, and subsequently HMY Managem 1917-1919, involved with the supply of agents, money, weapons, etc to the Syrian coast.
• "Part IV The "Ben-My-Chree" (May 1916-January 1917)" pages 289-351 Fights and Flights by Charles Rumney Samson 1930. RNAS. HathiTrust Digital Library. Possibly not available in USA etc. HMS Ben-My-Chree was a seaplane carrier, and Samson was also had in his command HMS Anne, see entry for Hard Lying immediately above. Wedgewood Benn, see next entry, was chief observer for Samson.
• In the Side Shows by Captain Wedgewood Benn 1919 Archive.org. Some editions have the title In the Side Shows: Observations by a Flier on Five Fronts. The author was a Member of Parliament and joined the Middlesex Yeomanry, with whom he served at Gallipoli. He subsequently became military observer attached to the Royal Naval Air Service, East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron.

Maureen

[barkalotloudly]

The official history  war in the air vol5 ? also has a section regarding these operations 

[michaeldr]

See - https://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-04-HMS_Raven_II.htm

for “HMS RAVEN II – July 1915 to December 1917, Mediterranean, East Indies Station (including Suez and Red Sea)”

including “The aircraft operated included the following: Short 184, Sopwith Schneider, Sopwith Baby, Short 827/830”

The ship's log mentions 'Short' on 22 June 1916, 1 July 1916, 15 July 1916 & 7 March 1917

The log mentions 'Sopwith' on 1 September 1916, 5 May 1917 & 16 May 1917

[b3rn]

Ian Burns will have a two part article on the EIESS in Cross & Cockade this year. It promises to be a cracker!

[pete-c]

On 28/03/2021 at 22:44, silchetser_john said:

I am researching the RNAS East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron operating in the Red Sea in 1916-1918. In particular the two aircraft flying from the HMS Raven II

There are some nice photographs in the National  Archives file  ...HMS Raven II, Operations in the Gulf of Aqaba; July -August 1916. In: Air1/2284/209/75/8 

 

Does anyone know what aircraft may have been used?

Johm 

 

At the end of July 1916 Raven II was carrying Short Type 184s 8075 and 8091 - photo-reconnaissance being one of their duties during this period.  For the El Afuleh raid on 25 August Short 184 8045 was in use; this machine possibly a replacement for 8091.  She also carried a single Sopwith Baby for this raid.

 

The above details taken from The Aerial Crusader, Part 1, Guy Duncan Smith, via Ian Burns, Cross & Cockade International Journal Vol 44/2.

 

 

Edited 1 April , 2021 by pete-c