50 Squadron (home defense), location of B flight, December 1917-January 1918

[Marian2]

An American training with the R.F.C. was assigned to B flight of No. 50 Squadron from about December 3, 1917 through the end of January 1918.  

I believe No. 50 was headquartered at or near Harrietsham, but had detachments or flights at Detling, Throwley, and Bekesbourne.

Can anyone help me find out where B flight was stationed in December 1917 --- January 1918?  I am guessing Throwley, but don't have reliable documentation.   

Thanks!

---Marian 

[Aspern]

Hi Marian

From what I can see No. 50 Home Defence Squadron were only using airfields at Detling and Bekesbourne at that time. It appears No. 112 Squadron took over Throwley in July 1917. As to which Flights were at which airfield I'm afraid I'm not sure - but I will dig deeper.

Ian

[helpjpl]

Bekesbourne ?

According to Wikipedia:

The airfield started as RFC Bekesbourne when the Royal Flying Corps requisitioned 98 acres (40 ha) of land in 1916 as an Emergency Landing Ground (ELG).      B flight of No. 50 (Home Defence) Squadron moved in, operating Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3 and F.K.8 and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and B.E.12 aircraft. 

..... 50 Squadron moved in entirely on 8 February 1918.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bekesbourne_Aerodrome

JP

Edited 14 July , 2021 by helpjpl

[Marian2]

Thank you for the replies.  I found this older thread:  https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/193964-lieut-cc-white-dfc-rfcraf-the-1917-blitz/ 

Scott Marchand has an entry for a raid from 22 July 1917 that refers to B flight at Throwley.   

Anthony J. Moor, in Kent's Forgotten Airfield Throwley 1917-1919, p. 110, has Capt. Truran flying from Throwley on 22 August 1917.  Truran, according to the R.F.C. Training Transfer Card of (U.S.) cadet Robert Thomas Palmer, was, if I am reading it correctly, still commanding 50's B flight as late as January 1918.  

I understand No. 112 Squadron was formed from 50's B flight at the end of July 1917, but wonder whether there could still have been a 50 squadron B flight at Throwley simultaneously with 112.  

I don't want to discount Bekesbourne---but it looks, from Marchand's data, as though by summer 1917, Bekesbourne was being used by C flight. 

Rbt Tms Palmer wrote home on 12 December 1917 while with 50 Squadron's B flight, but worry about censors made him very circumspect.  He describes the airfield:  “Our aerodrome is quite isolated and there are lots of small woods and large fields with real hills to walk over."  I imagine that description would fit most any airfield in Kent at the time.

Still hoping for something more definitive!

---Marian 

[Aspern]

Hi Marian

I am getting my information from Cole & Cheesman's 'The Air Defence of Britain 1914-1918'. As you originally only mentioned an interest in the period Dec 1917 - Jan 1918 I didn't look earlier in 1917.

C & C detail all aircrew who opposed German air raids.

16/17 Feb 1917

A flight - Bekesbourne

B flight - Throwley

 

1 Mar 1917

HQ flight - Dover

A flight - Bekesbourne

 

16 Mar 1917

HQ flight - Dover

A flight - Bekesbourne

 

16/17 Mar 1917

HQ flight - Frinsted

A flight - Bekesbourne

B Flight - Throwley

 

6/7 May 1917

A flight - Bekesbourne

 

23/24 May 1917

A flight - Bekesbourne

B flight - Throwley

C flight - Detling

 

25 May 1917

A flight - Detling

B flight - Throwley

C flight - Bekesbourne

 

5 Jun 1917

A flight - Detling

B flight - Throwley

C flight - Bekesbourne

 

13 Jun 1917

A flight - Detling

B flight - Throwley

C flight - Bekesbourne

 

4 Jul 1917

B flight - Throwley

 

7 Jul 1917

A flight - Detling

B flight - Throwley

C flight - Bekesbourne

 

22 Jul 1917

A flight - Detling

B flight - Throwley

C flight - Bekesbourne

 

12 Aug 1917

B flight  - Detling

C flight - Bekesbourne

 

22 Aug 1917

B flight  - Detling

C flight - Bekesbourne

For the remainder of 1917 all sorties flown by No. 50 Squadron are recorded as taking place from Detling and Bekesbourne but C& C do not detail which flights were where after 22 August 1917.

It would seem that B flight transferred from Throwley to Detling between the raids of 22 July 1917 and 12 Aug 1917.

Ian

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Marian2]

Thank you!  I had wanted to consult Cole & Cheesman but hadn't been able to locate a copy.

---Marian