Royal Garrison Artillery

[Graham Kembey]

I would be most grateful if someone could help or point me in the right direction please.

The following is an extract from the War Diary of 154 Siege Battery, RGA (21/8/1917) “A hostile battery was engaged, 5 OKs being obtained and many Y’s + Z’s”.

What are Y’s and Z’s? There are also references to X’s - I guess that they are all related. The Royal Artillery Museum seems to think that they refer to the effect that the rounds fired had at the target end. They also say that it’s not an official code.

I have been researching my granddads service for several years now and have yet to find the answer.

Thanks and best regards

Graham

[bmac]

When observed from the air, a ‘clock’ code was used to correct firing with the details being sent by wireless to RFC operators attached to the battery. The system worked like this: an imaginary clock was placed on the target with the centre of the clock the target. 12 o’clock was due north, 3 o’clock east, six o’clock south and 9 o’clock west. A direct hit on the target would be sent down as ‘OK’. Twenty five yards from the target was signalled as ‘Y’, 50 yards was ‘A’, 100 yards ‘B’, 200 yards ‘C’, etc. For example, if the aircraft reported ‘B6’ then the shell had fallen 100 yards south of the target.

Someone will no doubt come along and explain the relevance of Z and X

[Graham Kembey]

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

Graham

[essdee]

Graham

Attached over the observers dashboard map was a transparent sheet with a number of concentric circles radiating out at distances of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 & 500 yards, the centre of which was placed on the observed target. Each of these circles was lettered y, z, a, b, c, d, e, & f. respectively, an ok was a direct hit. The circle was then divided 1 to 12 as per a clock face.

8th November 1917

The aircraft of 2nd Lieutenants F J McCullogh & L W Middleton, 53rd Squadron RFC, whilst flying artillery observation for 154 siege battery is hit by a 6 inch shell from one of 154’s own guns, the two airmen have adjoining plots, XV.A.17 & XV.A.18. in Vormezeele cemetery Ieper. ( Ypres )

Stuart

[bmac]

8th November 1917

The aircraft of 2nd Lieutenants F J McCullogh & L W Middleton, 53rd Squadron RFC, whilst flying artillery observation for 154 siege battery is hit by a 6 inch shell from one of 154’s own guns, the two airmen have adjoining plots, XV.A.17 & XV.A.18. in Vormezeele cemetery Ieper. ( Ypres )

Almost defines 'unlucky'.

The Royal Artillery Museum seems to think that they refer to the effect that the rounds fired had at the target end. They also say that it’s not an official code.

Rather worrying that the Museum doesn't know about this system.

[Graham Kembey]

They will know about it very soon!

Thanks for all of that info, it's been a great help. I'm going to Voormezele in May to visit the places where my granddad was wounded and where he won his DCM. I'll also now be making a visit to the cemetery.

Thanks again.

[essdee]

Graham

I need to correct my self and have dug out the original quote. Why I said 6" shell I've no idea.

I've also added a Google map which contains a red dot on the main road running north/south. From this fork in the road walk 350 yds, +/-10, north and 154 Siege were in a position just off the left hand side of the road. This time I've checked twice and it is as near as I can manage.

“ While we were shooting one day with our usual observer, Lt McCullagh, a shell from the guns struck the aeroplane from which he was observing. The plane immediately burst into flames and disappeared from view. Both Lt McCullagh and the pilot, 2nd Lt Middleton, were killed; not a trace of their remains was ever found. This accident was quite unavoidable , as the aeroplane was evidently flying in the line of fire. ”

Captain Maurice Walker 154th Siege Battery RGA

[Graham Kembey]

Hi Stuart

Thanks for the pic (the wonders of Google Earth). Reassuringly, that's exactly where I planned to go as that's the field where my granddad won his DCM in August 1917. I'm also going to visit a place near Moat Farm, just to the west of Ypres.

Also, many thanks for all your help. You are clearly well read on 154 Seige Battery, any connections? I have all of the available War Diaries and some passages from the history by Capt Walker (I hope to get a copy one day). That said, may I pick you brains once more please? My granddad was transferred to 188 Siege Battery in April 1918 and remained with them until the end of the war. Records for this time are proving very difficult to find, seemingly no diaries and very few references on the web re unit histories. Any pointers? I think I'll also post a new topic.

Thank and best regards

Graham

[bmac]

Do you know which Brigade they were attached to? You may find some mentions in the Heavy Artillery Brigade (also known as Heavy Artillery Groups), RGA War Diary.