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Old 10 July 2017, 09:30 PM   #9
R Gannon
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 6,121

 
10 Naval & 20 Sqn vs Jasta 11 & more

Quote:
Lt D C Cunnell + 2nd Lt A E Woodbridge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq at 10:30/11:30 - Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, Jasta 11, Wia,
Lt D C Cunnell + 2nd Lt A E Woodbridge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq at 10:30/11:30
Lt D C Cunnell + 2nd Lt A E Woodbridge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq at 10:30/11:30
Lt D C Cunnell + 2nd Lt A E Woodbridge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq at 10:30/11:30
Lt C R Richards + Lt A E Wear, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq at 10:30/11:30

An Offensive Patrol of 20 Squadron engaged about 30 Albatros scouts in several formations. The EA came much closer than usual and attacked keenly. Captain D C Cunnell & Lt A E Woodbridge drove down four of their opponents out of control. 2nd Lts C R Richards & R E Wear also drove down one EA scout out of control. All our machines returned safely

Flt Sub-Lt W M Alexander, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Deűlémont at 11:00/12:00
Flt Sub-Lt E V Reid, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Deűlémont at 11:00/12:00
Flt Lt R Collishaw, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Deűlémont at 11:00/12:00
Flt Sub-Lt W M Alexander, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Deűlémont at 11:00/12:00

Flt Lt R Collishaw, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin at 11:10/12:10 - driven down
Flt Lt R Collishaw, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin at 11:10/12:10 - driven down
Flt Lt R Collishaw, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin at 11:10/12:10 - driven down
Flt Lt R Collishaw, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin at 11:10/12:10 - driven down
Flt Lt R Collishaw, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin at 11:10/12:10 - driven down

2nd Lt W Durand (Ok) & Lt S F Trotter (Wia; dow), 20 Sqn, FE2d A6419 – took off 09:53/10:53 then force landed 1 Sqn after engagement with EA on offensive patrol 10:30/11:30
The above is a much celebrated combat, in which a 6 strong 20 Sqn OP was first attacked by a formation of 8 EA scouts (Js 11) joined by many more - numbers given as between 30 & 40 EA. Four 10 Naval Triplanes also joined the fray. 2Lt Durrand & Trotter also Drove Down an Albatros scout. Whilst Collishaw thought he saw one of Alexander's EA crash.

No doubt there was a fair amount of duplication in the British claiming, but also one must recognise that many a German machine would quit fights when things got a little hot.

Popular wisdom has it that Js 11's Brauneck & Niederhoff followed MvR down, but one might ask as to whether they follow him down because their machines took hits????

There is a cold case theory that MvR was hit from behind, but I would not put too much weight on that. Anyone who has experienced the supersonic crack of a bullet just over ones head will known the involuntary action is to duck, indeed to bury ones head between ones shoulder blades.

Russ

PS contested claims noted in the original JG I KTB demonstrates time and again that more than one JG I Jasta were involved in a great many of their combats.
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