Diary of Second Lieutenant Harold Gordon Cornell- 1916-1917- Part 8

Visited aerodrome Friday morning, all classes

of machines in stock, saw DHL s, Br Fighters,

Spads S E 5 s for first time. Visited St

Omer with Williams in afternoon. Quite a

decent town, with plenty of shops, but

everything pretty dear. Evidence of bombing

raids in broken & patched windows, &

shattered buildings. All cellar entrances

protected by sand-bags. Streets dirty &

mostly "high". Tea at Y.M.C.A. Officers Club,

not up to much. In evening a concert at

a hall or barn near by, not that bad.

Sat morning visited town again, market

day & very interesting, went in again with

Williams after lunch. Sunday ditto, fire

at French Barracks at night, which I went 

in to see. Williams posted Monday, took

in Tuesday 20^th

letter from me for Ted. Orderly officer on

Tuesday, censored letters in morning, on duty

in Office 8 to 10 (approx).  G

Wed. 21^st
Guns on front audible at all times here,
excessive firing yesterday, understand a
very big push in progress, which has
had excellent results. Report from aerodrome
that 80 machines lost. Over 20 pilots left
here in last 2 days, no word yet for me.
Food at mess is excellent, but accommodation
poor, shif amusements ping-pong & poker
Thurday 22^nd Nov. Yesterday about 11 am.
received notice of posting to 68 Sqdn.
Left by tender about 3 p.m after writing
Base Cashier at St. Omer for cash to pay
mess bill. Travelled 66 miles by road to
No 2. A.D. (Pool Pilots), arriving about 7-30 pm.
& remaining overnight. 2 A.D. knew nothing
about me, but rang up 68 that I was
there. The mers Pool was rather a wretched
place, much worse than 4. A.G.D: 10 or 12
men sleeping to a hut, instead of six,
& the whole place in a very muddy
conditions. Numbers of R.E8 pilots there
sent back when the strength of their
squadrons was reduced from 24 to 18.
Tender arrived for me from 68 Squadron
about 12-30, while I was at A.R.S

examining a Hun machine. Had some trouble
in getting away from Pool, as adjutant seemed
to think I was posted there, & wanted
authority to let me go to 68. Convinced
him at last & got away. About 80 minutes
side from 2 A.D through Doullens to 68 Sqdn
at Baizieux. At present am supernumeracy in
68, but will be attached almost immediately
as there have been several casualties in
this "push" & we are under strength.
Sheppard was wounded Tuesday & is returning
to England. "Burty" Clarke is missing today.
A. Flt. Commander (Bell) & Pratt have been also
wounded, Benjamin is here & just attached , Lt.
Griggs formerly of 69 also here. Four Hun
machines brought down today by our squadron.
Major Watt appears a very decent chap & I expect to
get on well with him & indeed with all the men.
Our squadron does mostly contact patrol
work, & is chiefly subject to machine gun
fire. Hope to get in a good deal of
practice before going over the lines.
Will have to wait till a machine
arrives for me before I can do any flying.
Each pilot flies only his own machine & has
his own rigger & fitter. Surprised to find
Bill Warren among the riggers here.
Sat Nov 24^th  Friday morning was roused at
5-30, with Benjamin & Howard, had breakfast
& travelled by tender to 2 A.D. Canelas to
collect DH5's. All new machines, left there
about 9 a.m. & flew in formation, close to ground,
(clouds 200-30 ft) back to 'drome Howard
leading. All landed together, flight about
15 mins. & a very enjoyable trip. Mine was
a particularly good machine; & has been
allotted to me. The rest of the day the 'bus
was in the hands of mechanics, straps put on
all T pieces in cylinder heads; new plugs
inserted, bomb racks fitted, Aldis sight,
all rigging overhauled, & machine cleaned up
generally; mechanics say that engine is the
best they have had. My fitter Barber, &
rigger both good men.
Push continued during the day; from

the morning patrol, one machine (Holdens)
returned with fif about 50 bullet holes
through every part of the bus, c.c pipe
shot through, aileron control wire, etc. etc.
From afternoon patrol Griggs (formerly 69)
missing, & Hyns (also 69) wounded since died.
This morning was called up again 4-45a.m
& sent to 2 A.D with Holden, Benjamin & Truscott
for 4 more new machines. Only one ready which
H. took back. We three were to leave together,
when our machines were ready. I took off
first, Truscott followed. Flew round drome
for 25 mins, waiting for Benjamin, then saw
2 DH5s in formation & followed, over
Doullens & East. Leader appeared to be uncertain
of his way & steered N.E. instead of S.E. Surprised
to see a 4th 'bus in the formation.
Leader turned off towards Arras then seeing
his mistake headed back to Doullens,
wheeled again & cleared off E. The ^other three of
us left him, & landed at a drome which
was firing Verey's lights; proved to be
24 Sqdn at Marieux. Other pilots proved
to be Truscott & a stranger. T & I. again
set off, but lost each other, & I reached
the drome so after some trouble, finding
T already there & Benjamin. Surprised to
learn that B. had had a slight mishap
on the drome & were held up nearly an hour,
so that T & I. had followed two strange
machines. Was to xx have gone up to
machine b.dropping & firing today, & to
visit the lines with Capt Phillips, but wind
increased so much that flying was washed
out. Am to be Ord Officer for tomorrow.
7 pilots off strength in last four days
Ward, missing, Sheppard wounded, Capt Bell S. wounded
Clark O.C. Missing, Griggs missing. Ayers D of W.
Monday 26^th Nov  Yesterday was bitterly
cold & a most violent wind prevailed
all day, slackening off a little towards
evening. A few of us went up then
but the air was very bumpy, & it
was dark within 15 mins after I
left, the ground, & light were

fired to bring us back. Performed the
duties of O.O. during the day, the chief
business being letter censoring. Today
Clark, Benjamin, Forrest, Grant, Truscott
& myself, with Howard as leader, had
a formation flight over towards the
lines, through Bapaume towards
Cambrai, down near St Quentin, & back.
We were at no time over enemy
country, but a Hun Archie fired
a couple of salvoes near us. We had
a most interesting trip; lost Clark
near St Quentin; he landed cl with a
dud engine, & found his way back
during the afternoon. Had two trips
during the afternoon, dropping bombs
& machine gun firing on the 'drome
Taylor brought down a Hun 2 seater
today.
Tuesday. Nov 27^th  Another dud day, wind
rain, no machines have been out all day.
Have had ^prs of. compass altered in my bus, also
prs of B.Wire for C.C gear. Received my
first letters since arriving in France.
Thursday 29^th. Nothing of importance to report.
Two flights yesterday around the 'drome dropping
bombs & practising with m.g: similar performance
today, & this afternoon visited Bapaume,
landing at A.L.G; Power arrived tonight
from 2.A.D: Four machines written off today,
Grant & Clark landing at A.L.G.; Howard shot
through longeron by Hun 2-seater which he brought
down. & Truscott.
Saturday Dec 1^st  Yesterday morning I was called
at 7-30 for 9-30 patrol, but I had just
stared breakfast (about 5-10) when the Klatron
went for both patrols A &.C. "C" patrol
was to be on trench strafing, & our patrol
was to stay overhead, & protect them.
Capt Phillips & myself, & Holden followed close
behind the "C" Formation, Clark the 4th
man, was late & followed up later. We arrived
safely over Bourlon wood & then the fun
began; it to me it was all very
surprising, I could pick out the Wood

- Cambrai in the distance, but other features
I had no time to identify, & was uncertain
all the time, just what portion of the ground
was in our hands, & what in the Bosch.
We flew at about 3000 ft, & I hung on to
Capt. Ph. as best I could, for he was dodging
about everywhere. A tremendous amount
of firing was going on below us, both m.g.
& shelling; at times when we got over
Hun territory, we would be "archied" &
have to dodge back: for the most part
I understand we kept just within our own
territory. Huns in numbers (though I didn't
recognise them) were further East, but
they made no attempt to come our
way. In one of my twins I was right of
Phillips, & backed myself on to Holden & remained
with him some time. Suddenly a Hun 2 seater
shot by on my right, & I whipped round in case
he should attempt to get on my tail; however
he kept right on & was about out of range
before I could sight him. His observer
fired a burst at me which went wide,
& I turned back to look for Holden.
Couldn't find him, but came across Clark,
who had arrived, & followed him round
a few minutes, when my engine suddenly
sputtered & stopped. I turned & made for
our territory (Fancy I was over Hunland at the
time) but quite failed to get more than
a arbitary kick out of the engine. Imagine
I was heavily fired on while gliding but if
so was not hit. Was coming down cross wind
& in my anxiety to reach our lines, left it
too late to turn up wind. Struck unde ground
cross wind, swept off undercarriage & turned
completely over, striking my nose on the wind screen
& finding myself tightly pinned in the machine.
Blood was flowing freely from my mouth & nose, but
otherwise though shaken I was not hurt, & after
some difficulty I unfastened belt, & managed
to worm my way backwards & out of machine
between struts. I suppose I was 10 minutes
getting clear. All this time shells were falling
thickly all round, but I was rather too

dazed to pay much attention to them. I made
for the village about 400 yds on my left, as though
it appeared to be under heavy shell fire I
thought it safer than the open. The village
was quite deserted, but I found a comfortable
basement in one of the largest houses &
settled down to recover myself. The shelling of
the town Village appeared to increase in violence
& a couple struck the place I was in
though without harming me in my retreat.
When I felt recovered, I decided it would
be best to clear out from the village, but
on the outskirts the shells were falling so
thickly, that after hesitating a while I

decided it was best to return to my dug-out
which I did. I landed at 10 a.m & remained
in the village till about 1 p.m. when as the shelling
had slackened a little, I made my escape &
was soon beyond the ar zone of heavy fire.
The village had been left by the Germans in
haste & wh all their belongings were still
there. I had not much opportunity for
looking round but collected a set of chess men
& a Hun Bible, as souvenirs, also a few
shrapnel bullets, preferring them to Hun helmets
or rifles, which I am considered too heavy to carry
rounds. So far I had not seen any-one & was
rather doubtful of my position, but after consulting
the map & comparing it with the country, I decided
the village must be Cantaing (which proved to
be correct). I was rather afraid what was
now I might wander into Hun positions, so
was relieved, when I had proceeded about
½ a mile southwards to see some English
Tommies in their trenches. I joined these
& when their officer has recovered from his
first suspicion that I was a Hun, he took
me below & had me looked after, as I was in
rather sorry condition. I had stumbled on
a line of support trenches, the front line being
on the opposite side of the village & I had
landed between the two. The company I had
joined proved to be "A" Comp. 2 D.L.I. & they
made me very welcome. I was in one of
the old Hun dug-outs, built 70 or 80 ft

underground, strongly timbered & quite dry & airy.
I remained with these fin bunch & had a message
sent through the Brigade to our Squadron. The
trenches overhead were being heavily shelled &
there were one or two casualties while I was
there. Later an orderly took me with him a few
hundred yards to the H'qrs D.L.I. in a similar
dug-out. (We had a sprint across the open) &
I remained there till the firing slackened about
6 p.m. Then directed by 2 despatch carriers
I tramped 3 miles to Ribecourt, the B'ge
H'quarters, where I saw the B'dier & B'ge Major
& inquired for transport going West. They however
could offer me nothing; everything was disorganised
& they were all packed ready to shift their
quarters elsewhere should the Huns continue their
advance. However they sent me with an orderly
to the F'd Dressing Station, whence after some
time, I was able to travel with an
ambulance as far as Fins. I left it
there & attempted to get a train to Ba'paume
but none were running: so I picked up a heavy
lorry travelling towards Peronne, & went it turned
off left it & picked up another which took me
to Bapaume, I left it shortly after passing
through the town & walked over to the D.L.C.
arriving about 3. a.m; I then settled down
in the officers mess till 7 am, when I got
fixed up with a ride-car & was taken
back to the aerodrome. No'one had seen me
land & I was reported missing till my
message arrived in the evening. I had
quite a welcome back. Major insisted on
my resting all day & I have done so.
Hurley & Capt Witson each secured a Hun
yesterday, & MacKenzie another today.
27 Huns brought down by the Wing yesterday
Benjamin's machine was badly shot about

today, & li lost himself, but landed

safely at Arras, none the worse.
My machine at F 27 d 6.8, attempts to salve
it will be made, probably tomorrow.
Wed. Dec 5^th. On Sunday, the Major sent

for the Doctor to have a look at me. 

& though he found nothing the matter,
he ordered me a week off duty, apparently
considering I had got a bad shock.
Things are a bit slow as the Major will
not allow me to fly. On Monday, he offered
to try to procure me leave to Paris, but so
far nothing has come of it. The frosts
have set in very heavily the last few
days, today being the coldest so far,
though fine. The Huns are making us
a skating ring just outside the mess,
so I expect we will be having some
fun in the next few days.
Friday Dec 7^th  Late Wed night Tanner (R.O)
called in & told me my leave had come
through & that I might pack at once. The Major
wrote me a letter to Miss Dowd & gave me several
commissions to execute for him (ph. records & books etc)
Tender about 12-20 took me to Amiens, where
I had to wait till about 3 a.m for the
train to arrive (said to leave at 2-10).
Paris reached about 7-30 & taxied
to Hotel Edward VII, recommended by the
major, as a good place at reasonable rates.
However it strikes me as rather too elaborate
& I am afraid my bill will be pretty coundil,
Registered to A.P.M after breakfast, then 
after stroll, looked up Miss Dowd, who is a
governess (& looking after (& previously looked after
Major Watts niece). She made me very
welcome, & I stayed to lunch with her
& her present charge, a little French girl
(about 13). In the afternoon with their help
I purchased the books & records for the major
which occupied all afternoon. Left Miss Dowd
after tea, had an evening at the Cinema,
an hours stroll among the "pros" in the B'de
du Cepmiens, which proved highly interesting
then home, about midnight, a hot bath,
& to bed where I slept till 11 a.m this morning.
Monday Dec 10^th  On Friday after writing a letter
home I had lunch at the Hotel Edw VII,
not a big meal by any means, nor elaborate
but it cost me 17 francs. I resolved

to have no more meals there. Then as
arranged I went to Miss Dowds, & after
visiting the Bank with her, & purchasing the
gloves the Major required, also a little varied
shopping, the day was finished. I had
dinner at a restaurant in the B'vard de
Capmiens, where I chummed up with one of
the fair diners (who could speak not a word of
English). We had a "boge" at a Cinema, after
which, after some difficulty, I got rid of her.
& returned home. Saturday morning
called on Miss Dowd at 9-45 & together
we visited Notre Dame, & the Palais de Justice
besides viewing from outside most of the public
buildings in that quarter. Back to lunch
with M. Cocheau & in the afternoon we
visited Les Invalides, saw the various war
trophies but not the Tomb of Napoleon which
was closed. Sunday rose at 11 a.m, found
an excellent place for lunch at 5 francs, which
I wish I had known of earlier. Called on Miss
Dowd at 2 p.m. & with Mr. C & Yvonne. visited
Les Invalides again. This time we wr able
to see the tomb a most impressive sight.
We then returned to the Boulevards, &
attempted to visit one or two places,
which proved to be hopelessly crowded out.
Bought a b.p. for Millie, & returned to with
my friends to tea, then said good-byes
Visited another show tonight, called for my
baggage at the Hotel at 11 pm. & left the Gare
du Nord 11.45. Was at Amien about 4-30
& found a tender waiting. Got back to
camp & slept till 9. After breakfast,
Howard Holden Clark & myself left for a
formation. Went to Abbiville landed &
stayed for lunch; these French machines
(one Spad, two Sop 2. Seat) also landed probably
thinking the place an aerodrome. We landed
by the 3^rd Aust Hosp. & had a great welcome,
afterwards lunching in their mess; returned
safely about 3-45, after a very pleasant
outing. The S.E. 5s are now arriving &
today "B" Flight left for Paris Plaza with

most of the new machines, for instruction.
Our flight has one, & I hope for a flight
tomorrow. Later we will also leave for
Paris Plaza. Our squadron is now for off
active work, so we should have a nice
quiet time for several weeks till
we are efficient in the new machines.
Leave has also started Capt. Phillips &
Robertson are both away; one to leave every
five days; my leave in about 3 months.
No accidents in the squadron during my
absence, but our forces have retired a
good distance in the Cambrai front; the
place where I landed near Cantaing is
now two or three miles behind the Huns lines.
Tomorrow I shift from here & change Huts with
Power; an arrangement which Benjamin asked
me to make, but which will probably
suit me better also, as I shall have
a hut to myself.

Extract Orders No 162
School for Wireless Operators
Farnborough.
July 1917
Punishment:-
67988 3 a/m Gash S.V. awarded 168 hours
detention & forfeits 7 days pay under
Section 46 Army etal, for - When on
active service, Neglect of duty viz -
asleep during lecture course.
Who said militarism!