Our move to the new aerodrome at St. Eloi was made on May 16th. A good aerodrome we thought it, and about the right distance from the “War”-14,500 yards from Oppy and 11,000 yards from Lievin. Here all ranks were under canvas, and the machines in Bessoneau hangars.
Our duties had been altered somewhat and the main task given us now was to strafe enemy artillery machines and any H.A. working on or near
the lines. We found artillery machines most elusive and high flying two-seaters extraordinarily difficult to get to, but it was interesting work, and there was no lack of opportunities for ordinary Hun getting because the Squadron invariably did one offensive patrol a day, and often more.
On the 23rd May, “A” Flight, ably led by Simpson, had a big scrap with eleven Albatross Scouts within sight of the aerodrome. “C” Flight went up to help them but couldn’t get there in time to be of much use, and although our fellows stuck to it splendidly, they were outnumbered and got badly knocked about. We lost Pailthorpe, and had Hall wounded. Bennett's machine was shot about badly and he himself had a marvellous escape. The day ended with a sporting attempt by a Hun to bomb our aerodrome. Booker’s Flight had just landed when the shout went up “Hun at 3,000 feet approaching the aerodrome.” At the same moment all the A.A. for miles round (including our Lewis guns) opened up on him, and Booker, Soar, and McCudden jumped into their machines and were away after him. The Hun turned for home as soon as he saw he had been spotted but our fellows caught him over Souchez and gave him a hot time. In the failing light he made good his escape and was last seen over Lens - a thrilling episode which did credit to both sides.
On the following day Smith failed to return from an offensive patrol.
On May 28th Mr. Brice, who had been our Stores Officer since the Squadron formed, left on posting to Dover. He was succeeded by Mr. Fellows, an old acquaintance of mine at the Bristol Flying School at Larkhill where he was the Chief Instructor’s Clerk when I learned to fly in 1913. Other moves about this time were Simpson to a Flight-Commander’s job in Naval Squadron No. 9, and Thompson (J. H.) and Jordan to the Squadron from No. 11 (Naval).
The battle of Messines had started on June 7th and although it was primarily a Second Army affair we were close enough to the fighting to make things strenuous and interesting. Also we had lent Johnston and Macdonald to No. 1 (Naval) to help them through the hard flying days during the push.
