In the beginning; No 49 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Dover, Kent, on 15 April, 1916 under the command of Major A.S. Barratt. The first eighteen months were spent as an aircrew training unit equipped with B.E.2c's and R.E.7's.
In November, 1917 the squadron re-equipped with D.H.4's and moved to La Bellevue aerodrome in France. Here the squadron was employed in the day-bomber role as part of the 3rd (Army) Wing. The first bombing raid was made on 26 November, 1917 when 8 D.H.4's were despatched to bomb Rieux; 4 aircraft bombed the primary target, 3 bombed Sailly instead and 1 completely aborted. No opposition was encountered on this occasion, but three days later the squadron ran into the Richthofen Circus and during the fight one squadron aircraft was lost.
Counter-battery photography started in January 1918, when formations of about seven machines were sent over the enemy lines; 3 carried cameras and the others acted as escorts.
During the German advance the squadron did a good deal of low bombing to check the breakthrough of the enemy.
At the end of March, No 49 Squadron moved up to the Dunkirk area, where they re-equipped with D.H.9 aircraft. Raids were made on Thourout, Ostend, Zeebrugge and Bruges. Eventually the squadron moved south again and in June, from Fourneuil, near Beauvais, it was engaged in intensive low-flying attacks on ground targets as well as long-distance bombing raids. In one week, from 10 to 17 June, the squadron shot down seventeen enemy aircraft.
In July a move was made to the French front, but the squadron was soon returned to the British front in August in anticipation of a counter-offensive on the Somme, and once more was detailed for low-level bombing. This work so depleted the squadron that Nos. 49 and 27 Squadrons had to join forces and go over the lines in one formation. Until the Armistice the squadron was therefore engaged in high-altitude day bombing in the face of intensive opposition. Many successful raids were made on important objectives, and many enemy aircraft were destroyed.
The squadron’s last operational mission in World War One was 10 November, 1918 (pm) when 7 D.H.9's bombed Charleroi junction. During its eleven months or so of active service, No.49 Squadron dropped 120 tons of bombs, destroyed 56 enemy aircraft and drove down another 63 out of control; its pilots and observers won the following decorations - 10 DFC's, 4 Croix de Guerre, 1 DFM and 1 Meritorious Service Medal.
In May, 1919, the squadron was posted to Bickendorf, Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. Post-war disarmament led to its disbandment on 18 July, 1919.
| HONOURS AND AWARDS - 1917 |
| Capt G. Fox-Rule |
D.F.C. |
Capt H.I. Rough |
D.F.C. |
| Capt C. Bowman |
D.F.C. |
Lt V. Dreshfield |
D.F.C. |
| Lt E.H. Tredcroft |
D.F.C. |
|
| Major B.S. Benning |
Croix de Guerre |
|
| Capt G. Fox-Rule |
Croix de Guerre |
|
| HONOURS AND AWARDS - 1918 |
| 2/Lt P.T. Holligan |
D.F.C. |
2/Lt W.A. Owens |
D.F.C. |
| Lt A.R. Spurling |
D.F.C. |
2/Lt E.A. Simpson |
D.F.C |
| Sgt F.W. Bell |
D.F.M |
Lt L.A. Keating (USAS) |
D.F.C. |
| Sgt F.L. Roberts |
Croix de Guerre |
|
| Capt F.W. Lowen |
Croix de Guerre |
|
|
