62 Sqdrn RAF

[Theo]

Any information please on the location of this unit in the autumn of 1918? A pilot I am researching was killed in action flying, I think, a Brisfit on 4/11/18

Cheers

Theo

[Dolphin]

Theo

On 8 August 1918, No 62 Sqn RAF was based at Croisette, and at the Armistice, a week after your date of interest, it was based at Villers-les-Cagnicourt. The squadron was equipped with the Bristol F.2B, also called the Bristol Fighter, commonly called the 'Biff' ('Brisfit' is a term commonly used post-War). The Commander was Major F W Smith, and the squadron was part of the RAF's 9th (Headquarters) Wing, 9th Brigade.

No 62 Sqn suffered two losses with fatal casualties while on an escort mission on the morning of 4 November 1918:

Lt Francis Charles Dudley Scott (formerly 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry) and his observer, Lt Charles Rigby (formerly 6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment) were flying in Bristol Fighter D7948 when they were shot down near Mons - after shooting down one enemy machine, they were last seen with two enemy aircraft on their tail;

Lt Francis Sumsion (formerly 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment) and his observer Capt William Geoffrey Walford (formerly Royal Engineers) were flying in Bristol Fighter E2513 when they were last seen going down with a broken wing south-west of Mons.

Ltn Helmut Lange of Jasta 26 claimed a Bristol over Vieux-Rengts, which may have been E2513; it was his ninth and last victory.

I hope this helps you

Gareth

[Theo]

Gareth

Sorry for not acknowledging your most helpful reply sooner, but have been away from my computer. Francis Sumsion is the man I am seeking information on as he lived in the street opposite where I grew up. Cheers also for the correction on 'Brisfit'. I was not aware it was a post war term.

Thanks very much

Theo

[chrisharley9]

Just to add to the info

26 Sep 1918 to La Bellevue

29 Oct 1918 to Villers les Cagnicourt

18 Nov 1918 to Aulnoye

14 Dec 1918 to Bouge

20 Dec 1918 to Nivelles

02 May 1919 to Spich

31 Jul 1919 Disbanded

All The Best

Chris

[David Seymour]

Theo,

In the Squadron History in the PRO Sumison and Walford are listed on the "Reported Dead and Presumed Dead" page.

Major Smith was OC from 18/10/17 to 14/2/19.

There are some interesting comments in the History about the fitness of the Bristol Fighter for escort work - they seem to have done mostly this in the period from Sept up to the Armistice. Capt Richardson says that the Bristol Fighter was not shown to its best advantage in escort work but he believed it the only machine that could provide a good escort because of its fore and aft fire.

Best wishes,

David

[Theo]

Many thanks to David and Chris for those replies. I'll add this to the info I have on Lt Sumsion

[APW]

Theo

You will find a short history of 62 Sqn RFC/RAF in WW1 at www.apw.airwar1.org.uk which relates Major Smith's service during WW1. This is still work in progress.

Patrick

[Theo]

Thanks very much for that link, APW