Captured Friedrichshafen GIII in 1918

Regulus · 4 March 2003, 11:58 AM

Hi,

On the website of the BAHA is mentioned :
'In the night of 19/20 January 1918 a German Friedrichshafen G III landed in Belgian-held territory at Vinkem. It was transported to Houtem air base where the anti-aircraft gun damage was repaired and the German crosses replaced by the Belgian roundels.'

Originally the plane had a big white 4 on the fuselage and the serial number 180, also a roman II on top of the rudder, above the national marking.
It came back from a bombardment of Dunkirk. *All 4 crewmembers were taken POW. *It probably force landed at Bulskamp after an AA hit.

Can anyone tell me more ? *Seems this is all there is to find on the matter over here !

Thanks and best from Johan *

DaveF · 11 March 2003, 11:54 PM

There are photos of this bird - IIRC there is one in the Windsock Datafile on the GIII/IIIa.

Don't have access at present, but will look later

Regulus · 12 March 2003, 04:24 AM

Hi,

Indeed, there are even some on the BAHA website. I think it may be a bird of Kagohl 1 as I have seen similar markings on thier earlier birds.

Thanks and best from Johan

Soderbaum · 12 March 2003, 08:19 AM

Hi

The daily report in the NB(Nachrichtenblatt) from 19 Jan 1918 says that one G-a/c from BG I was missing.

Earlier in the War, KG I used Roman numbers like II to identify the specific Kasta.
If they hold the tradition this would mean Bosta 2 of BG 1...!

However I dont have the names of the crew..

:

Gunnar

Rick · 12 March 2003, 08:32 AM

Quote:

However I dont have the names of the crew..

Me neither. * *:'( * * R.

Regulus · 12 March 2003, 10:06 AM

Hi Gunnar,

Looks indeed that way as you mentioned. And Gunnar and Rick, if I get to the Evere archives I will give it another try on finding the names of the crew. It probably is somewhere in the archives, but question is where.
Will ask around with a few people over here to see if anyone can put me on the right track.
As you see there is already confusion on the place the plane landed. Not that both places are far away from eachother, but that can already be part of the problem.

Thanks and best from Johan

jempie · 19 March 2003, 05:34 AM

Johan!

Just get it under my eyes! (Consulting it for soemthing else!) Carnets de Vols n°21
Aerodrome de Hondschoote (France)
4ème Escadrille d'observation / "Zèbre" /
Cdt. A. Richard equiped with Spad S11A2
Remark is made! :
This unit was also equiped with a (repaired)Friedrichshafen GIII originally belonging to the base of GHENT- BOGHOL 3 which came down in the night of 19-20th Janurary near Vinkem!
But nothing is told in more!

VBR
Jean-Pierre

However seems plane to be from Boghol 3!

Regulus · 19 March 2003, 06:46 AM

Hi Jean Pierre,

Very interesting indeed ! So it remained in use with us Belgians ! Thank you very much !

Confusing thing are the markings on the plane, identical to the earlier ones of KG1 at Gistel, but there are indeed some references in Belgian texts, and you mention another one also that it should be BG 3. I think I really ought to get the material from the Belgian archives to see what they use as reference for this ! But ah so little time for the moment.

Best from Johan

edmondthieffry · 19 March 2003, 07:17 AM

Hi Johan,

P.M. Grosz in Windsock Datafile 65, p. 3, show clearly this aircraft : G.III 180/17 of Kampfstaffel 2 shot down over our country in Feb 18. *Next, seen with Belgian roundel an tested by the Allies.

Hope this help.

Regards

Philippe

Regulus · 19 March 2003, 10:46 AM

Hi Philippe,

Yes that most certainly helps, definitely proof that this was a BG1 bird !

Thanks you very much ! Now all that remains is to find the names of the crewmembers. Shouldn't be that difficult anymore !

Best from Johan