Commonwealth War Graves in Iraq
6 Squadron RAF, WW1 Aviation and My Books
6 Squadron Aerial Photos - St Eloi (and the 1916 St Eloi Craters)
The two photographs on Page 7 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1.
Both photographs of Page 7 were shot by the crew of a 6 Squadron RE8 over the town of St Eloi, as defined by the mapping coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. O. 2. B, each area measuring 500 yards square. This was a prime example of a 6 Squadron WW1 aerial reconnaissance operation. The first photograph was taken on the 18th May 1917 and the second on the 11th June 1917, 4 days after the 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge.
Also shown on this page is an aerial photo of St Eloi, taken after the British mines were detonated in 1916. The six craters are circled.
The two photographs on Page 17 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1.
The photographs were were taken over St Eloi, as defined by mapping coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. O. 8. A. The first photograph was taken on the 18th May 1917 and the second on the 3rd June 1917, 4 days before 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge at the start of the Battle of Messines.
6 Squadron Aerial Photos - St Eloi (South of Crossroads)
The two photographs on Page 21 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1.
The photographs were were taken over an area just to the south of the St Eloi crossroads, as defined by mapping coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. O. 2. D. The first photograph was taken on the 1st May 1917 and the second on the 4th June 1917, 3 days before 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge at the start of the Battle of Messines
6 Squadron Aerial Photos - Barrage East of St Eloi
The two photographs on Page 37 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1.
The photographs were taken to show the effect of the pre-bombardment allied barrage on German batteries east and south of St Eloi. The photographs were taken on the 3rd June 1917 4 days before the Battle of Messines, over map coordinates 28. O. 4. A and 28. O. 8. C.
6 Squadron Aerial Photos - Barrage at Hill 60 & St Eloi
The two photographs on Page 38 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1.
The photographs were taken to show the effectiveness of the pre-bombardment allied barrage on German batteries at Hill 60 and St Eloi. The photographs were taken on the 3rd June 1917 4 days before the Battle of Messines, over map coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. I. 35. A.
