Balloons at Aden, WW1 - a query

[Neil Williams]

Folks

I'm seeking to go a little deeper into this cover. I was initially dubious as to why a local cover should be marked 'On Active Service' and be franked massively at 6annas to go a couple of miles. However I found the RFC/RAF records of Knights' on line and indeed he was in the Middle East and with 57 (Kite) Balloon Section at the time of this cover. So I suspect he's sent it to himself for philatelic purposes.

I can't find #57 in my 'library', but did find 55 & 56 which were part of 6 Balloon Wing HQ'd in Egypt at this time, so I would guess 57 was as well. There are also a couple of photos on-line of kite balloons in Aden in 1917, and also a reference to 13 Kite Balloon Section of the RNAS being there in February 1917.

Questions: Does anybody have locations and dates for either or both of 57 Balloon Section RFC/RAF and 13 Kite Balloon section RNAS?

Neil W