No 2 Squadron RFC
Diaries 1915 -1918
Captain Allcock's diary No 2 Squadron RFC Feb 1916 continued
Feb 1st
Art Reg on targets in Hulluch, returned owing to wireless trouble. 1/2 hr
Feb 1st
Art Reg on Hulluch targets with Lt. Moser (new Observer) from 4000 ft. Two targets registered with OKs. Observation was very difficult owing to thick haze. 2 1/2 hrs
Feb 3rd
Standing by for short reconnaissance but put off. Went up with Capt. Denistoun on Hun Patrol. Two Huns seen behind Carvin, too far over to attack. Machine climbing OK. 8700 ft in an hour. Height reached 10,500 ft. 1 1/4 hrs
Feb 5th
Counter Battery with Lt. Milne. Report sent into 1st Army Intelligence. 1 1/2 hrs
Feb 5th
Artillery Registration with Lt. Milne and Hun Patrol. Registered one target with OK. Height reached 11,000 ft. 2 1/2 hrs
Feb 6th
Went up for joy ride. Looped three times at 4,000 ft. 1/2 hr
Feb 8th
Short Reconnaissance over Lille with Capt. Denistoun. Started from aerodrome at 7,000 ft at 4.15. Left Lille safely but entered clouds and mist a few mins afterwards. Climbed to 11,000 ft descended to 5,000 ft over Hun lines but could not get out of it. Eventually we came into clear sky and Archie became active. This was at 5.15. It was getting very dark so I decided to land at 5.30. Came down in a plouged field, 1 mile from Bailleul. Shed my passenger and guns and just managed to clear the road safely, landing in the aerodrome in the dark at 5.45. Was put up for the night and left in the morning at 9.15, arriving at Hesdigneul at 9.35. Denistoun went to Aire to report to 1st Army on Reconnaissance. 2 1/2 hrs
Feb 9th
Hun Patrol at 9,500 ft with Lt. Moser. One Hun chased trying to cross the lines south of Lens. Ho shots exchanged. Hostile Battery 135 reported firing. Thought I saw a Zeppelin over behind Donai so went "hell for leather" after it. Over Lens it turned out to be clouds, Very cold, landed safely at 5.5. Gave Moser a spiral and nose diving exhibition, he thoroughly enjoyed it. 1 1/2 hrs
Feb 10th
Flight to and from St Omer to practice flying Bristol Scout. Took up a Staff Major for 20 minutes. 3/4 hr
Contd
Two flights on Bristol Scout. Found it rather tricky at first. Two fairly good landings. Brought her down slightly too flat. Liked it immensely. 1/2 hr
Bristol Scout "D" a later similar model of the one mentioned above
Picture © airwar1.org.uk
Feb 15th & 17
Counter Battery with Lt. Moser. Nothing exciting happened. 3 1/2 hrs
Feb 20th
Escort to bombing machines on Don, partially successful. Two Fokkers seen but not engaged. AA guns active. 2 hrs
Feb 21st
Counter Battery with Lt. Moser. Straffed 2 captive balloons East of Lens. A/A guns active and accurate. 2 1/4 hrs
Feb 21st
Machine test and bomb dropping practice. Engine vibrating slightly. 1 1/4 hrs
Lt. Allcock was posted to No 16 Sqn on 23 Feb 1916 having completed 156 hours flying with No 2 Sqn.
Diary © Guy Griffiths
www.airwar1.org.uk