3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps in the Communiques

Communique No.117, 7th December 1917 Capt W. Anderson and Lt J Bell, 69 Squadron AFC, were engaged in artilley observation when they met an EA two-setaer and drove it down out of control, and it was seen to crash by ground observers.

Communique No.118, 17th December 1917 Six Albatros aircraft attacked Lt J.L.M. Sandy and Sgt H.F. Hughes, 69 Squadron AFC, flying an RE8. The pilot and Observer refused to dive away from the EA but fought and shot down one within our lines. Lts E.J. Jones and K.C. Hodgson of the same squadron went to their assistance and fired away all their ammunition so returned for more, but did not find the enemy. Lt Sandy and Sgt Hughes were shot down and killed.

Communique No.124, 25th January 1918 nd Lts C Matheson and C Brown, 3rd Squadron AFC, were attacked by two EA two-seaters, one of which they shot down in flames.

Communique No.3, 15th April 1918 On the 1st instant, Lts R.G.D. Francis and R Hainsworth, 3 Sqn AFC, were attacked by an enemy two seater which dived past them. They immediately opened fire at the EA which turned into the clouds, pursued by the RE8, and the EA was intercepted each time it attempted to turn towards its own lines. When almost over the aerodrome at Abeele, several bursts were fired into the EA which went down and was seen to crash in our lines.

Communique No.3, 21st April 1918 Capt E.J. Jones and Lt A.L.D. Taylor, 3 Sqn, AFC engaged one of two EA two seaters which went down clearly out of control and seen to crash and burst into flames near the ground.

Communique No.10, 9th June 1918 Lts R.C. Armstrong and F.J. Hart, 3 Sqn AFC, on returning from the line had their attention attracted by anti-aircraft bursts to an EA two-seater which was making for the line. Lt Armstrong cut the EA off and by skillful manoeuvring forced it to land intact on his own aerodrome.

Communique No.13, 27th June 1918 Lt N.F. McKenna and Lt W.P. Heslop, 3 Sqn AFC.,while on artillery observation, were attacked on all sides by 12 Albatros Scouts, one of which Lt Heslop shot down out of control.

Communique No.16, 15th July 1918 Lts J. Gould-Taylor and B.G. Thomson, 3 Sqn AFC., while on artillery observation, attacked an enemy two-seater, which dived steeply after 50 rounds had been fired at it by the pilot, and burst into flames upon hitting the ground.

Communique No.18, 1st August 1918 Lts A.E. Grigson and H.B. Joames, 3 Sqn AFC., while on artillery patrol observed two of our balloons shot down by an enemy scout, at which they dived. Lt Grigson having fired 150 rounds in bursts, turned away, allowing Lt James to fire 100 rounds into the EA, which they saw it crash.

Enemy machines were also driven down out of control during the period under review by; Communique No.3 : 3 AFC, Lts W.V. Hervert and F.A Sewell. Communique No.7 : 3 AFC, Capt E.J. Jones and R.Hainsworth. Communique No.10 : 3 AFC, Lts R.C. Armstrong and J.H. Jeffrey, T.L Baillieu and F.A.Sewell. Communique No.19 : 3 AFC, Lts H.S. Foale and F.A. Sewell, Lts N.F. McKenna and R.W. Kirkwood. Communique No.21 : 3 AFC, Lts A.E. Grigson and H.B James. Communique No.22 : 3 AFC, Lts J. Gould-Taylor and B.G. Thomson.