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#4524489 - 06/08/20 06:58 PM OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917  
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epower Offline
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In the June 6, 1917 (Diary) entry of Arthur Gould Lee's "No Parachute," the author comments:

"Some of the chaps today were beefing about a GHQ order tht came round a few days ago, calling on all pilots and observers to show more offensive spirit, or words to that effect."

I've scoured the net to no avail. Does anyone happen to know the text of this particular communique?

Thanks,

epower

Attached Files Archie hit.jpgKasino Kaput.jpg1 alb scissor.jpg2 Sun and gunsit alb.jpg3 Alb smoking close.jpg5 Flamer.jpg6 Present for the Baron.jpgDbl team magpie w Charley.jpgAniche attack.jpgCovering Strugnell.jpgStrugnell finish.jpgA litle too flat.jpgAlb 1.jpgAlb 2 in site smoking.jpg3 little maids not.jpg
Last edited by epower; 06/25/20 07:25 PM.
#4524492 - 06/08/20 07:05 PM Re: OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917 [Re: epower]  
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Maybe the day before the Battle of Messines (at the start of which they blew up the 19 giant mines under the German trenches).


Regards,

Polovski,
OBD Software, developers of immersive flight sims;
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#4524498 - 06/08/20 07:37 PM Re: OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917 [Re: epower]  
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Thanks, Pol. Is there an online source for the GHQ orders? I looked at the aerodrome "100 years ago today" thread for June 1-5 but those Communiques contain only the operational reports.

Attached Files Pyre.jpgPoor devils.jpg1 Bounced.jpgBits falling.jpgfinal shot.jpgAlbs in 1.jpgAuer 1.jpgAuer in site.jpgRed Tail nosing over.jpgRT dying.jpgStalking.jpgHoles.jpgRockets.jpgRailyard damage.jpgvictoire.jpg
Last edited by epower; 06/25/20 07:54 PM.
#4524515 - 06/08/20 09:10 PM Re: OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917 [Re: epower]  
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Epower, I have the Order of Battle for Messines if that would help. It's rather lengthy so if there is something from that in particular that I could get you. If you need the info on 54 Squadron, they were assigned to H.Q.14th (Army) Wing, under the command of Lt.Col. Robert Loraine, (of British stage and screen fame). The other squadrons assigned to this group were 22. 24, and 6 Naval.

I'll look through a few more of my books for the communique you reference.

Lou

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#4524519 - 06/08/20 09:35 PM Re: OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917 [Re: epower]  
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Update: Epower, in Lee's book, did you happen to read Appendix B, "Trenchard's Strategy of the Offensive"? It appears to give some possible indication as to what might have been said in that communique.

Update to the update: It's also possible Lee was referencing the RFC order to run greater numbers of offensive ground attacks against enemy troop and defence positions at the opening of the Messines push. Pilots for the most part hated those sorties as they were far more dangerous than air-to-air combat, in particular when you were flying aeroplanes with no cockpit armour whatsoever. The Germans by this time had already developed armoured planes specifically for ground attack work.

HTH

.

#4524522 - 06/08/20 10:12 PM Re: OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917 [Re: epower]  
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Thanks, Lou.

I reread Appendix B and there's enough there between the lines for me to get a sense of what the verbiage must have been.

I can only imagine the reactions of RFC pilots to a "Maintain the offensive spirit." (Read: suck less) memo when they were flying inferior machines deep over the lines and losing comrades left and right. I'd be a bit salty too. Kinda makes ya think about cocking the Vickers when contour chasing after Brass Hats in their staff cars. It reminded me of the early 1942 "be more aggressive" communications from ComSubPac in Silent Hunter 4 after a dud war patrol. Now Admiral, about those Mk 14 torpedoes...

Since you're heading to Italy soon I'll say, 'Frazier Mile', which is what 'Grazie Mille' autocorrects to on my iphone

Attached Files Albs in 1.jpgAuer in site.jpgNieup pyre.jpgRed Tail nosing over.jpgRT dying.jpgAuer 2.jpgStalking.jpgHoles.jpgRailyard damage.jpgPerone la chapellete.jpg2 Albs in.jpgRev inverted.jpgscissors.jpgBullseye truck.jpgFlatfooted.jpg
Last edited by epower; 07/07/20 06:43 PM.
#4524585 - 06/09/20 05:36 AM Re: OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917 [Re: epower]  
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As far as I remember it could of been this....

Any aircraft that could carry bombs had to.
Since you could not drop them on your own side without someone reporting you, and that it was bad form to come back with them not used, well the pilots were sort of in a bind.
It was a policy that forced all aircraft to go over deeper into Hunland.
Plus the ease of putting in claims without ground unit confirmation (like other nations had to provide) helped motivate the young men to fly over and look for trouble

Last edited by lederhosen; 06/09/20 05:37 AM.

make mistakes and learn from them

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#4524658 - 06/09/20 03:58 PM Re: OT: Need help with GHQ communique June, 1917 [Re: epower]  
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epower Offline
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Lou - your second update could be it. Trenchard's June 10 instructions to Brigade commanders in the first paragraph sound like a follow on to the earlier communique.

Lederhosen - This sounds vaguely familiar, especially the part about all aircraft carrying bombs. I'm not fluent enough with the literature to recall where I might have read that. This was during Messines? Good thing for 54 that the Pup can't carry bombs. Thanks again.

Attached Files Hangars smoking.jpgDFW.jpgRed alb quarter.jpgPup on fire.jpgWindow.jpgBoom.jpg5 High albs.jpgRed tail dodge.jpgAlb1 burning.jpgNobby chasing.jpgSmoking.jpgAlb2 explode.jpg2 seater ded.jpgAlb HO.jpgAlb1 with RE8.jpg
Last edited by epower; 07/07/20 06:49 PM.

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