By the 29th we had accounted for all machines, but two “Pups” and a 1½ Strutter were still out in the country.
The H.Q. Flight Officers’ Mess was still in a rough and tumble condition. We boasted but one knife, fork, plate and cup for eight people and we had a standing diet of bully beef and biscuits. Nevertheless we were all superbly happy, and after the comfort of the Dunkirk Aerodrome mud and bully beef
had a spice of adventure about them. During the next few days we had visits from General Gough, Brig.-General Longcroft, Wing Captain Lambe, Squadron Commander C, L. Courtney (O.C. No. 4 Wing, R.N.A.S.), and Major Moore-Brabazon. The latter brought a Gun Camera for practice with Lewis guns.
The 3rd November marked the first job of work over the lines, four Nieuports doing a line patrol Bouzincourt - Chateau-de-la-Haie, but without coming across any Huns. The idea of these patrols was to protect artillery machines, and at this time it was usual to do them with machines working in pairs and at a height varying from 1,000 to 8,000 feet.
On the
afternoon of the 6th November I was messing about in the farm yard, going round the workshops, etc., when a small cavalcade consisting of a General, and two Staff Officers, and headed by four troopers with lances, drew rein in front of the barn, and I recognised General Sir Douglas Haig. The Commander-in-Chief dismounted and asked to be shown the machines, He took the keenest interest in everything and was particularly anxious to meet Officers and have a word with them.
The weather continued very bad, and on the 7th I motored to Acheux (in search of the Field Cashier and money), then to Senlis (in search of timber), and on to Puchevillers (in search of lunch and information about Aircraft Parks). The 5th Army Aircraft Park was situated at Puchevillers, under the Command of Major Spicer, R.F.C.
At this time each Army had its A.A.P., which was a mobile organisation keeping a stock of aircraft and engine spares just sufficient to maintain all squadrons in the Brigade, and doing all plane repairs. For plane repairs, No. 5, A.A.P. had converted an orchard into a workshop, and the Section was so highly organised that it could repair one complete set of planes per day.
