A Busy Day on the Western Front - 30th October 1918
Major Michael Nethersole 103 Squadron OC pictured in cockpit of a Fokker DVII after the conclusion of WW1
No 103 Squadron RAF - 30 October 1918
The 30th October was to be a day of intense activity along the whole front. 103 Squadron was operating from Ronchin airfield near Lille by this time.
Dawn
For 103 Squadron the day's flying started with a reconnaissance patrol, two DH9 aircraft crewed by Sgt Haines and 2Lt McDonald and 2Lts Tennant and Drummond taking off at 0610. Visibility was poor and they reported moderate anti aircraft fire while flying at 10,000 ft over Leuze and Tournai observing a number of train movements. They returned at 0730.
At 0735 two aircraft took off for No 1 Aircraft Storage Depot crewed by Lt McCowan and 2Lt Webster and 2nd Lt Marchant and Lt Knight, the latter seemingly returning DH9 H4225 which had been collected the previous day. Both aircraft and crews returned the following day.
Morning
At 0750 Capt Dodds and 2Lt Corey led off a seven aircraft patrol to bomb the railway station and yards at Ath which were a major railhead for German supplies and reinforcements destined for the Front. The patrol was made up of Lts Chrispin and Bannerman, Lt Hallawell and Sgt Watkinson, Lt Hett and 2Lt Nicholls, Sgts Shepherd and Westcott, Sgts McNeill and Stevens and Sgt Silvester and 2Lt Lansdale. Lts Hett and Nicholls aircraft left the formation due to engine trouble and released 2 x 112lb bombs from 13,000 ft over Barry at 0915. The remainder of the formation approached their target at 14,000 ft. Visibility was fair and anti aircraft fire moderate. All aircraft appear to have reached the target and released their bombs dropping 2x230lb and 8x112lb at 0950.
On the return home they were attacked by nine Fokker DVIIs and a black 2-Seater. At 0955 Capt Dodds observed Sgts McNeill and Stevens, who had fallen behind and below the formation at 13,000 ft, being attacked over Mainvault by three enemy aircraft one of which he observed to be driven down out of control. Sgts Shepherd and Westcott going to their aid also claimed one destroyed and saw it fall into a wood south east of Moustier. Sgt Silvester and 2Lt Lansdale were last seen at 2,000 ft over Tournai flying west and seemingly in no difficulty but were later confirmed as POWs - they had been shot down by ack-ack with Sgt Silvester wounded. On the patrol's return to Ronchin Sgts McNeill and Stevens were also missing, but later returned. Ath Station was damaged in the attack as were the adjacent tracks and sidings.
Capt Dodds
2Lt Corey
Sgt Silvester - Wounded POW
Afternoon
In the afternoon the squadron were to be part of the RAF's biggest operation of the day. 80 Wing put up 62 aircraft for a raid on Rebaix airfield 2 miles north of Ath. 2 AFC, 54 and 103 Sqns were to carry out a bombing attack protected by 4 AFC and 88 Sqns.
At 1345 the CO Major Nethersole and 2Lt. Corey led off a formation of eight DH9s. The other crews were: Lt Hallawell and Sgt Watkinson, Capt Stubbs and Lt Bannerman, Sgt Driver and Sgt Sgt Huckle, Sgt. Haines and 2Lt. MacDonald, Lt. Hett and 2Lt Nicholls, 2Lt. Jackson and Sgt Westcott, 2Lts Tennant and Drummond. At 1415 2Lts Tennant and Drummond returned after half an hour having experienced engine trouble.
At 1425 Lts Chrispin and Slater took off on reconnaissance but returned at 1445 having experienced engine trouble.
At 1430 a very low level attack was made on Rebaix by 54 Squadron and 2 AFC Squadron, with the 103 Squadron formation above at 2000 ft. Major Nethersole and 2Lt Corey leading the DH9 formation dropped a 230lb bomb between hangars demolishing one of them and destroying two machines. Other buildings were also destroyed and the airfield generally shot up. Altogether 103 Squadron dropped 4 x 230lb and 6 x 112lb bombs and the other squadrons dropped 116 x 25lb bombs. Other targets around the airfield were strafed. On the return journey the Squadron had to fight all the way to the lines against some 30 Fokkers, claiming three destroyed and two driven down out of control. Capt Stubbs and Lt. Bannerman claimed a Fokker destroyed at 1430 and Lt. Hett and 2Lt Nicholls claimed two Fokkers destroyed at 1440 but sadly Nicholls died of wounds from this action. Other claims were made that day by Sgt Haines and 2nd Lt MacDonald at 1435 one enemy aircraft destroyed and Lt Hallawell and Sgt Watkinson at 1440 one enemy aircraft destroyed. All aircraft returned at 1505.
2Lt Nicholls - Died of wounds
Capt J S Stubbs
Back Middle - Lt. Bannerman
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Ath railway sidings after war
Compiled by David Fell with photos from may archive and also 103 Sqn WW1 1918
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