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WW1 RAF Logbook entries?

Hi all

Something a bit different but maybe of interest to a few. I attach 4 images from a WW1 observer's logbook. He served with 9 Sqdn, flying in R E 8s (the "Harry Tate" I'm told).

My question is for some clever person to explain some of the abbreviations used.

I think that "CAP" is Combat Air Patrol as this was used in WW2 but what is "N F" or "M Q N F"?

I wondered about Night Flying but...

Any other suggestions welcome...

I've looked on that great site "airhistory" but can't find the answer.

Artillery to the rescue ! :D

From Artillery Notes No 9.

Quote:

D.—Neutralization

The necessary neutralization scheme must, of course, be prearranged. If flying is possible, all active hostile batteries will be reported under the NF (or WPNF) and those ceasing to fire under the NT call (see S'. S. 131, para. 29 (i.) (&) ), so that fire can gradually be concentrated on those batteries which are
actually firing. After the attack every effort must be made to resume prearranged shoots as early as possible, “MQNF” and “ANF” calls being
employed to supplement the work.

https://www.bulletpicker.com/pdf/ODN...s%20No%209.pdf

From Field Artillery Notes No1. - Page 69

Quote:

19. Signals in use—The following codes will be used:
(i) Aeroplane to artillery—wireless or lamps.

Guns firing in position at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . - - . . - NF

Stop firing or wait- - . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - MQ

http://www.314th.org/numbered-docume...s-number-1.pdf

.

Hello Mike

Again you come up trumps! How are you? Much obliged. They were probably spotting for the Artillery so that would explain it.

There's another one there that might be "G N" so wonder if that is there.

There are a couple of entries such as "attacked by 2 Fokkers, drove off with fire" and then the actual count of rounds fired!

How are you?

Found an example on the same site :

Quote:

Examples:

(iii) Should the observer wish to observe for a particular battery whose call and position he knows, the target abbreviation will be preceded by the wait signal MQ. He is then free to call up and observe for the particular battery by squadron and battery call.

W B MQNF W6d24 = Guns in action at W.6.d.2.4 (observer is about to call up a particular battery).

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumdum (Post 601523)

There's another one there that might be "G N" so wonder if that is there.

Found these :

Quote:

Continue firing in your own time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G0

Fire for effect (fleeting opportunity signal) ............ . . GF

Graze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - GZ

.

Hi Mike

Many, many thanks for this! I would never have been able to locate this even with extended searching!

I'll go through the rest of the logbook and see if I can find any more examples.

I do know that the individual enlisted in the King's Own Liverpools from which he was transferred to the RFC as a Cadet.

The instructions of what he was to bring included gymnasium shoes (logical) and football boots! Maybe for the odd match with German pilots should he land over enemy lines....:D

Hi Mike

Thanks for the link to those publications. Goodness, what a lot for the poor pilot/ observer to retain to say nothing of the "arty" men on the ground.

Shows how little we know about how the war was conducted...

Thanks again!