Quote:
Lt W M Fry, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Drocourt at 15:45/16:45
Maj A J L Scott, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Éterpigny at 16:30/17:30
Lt S B Horn, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Vitry - Belonne at 16:30/17:30
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Fry & Horn were part of a C Flight OP led by Capt WA Bishop which came across 2 Albatros scouts over Drocourt at 12,000ft. They dived on the 2 HA but Billy, who somehow lost his flight, would only later report an indecisive engagement with one of the 2 HA. Willy however on new machine B1503 was credited with an OOC.
Maj Scott had gone up alone to chase off a 2-seater which was ranging German guns on British heavy guns (wireless intercept), he chased this nearly to Douai but was then cut off by 6 HA scouts - he had to fight his way through these expending one and a half drums of Lewis (about 150rds). Amazingly, even though Scott made no actual claim, Billy confirmed one to have crashed in the long wood jutting SW from Eterpigny. The time was 1630, same time as the Horn claim. Was this Billy trying to get in good with the CO?
Lone wolf Billy would lay claim to a short fight with a single Albatros scout (as if one encountered Albatros scouts on their own!) and then going to the aid of 3 unspecified recon machines under attack from 6 HA. Funny coincidence that at 1630 a lone Lt K MacKenzie of 40 Sqn had gone to the aid of a 48 Sqn Bristol under attack from 5 HA scouts near Acheville (claim listed in Graeme list on 1 May 17) - caused one to go down and land, but it crashed in the attempt.
As always Billy inability to stay with his flight and subsequent lone hand unseen efforts must attract suspicion.
Russ