Buchanan County MO Archives Military Records.....Rosecrans, Guy Wallace December 18, 1917 WWI 153 Aero Squadron A.E.F. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Albert Scarborough cabletv1938@att.net June 29, 2009, 1:08 am History Of 153 Aero Squadron [29] {1227} HISTORY OF THE 153rd. AERO SQUADRON (Monoplace Pursuit) The 153rd. Aero Squadron,was organized on December 8.1917, at Kelly Field,South San Antonio,Texas,with 2nd Lieut. Herman C. Meyers,in Command. The squadron originally consisted of one hundred and fifty-two men,on paper, After considerable effort on the part of Lieut. Meyers the men were finally gathered from the various recruit lines in Kelly Field and assembled in a body, Then individual personal equipment was completed, Three days after it's organization the squa- dron was ordered to another flying field. Squadron departed from Kelly Field,December 11. 1917,personnel consisting of one hundred and fifty-two men and One Officer. Arrived Chanute Field,Rantoul,Illinois,on December le(sic). 1917. At this field the men were assigned to the various schools for training in speciali- zed branches of work; this being oneofthe(sic) first requirements of a Ser- vice Squadron. On December 21. 1917, 1st Lieut. Charles C. Gaines, (Pilot) was assigned to the squadron as Commanding Officer. 2nd Lieut. Herman C. Meyers,relieved. 1st Lieut. John G. Dowling,(Pilot) assigned to the squadron for duty on December 30 1917. On January 2. 1918, 2nd Lieut. Herman C. Meyers was relieved fron(sic) further duty with squadron and ordered to the Aviation Supply Depot, Morrison,Virginia. 1st. Lieut. Alfred A. Camerer,and 1st Lieut. George H. Gwinn, assigned to squadron as Commanding Officer and Supply Officer,respectively; vice 1st Lieut. Charles C. Gaines, and 1st Lieut. John G, Dowling,relieved. On January 7. 1913, 1st Lieut. Linn V. Reed,MRC.assigned to duty with squadron as Medical Officer. Medical Enlisted Personnel attached to squadron on January 13. 1918. After approximately one month of training on air plane construction and in Motor Transport work; the squadron was ordered to a port of embarkation. The Squadron entrained at Chanute Field,Rantoul,Illinois,on January 13. 1913, and arrived at the Aero Concentration and Supply Depot,Garden City,Long Island,New York,on January 20. 1918. On January 21. 1918, 1st Lieut. John G. Agar,Willian S. Baker,and Irving S, Morange (Pilots) were attached to the squadron. 1st Lieut. Linn V. Reed, MRC., relieved fron(sic) duty with squadron as Medical Officer on January 23. 1918. With the exception of Ordnance Property,complete equipment for overseas duty was received at this field. January 23. 1913, 1st Lieut. Scott R. Fisher, MRC, assigned as Medical Officer. January. 30 1918,orders were received for the squadron to proceed Overseas. Departed fron(sic) this field on January 31. 1918, at 5:00 A.M. Embarked on S.S. Adriatic forn(sic) Pier No 60,North River,New York, January 31. 1918. Two days later the Adriatic anchored in Halifax to await her convoy. On February 6. 1918, the convoy of {13} ships inclu- ding an armored cruiser,departed. After ten days of boat drills, seasickness,calesthenics(sic) and atheltic(sic) contests,the convoy arrived at Liverpool,England, on the morning of February 16.1918. This squadron in company with the 22nd. 167th. 168th,185th. and 136th ,Aero Squadrons, departed by train for the American Rest Cmap(sic), Romsey,England. Beginning from the time of debarkation the troubles of the squadron commenced. At Liverpool one of the officers attached,was left in the Red Cross Military Hospital suffering with pneumonia contracted while crossing. With this officer went several of the enlisted, personnel suffering from the Measles; Laterword(sic) was received by the squadron Commander that one of these men,Pvt. John B. Fraser,had died. This death,which occured on February 21.1918, was our first casualty. -2- [30] {1228} Squadron arrived at the Rest Camp on February 16. 1918. Whoever gave this camp the name of "Rest Camp" had evidently seen some hard service. The only place of rest around this camp was a graveyard and even it looked uncertain. On February 22. 1913, 1st Lieut, George H. Gwinn, Squadron Supply Officer, was relieved fron(sic) duty with squadron and Ordered to report to the Aviation Officer at London. Several days later 1st Lieuts. John G. Agar and Irving S. Morange, (Pilots) were ordered to France. Since this date reports have been received that Lieut. Agar has done exceptionnaly(sic) fine work as a pilot; meeting his death some- time during the month of October. 1st Lieut. Scott R. Fisher, MRC. relieved fron(sic) duty with squadron and the Commanding Officer, 1st Lieut. Alfred A. Camerer was detached from the squadron and ordered to report for duty at Northolt,Ruislip,England. On authority of the Aviation Officer, London, England the squadron was divided into flights, this to facilitate the training of the per- sonnel, andordered(sic) to report to Royal Flying Corps Aerodromes as follows "A" Flight, 36 men and N.C.O's. to Thetford,Norfolk, England. "B" Flight, 37 men and N.C.O's. to Dover, Kent, England. "C" Flight, 37 neb(sic) and N.C.O's. to Wye, Kent, England. "D" Flight, 30 men and N.C.O's. to Thetford, Norfolk, England. Flights departed for their various training stations on Fe- bruary 28. 1918. Seven months passed before these flights again became a squadron. History by Flights. "A" Flight, on arrival at Thetford.Morfolk, England, was attached to the 12th. and 25th. Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. This Flight had training on S.E. 5's, De Haviliand(sic) 4's and 9's (Scout, Observation and Bombers), also the Avro Training planes. Work in these training sta- tions consisted mainly in assembling, fitting and repairing of planes used by the students and instructors. Im(sic) May 1918, the flight was trans- ferred to Wyton,Huntington,England for further training. The training of the men had advanced far enough by this date to warrant an entirely Ame- rican flight, separate fron the British Flights. On this field their work was mainly on the D.H. 6's and the British Experimental planes. This flight did excellent work while in training at this station. August 16. 1918. the Flight was again transferred. Montrose, Scotland was their new training field. Each tine(sic) the Flight was transferred the men had practically to begin their work over again. Flight was again transferred, this tine(sic) to the American Air Service Camp, Flower Down, Winchester, England, there to await the arrival of the other Flights. "B" Flight arrived at Dover Kent, England on February 28. 1918, and immediately went into training with the Royal Flying Corps Training Squadrons on duty at that station. Part of the Flight was attached to the 62nd. and part to the 65th. Training Squadrons. The work on this field was on the Sopwith "Camels and Pups", both Scouting Planes. Quite often their work was varied by the arrival on the field of a Bristol Fighter, or other type of plane. This air drome, being situated on the very top of the famous "Cliffs of Dover" and only twenty one miles from Calais, France, was a tempting spot for the German raiding planes to drop their load. On several occasions, while this Flight was stationed there, the German Raiders having been turned back fron(sic) London proceeded to get rid of -3- [31] {1229} their bombs on the air drome and the city of Dover. Soon after the completion of the first month oftraining(sic), an American Flight was established at this field. Personnel of this flight was taken from the 153rd. Aero Squadron and the 141st Aero Squadron. This flight was in charge of it's own non-connissioned officers and made an enviable record. On April 2. 1918, all the American Troops on duty at this station consisting of "B" Flight, 153rd. Aero Squadron and the 141st, and 162nd Aero Squadrons were entertained by the Mayor of Dover. A reception was held in thier(sic) honor and took place in the historic city hall of Dover. This was the first time in the history of Dover, as mentioned by the Mayor, in his speech of welcome, that Foreign Troops ever entered the city, The beginning of the now famous "Zebrugge Raid" was at this city and - the personnel then stationed there had the pleasure of seeing the begin- ning and the end of the same. As the ship "Vindictive" which played so important a part in this raid, was anchored in this harbor, the men had every opportunity of seeing the destruction caused by the German shells. On May 1. 1918, the Flight received orders to proceed to Northolt, Ruislip,England., arriving there the sane(sic) date. While on duty at this station the American Flight, made up of personnel from "B" and "D" Flights 153rd. Aero Squadron and 369th. Aero Squadron, established a record of the greatest number of "Flying hours" for a weeks tinem(sic) of any other flight in England, including the British. It was during this period that Pvt. Kai Madsen was very seriously hurt when struck by a "prop" . Pvt. Madsen has since been sent back to the States for further treatment. August 16. 1919 the Flight was transferred to London Colney, Herts, England. Training at this station was on the English Spad and the S.E.5' s, both Scout Planes. Two weeks later orders were received to the effect that the squadron would reassemble at Winchester England and on August 29 1918 this Flight departed for the American Air Service Camp, Flower Downm(sic) Winchester. "C" Flight arrived at Wyem Kent,England, on March 1. 1918, and was attache d(sic) to the 42nd. Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. This Air drone at Wye is located in the garden spot of England and fifteen miles fron(sic) the famous Canterbury Cathedral of Chaucer's day. The trai- ning here was as elsewhere except that on the Farnum Experimental plane of the Pusher Type. The American Flight on this field was composed of "C" Flight, 153rd Aero Squadron and personnel from the 165th Aero Squadron. Near this air drome the famous Gotha Raiders, seven planes in formation, made an attempt to attack London. Between the attacking British planes and tje(sic) Anti-Aircraft Guns, stationed near the air drome, two of the raiders were brought down. On this field another member of the squadron was seriously injured, Pvt. Harry V. Stephenson. Recently word was received that Pvt. Stephenson had been returned to the States and there received his discharge. The record of all Air dromes in England is held by the Wye Air Drome for the greatest amount of flying accomplished for a given period Although not an exceptionally large field the amount of flying done here was tremendous. On August 16. 1918, this flight was transferred to Weston-on-the-Green, Oxford, England, and after a few days training on this field it was transferred to Winchesterm(sic) there to rejoin the squadron. "D" Flight being the Motor Transport Section of this squadron, this Flight has probably had a greater variety of experiences than any other flight of the four. This Flight went into training at Thetford,Norfolk, England, in conjunction with "A" Flight. Practically all the motor transportation at this airdrome was handled by this flight. At the beginning the -4- [32] {1230} work was somewhat difficult as the men were not accustoned(sic) to the English and Scotch type of engines and trucks. On May 1. 1918 this flight was transferred to Northolt, Ruislip, England. At this station the men were taken off the Motor Transport work and put to repairing and assembling of planes in conjunction with "B" Flight. They con- tinued this work until July 20 1918 when they were ordered to France as a Motor Transport Flight. Departed from Northolt July 20 arriving at Dover Harbor sane(sic) date. Left Dover Harbor July 21 arriving Dund- queque(sic),France, same date. Upon arrival at Dunquerque this Flight relie- ved the Motor Transport Flight was divided into two sections, one sec- tion being stationed at Petite Sanse and the other at Coutiqurque. Both sections were attached to the Motor Transport Section of the Royal Naval Air Force. The work required of this Flight consisted of trans- porting bombs to Aeroplane Bases and ammunition to the Anti-Aircraft Guns stationed around this section of the country. This Flight being conposed(sic) entirely of automobile mechanics it was not long after it's arrival until it made use of the remains of salvaged cars on the Bomb Dump, after assembling parts fron(sic) different Fords one Ford that would run was finally obtained. The biggest thing about it was a siren and it was not very long until the people in the vicinity were well enough accquainted(sic) with it to give it the road when they heard that siren. On several occasions other American Troops on duty near here tried their best to obtain it. On leaving this station the car was given to the Naval Forces then on duty at an American Sea- plane Base near there. August 16. 1918 the Flight was ordered back to England, arriving at Hounslow,Middlesex on August 18. 1913. After a few days stay at this station they were ordered to report to the American Air Service Camp Flower Down there to join the other flights. Rejoined their squadron on August 30/1918. On September 1. 1918, the squadron was again organized comple- te with 1st. Lieut. Alfred A. Camerer, in command. Sept. 4. 1918. 2nd Lieut. Wilfred H. Johnston, was assigned to squadron and later on as Squadron Supply Officer. On Sept. 9. 1918. the former Medical Officer was again attached to the squadron. Captain Fisher had been promoted to this rank since leaving the squadron. Personnel was brought up to maximum strength and put on and active duty basis for service in France. On September 12. 1918 squadron departed for the port of em- barkation, Southanpton(sic), England, at which port they embarked for France. Arrived at Le Havre, France Septembe(sic) 13. 1918. Squadron imme- diately marched to the American Rest Camp No 2. At this amp(sic) all proper- ty, other than Equipment "A", was taken from the possession of the squadron. September 15 1918, squadron departed for St. Maixent, France by train. Our accomodations(sic) were excellent as there were only thirty- seven men to a box car in place of the usual forty. Arrived at this post September 17. 1918. Again the squadron was issued complete equipment and also in- creased it's strength with men fron(sic) the Casual Squadrons on duty at this post. An Engineerin g(sic) Officer 2nd, Lieut. Joseph Rawley, assigned to squadron on Sept. 17.1918. After a ten day stay at this post squadron was ordered out. Another ride in the French Pullman and the squadron arrived at St. Hilaire-de-Reiz, thence by truck fron(sic) this station to the Aerial Gunnery School, St. Jean-de-Monts (Vendee). Here the squadron was settled for the winter without hopes of ever reaching the front. With the exception of one accident on this field, the death of Pvt. Guy W. Rosecrans of St. Joseph, Missouri, resulting from injuries received while "Proping" a "Liberty Twelve" the program has -5- [33] {1231} continued without incident.. __________________________ # Orig. not sgd. Edited Information Section Air Service by E.A. ROGERS. 2nd Lieut. A.S. Roster of Officersof(sic) the 153rd Air Squadron,since its organization 1st Lieut. Lynn V. Reed M.R.C. 1st Lieut. Charles C, Gaines " " John G. Dowling " " Alfred A. Camerer " " George H. Gwinn " " John G. Agar " " William S. Baker " " Irving S. Morange. 2nd Lieut. Herman G. Meyers " " " Joseph Rawley Capt. Scott R. Fisher M.R.C. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ REFERENCE: GORRELL'S HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES AIR SERVICE, 1917-1919 {Col. Edgar S. Gorrell, Assistant Chief Staff of the Air Force.} Service in the American Expeditionary Force (World War I), 1917-23, Record Group 120. NARA Archive [M990] [Series E] [Volume 20] {Pg's. 1227 - 1231} Additional Comments: Death of Guy Wallace Rosecrans at St. Jean - de - Monts (Vendee) 1918. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mo/buchanan/military/ww1/other/rosecran81gmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mofiles/ File size: 17.3 Kb