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Officers of 103 Squadron, probably taken in France after the war. Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Neg no. P02163.010. From September to the Armistice 103 Squadron was heavily engaged in harassing the retreating German armies and took a heavy toll. Major Fuller was replaced as Squadron CO by Major M H B Nethercote on the 21st September 1918 and proved a most determined commander. The Squadron moved to a new base at Floringhem on the 21st October 1918 and moved again to Ronchin on the 26th October 1918. On the 30th October 1918 the Squadron, led by Captain Dodds, bombed attacked targets near Orcq near Tournai, Belgium from 14,000ft. On turning for home the formation was attacked by 10 enemy fighters. In the ensuing combats two enemy aircraft were seen to go down out of control although they were not seen to crash. The DH 9 of Sergeant McNeil and his Observer failed to return to base and they were posted missing. Major Nethercote was to lead the Squadron in an attack on the German airfield at Roubaix later that afternoon. With his Observer, Lieutenant Corey, Nethercote dropped his bombs between two hangers. One was demolished and two enemy aircraft were destroyed. Later Corey shot down a Fokker DVII. Major Nethercote was awarded the DSO for his leadership on this highly successful operation. Several other German fighters were either shot down or seen to go down out of control in the combats with various 103 Squadron aircraft that followed. In the last days of the war the Squadron was heavily engaged in attacking German airfields, railway stations, transport, and retreating troop columns in the Wattines and Enghien area with little or no opposition. On the 10th November 1918 the Squadron took part in their last operation of the war. The Wing sent over 100 aircraft to attack enemy troop columns and railway transport, which was carried out with great success. The following day the Squadron received the signal that hostilities were to cease from 11.00 am that day and no machines were to cross East of the balloon lines. At the base their was much joy amongst the 103 Squadron personnel at the news of victory and that the war was over. In addition there much relief amongst the survivors that they had been spared and some sorrow for those who did not make it. During the next few months the Squadron started to relax. Other units were visited, some joy riding undertaken The crews collected several German aircraft and flew these over the base in mock dogfights and several visits were made to targets they had bombed so that they could get a close look at their handiwork. They received a special visitor shortly after the Armistice with the unexpected arrival of His Royal Highness the Duke of York who stayed for some time mixing with the crews and asking many questions. On the 29th January 1919 80 Wing disbanded and 103 Squadron moved to Maisoncelle. Here they participated in the introduction of the first air mail service between Germany, France and Britain with 120 Squadron and 57 Squadron. 120 Squadron picked up the mail at Lymphe in England and flew it to Maisoncelle. 103 Squadron flew it on to Morville in the Ardennes and 57 Squadron completed the final leg to Cologne in Germany and visa versa. The weather conditions during the winter were poor and the crews were forced to fly at low level below cloud following the roads. It was standard practise to fly to the right of the poplar trees that lined the roads to avoid collisions with any returning aircraft coming the other way. Even so three of the Squadron's personnel were killed flying these seemingly innocuous duties. The last mail run was flown on the 12th March 1919 and the Squadron returned to England and flew to Shotwick on the 26th March. It was disbanded there on the 1st October 1919. During its two year existence 103 Squadron had become a very effective day bomber and reconnaissance unit participating in many successful operations and also had acquitted itself very well in combat against enemy fighters. | |
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103 SquadronCommanding Officer, Major Nethercote, pictured in the centre with two of his officers at the end of the war. The aircraft is a captured German machine. Note the absence of rubber tyres because of the shortage of this material in Germany in the last months of the war. | ||
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