218 Squadron was formed as a daylight bomber squadron on April 24th 1918 at Gurston Road aerodrome Dover , Kent under the command of Canadian Major Burt Stirling Wemp DFC. The squadron was equipped with the ‘Puma' engined De Havilland D.H.9, commonly referred to, as ‘The Nine-Ack'.

The DH.9 was designed to supersede the DH.4 then operating with some destination on the Western Front, however on reaching front line squadrons the operationally limitations of this hopelessly underpowered aircraft had resulted in high casualty rates amongst the squadrons.

Within 27 days of its formation the squadron left for Petite Synthe, situated close to the coastal town of Dunkirk . The squadron would operate under the control of the 5 th Group under direct control of the Dover-Dunkirk Naval Command. All the pilots' with the exception of the two Canadian flight commanders both of whom were personally chosen by Major Wemp had no operational experience. Officer commanding ‘A' Flight was Captain John Foster Chisholm DSC, and ‘B' Flight commander was Captain William Fulton Cleghorn.

It was not long before the squadron's suffered its first causality, Lieutenant Roderick John Chisholm was killed on a non-operational flight on May 14 th 1918 .

After an intense training programme instigated by Major Wemp and his experienced flight commander the squadron crews were ready to undertake their first operation. This took place on June 10 th 1918 when the squadron set out to attack the Docks and harbour installations of Ostend . Unfortunately, this inaugural operation resulted in the loss of Lieutenant Robinson and gun-layer Claydon.

Ostend was repeatedly attacked throughout June, the participating crews gained much needed experience and confidence on this moderately defended target. With the squadron now ‘blooded' it was decided that attacks on the well-defended targets of Bruges and Zeebrugge should start in earnest.

On June 26 th Captain M.G.Baskerville and his formation of four D.H.9's were operating over Zeebrugge when they encountered four Fokker scouts. In the ensuring mêlée Captain Baskerville claimed the squadron's first aerial victory. Unfortunately, during the same combat the squadron lost Lieutenant Briggs and his observer 2 nd Lieutenant Warner. Both officers were killed, the first combat fatalities suffered by 218 Squadron. During the ensuring weeks the squadron carried out numerous attacks on a number of well-defended targets. Heavy flak and enemy scouts were routinely encountered, it was not uncommon to find every aircraft participating aircraft had been damaged to some degree.

On July 17 th 1918 the squadron made the first of a series of moves, the squadron's new home was Frethun, located near the French port town of Calais . This move was the result of enemy night raids on the various aerodromes situated around Dunkirk . Attacks by 218 continued with the same intensity.

On September 28 th the squadron lost D.H 9 C1206, the loss of an aircraft and its crew was not uncommon during this period. However, unknowingly the squadron had made history. The D.H.9 was flown by 2 nd Lieutenant F.Nelms USMCR and his observer 2 nd Lieutenant Barr USMC. Barr was the first U.S Marine aviator killed by enemy action in World War 1.

 

 

The week that followed would witness a number of firsts for the squadron and its crews. The squadron at the time had within its ranks a number of Americans Marine aviators who had joined the squadron to gain operational experience with the D.H.9. On September 29 th yet another first was made. Corporal McCullough USMCR flying as a gun layer to 1 st lieutenant Mulcahy claimed a Fokker DVII, this was the first US Marine airman to shoot down an enemy aircraft in WW.1. Two days latter the first US Marine Aviation operation was carried out using their own aircraft. Under the guidance and control of 218 squadron Captain Lytle USMC attacked Lichtervelde railway yards in DH.4 (D.1) the operation was successful. On October 4 th , 1 st Lieutenant R Talbot USMC and Cpl R.G Robinson flying in a DH9A (E8465) claimed the first aerial victory for the First Marine Aviation Force (US) while bombing Thourout.

While operational from Frethun the squadron participated in the Belgium Coast offensive which commenced on September 28 th . Operating in the support of the French and Belgium armies the squadron attacked various strategic targets in the face of intense anti aircraft and enemy fighter opposition. A brief departure from the bombing role found the squadron carrying food and supplies. A portion of the French army was cut off by flooding and required supplying from the air. The squadron crews acquitted themselves well, much needed essential supplies were successfully dropped to the beleaguered French. “Manna 1918 style”.

October 25 th the squadron moved yet again this time south to Le Chateau Front. Operating in support of the Third Army from Reumont aerodrome, situated 15 miles from Cambrai. The squadron was heavily engaged until the cessation of hostilities against attacks upon Avesnes, Mauburge, Aulnoye and Charleroi . Although not as heavily defended and formidable as Bruges , Ghent and Zeebrugge the squadron served with distinction.

The squadron's last known operational incident caused by enemy action was on October 13 th when Lieutenant W.Bently was forced to land at St.Pol after his D.H.9 (D2921) was hit by AA fire while attacking Melle. This was Bentley's 45 th operation with 218, his first was carried out on June 17 th against Ostend Harbour .

Within days of the conclusion of the Great War the squadron was ordered to move again, this time the squadron took up residence at Vert-Galand. Here the squadron would stay until its departure back to the United Kingdom on February 7 th 1919 .

From June 11 th until November 11 th , a period of five months, the squadron carried out 117 raids, a total of 94 tons of bombs were dropped, plus 3 tons of much need food and supplies for the French. 38 enemy scouts were officially credited to 218 Squadron.

The squadron was award six D.F.C's, one D.F.M, three M.S.M and six Mention in Dispatches.

The squadron officially disbanded on June 24 th 1919 at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire exactly 14 months after forming. It would be a further 17 years before the squadron would take to the skies again.

The squadron's magnificent record in the last five months of WW.1 is a testament to the fine leadership qualities of Major Wemp and his flight commanders. In January 1919 Major Wemp was invalided back to England and spent the next few months at a Rehabilitation Camp, the intense mental and physical demands of commanding the squadron had it appears caught him up. The squadron had a distinctive Canadian feel to it throughout its early life, this was instrumental in the squadron being a happy and effective bomber unit.

 

 

 

Next: Re-Birth

 

 

 

 

 

© 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association

© Steven SMITH