Bavay, France 24th November 1918 - 29th May 1919
59570 Bavay
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The Webmaster's wife with Monsieur François Duriez who acted as our guide for the day.
They are standing at the edge of the WW1 landing ground.
49 Squadron took possession of an airfield that had, until recent weeks, been in German hands for the duration of the war.
The now ruined windmill which was a feature of the aerodrome.
The area was strategically important hence the presence of French WW2 bunkers in the immediate area.
Another French WW2 bunker with a second windmill used by the Germans in WW1 as a disguised observation post.
The observation post, built with the same brick, can be seen at the top of the windmill which is now in a very dangerous condition.
We would like to thank Monsieur Gabelle (LHS) for allowing us to visit his farm.
The Association would also like to thank François and Chantal Duriez for their extensive help and generous hospitality.
49Sqn and Bavay
24th November 1918 - 29th May 1919
Casualties: 2 x DH9 The final losses suffered by 49Sqn were two DH9s that crashed during their transit flights to this airfield. There were no serious injuries.
During its eleven months or so of active service, 49Squadron dropped 120 tons of bombs, destroyed 56 enemy aircraft and forced down another 63; its pilots and observers won the following decorations:
10 DFCs, 4 Croix de Guerre, 1 DFM and 1 Meritorious Service Medal.
In May 1919, the squadron was posted to Bickendorf, Germany as part of the Army of Occupation.
No 49 Squadron ‘A’ Flt RAF Bavay, France 15th January 1919.
RE9s at Bavay
The Château de Rametz was only about 1km south of the airfield at Bavay. There is no direct evidence that the château was occupied or used by the RAF but, given its location, it would surely have been on the visiting list at least.
Thanks to Dan Savident we have several pictures of the château and a group of, we presume, 49 Squadron Officers sat on the front steps.