This is the Statement Made by Repatriated Prisoner of War. Statement was taken at Ripom, Yorkshire. Original manuscript Filed with Records. (14-Dec-1918). The Administrative Headquarters of the AIF dates this report as 30th-Dec -1918. (1).

Rank : Lieutenant
Name : RANDELL, F.B.
Squadron : 4th Squadron
Unit : Australian Flying Corps

Circumstance of Capture :
a ) Date : 24th February 1918
b ) Place : Near La Bassee

I was one of a party with 4 machines that set on a bombing raid at 1 pm on 24.2.18. The weather was bad. We "rendezvoused" over Bethune and then proceeded singly in line at a height of 3,000 feet and crossed over as far as the enemy's billeting lines. I was seperated from the party owing to mist. I put my nose down slightly and sighted what appeared to be enemy billets, dropped my bombs and turned due West, being heavily shelled by anti-aircraft guns. There was an enemy balloon in close proximity which I attacked. I fired a number of rounds into it. I did not see what damage I caused to it but it descended rapidly; and enemy protective barrage was put round it. I was making my way back, being heavily shelled by anti-aircraft guns, and was eventually hit by A.A. or Machine guns fire.

My machine caught fire. I was at a height of 1,000 feet and side slipped down. The machine crashed on the left hand side.

Just before the machine landed I jumped clear. I hurt my back in the fall. A German machine gun Corporal came up and claimed to have shot me with his machine gun.

I was taken to an enemy billet, stripped practically naked and my clothes searched. I was then sent by motor car to Lille citadel and there questioned by the German Intelligence Officer. I was locked by myself in a filthy room for two days. Then I was put in a room with two other officers, - Lieutenant Couston, AFC and Lieutenant Gilbert, RFC for eight days. On the second day we found two megaphones hidden in the wall. We were periodically visited by an anti-aircraft Captain who tried to obtain all the information possible, but without success. After this we were taken by train to Karlsruhe. At Lille all my boots and all my kit were taken from me, my boots being replaced by German boots for which I was charged 18 marks.

I remained at Karlsruhe for about 14 days and we were then taken to Landshut where we were inocculated four times and vaccinated once.

I remained at this place for five weeks. During this time the food was exceedingly short. From there I was taken to Holzminden where I remained until 10.12.18 when I was entrained for Holland, reaching Enschede on 11.12.18. I embarked on "Takada" on 12.12.18 and reached Hull on 14.12.18.

1. Prisoner of War Statement courtesy of Gordon Branch.