History - World War I (9)

…… until the last moment with orders to destroy the machines if necessary. Iwas unable to get in touch with XV Corps so I ordered the telephone exchange and compass station to pack up. A British officer in a lorry which pulled up at the Aerodrome asked to borrow a car as he wanted to way-lay an ammunition supply column which was apparently coming up to La Gorgue. I was unable to help him as I had sent the convoy off to Serny. He informed me he was unable to get into La Gorgue owing to the machine-gun fire. I then decided to burn the machines and retire from the Camp; as far as I can remember it was about 11 o’clock. The fog was as thick as ever and it was quite impossible to fly. I fully realised the seriousness of the situation but being unable to communicate with any reliable authority, I had to act on my own. If there had been British troops in the area I should have left the machines for them to destroy, in accordance with orders, but I felt it extremely in probable that a panic-stricken crowd of Portuguese troops retiring in open disorder without equipment or officers would carry out this, even if they had received orders to do so.

The ammunition supply column which had been parked on the road alongside the hangars had gone, their guns having been captured. The machines were then burnt and everyone cleared out by 11.30. I have described the events as nearly as possible in the order in which they occurred. The times I have given are only approximate. The only thing left behind was one Austin lighting set and some petrol arid oil. The Squadron packed and moved in under three hours.


I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Sgd.) C. Draper,

- Major.


After this unhappy event, clearly a very difficult decision for the Squadron Commander, the unit reformed at Serny where it received a full complement of over 20 aircraft inside two days. 208 was one of four Squadrons at Serny which was one of the largest aerodromes on the whole front. The stay at Serny lasted five months during which the pilots engaged in 103 combats bringing down 86 of the enemy with only 6 casualties. Whilst at Serny the Squadron almost recovered the spirit of the Mont St. Eloi period and was therefore very disappointed when moved south to Tramecourt for two months. During this time His Majesty the King

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