Haubourdin Aerodrome — The RAF's Landmark Mass Air Attack

A Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a (L) and Sopwith Camel (R) on the Attack

The first massed low-level attack by the Royal Flying Corps on an enemy airfield was carried out on 16 August 1918, when 65 Royal Aircraft Factory SE5as, Sopwith Camels, Bristol Fighters, and de Havilland DH4s flown by Australian and British pilots attacked the German aerodrome at Haubourdin, located on the southwesterly outskirts of Lille, France. The raid was part of a campaign to reduce the concentration of airfields around Lille, which had been a German stronghold for nearly the entire war. The attacking aircraft carried  incendiary and explosive bombs and all the machine-gun ammunition it could carry.  No British aircraft were lost.

Damage to the Aerodrome During the Attack

The Post-Raid Communiqué 

“A raid was carried out on Haubourdin Aerodrome by Nos 88 and 92 Squadrons and 2nd and 4th Squadrons A.F.C. Sixty-five machines in all took part, dropping 136 25-lb and 6 40-lb bombs and firing a large number of rounds from a height varying from 400 to 50 feet. Three large hangars containing machines were completely burnt, and two machines standing outside were set on fire. Several fires were started in huts, and what is believed to be the officers’ mess was blown up and burnt. Several other hangars, in addition to those burnt, received direct hits. The station at Haubourdin was also attacked with machine gun fire from low height, causing confusion among the troops. Two staff cars were fired at, one of which upset in a ditch and another ran up a steep bank; the occupants were not observed to leave. A train was also shot at, which stopped. Considerable casualties were caused among personnel at the Aerodrome who were seen rushing take refuge in a hospital. All machines returned.”

Later review of the German war diaries suggest that Jasta 43 had five aircraft destroyed and two damaged and was grounded until 3 September. Jasta 63 also had one destroyed and a number of others damaged.

Sources: Royal Air Force Museum;  Wings, August 2015; HistoryNet