9 August 1917 - Diksmuide sector

[xjouve]

Hi guys,

Well, I'm wondering if any of you have information about the multiple fights that took place over the Diksmuide sector in the morning of the 9th of August 1917.

Here's what I have:

- In Fonck's book:
-- N 103 led by Cne d'Harcourt escorted a group of Sopwith bombers
-- N 103 crossed the lines over Diksmuide at 3000m high and headed east 10km inside occupied territory
-- N 103 had a scratch against two groups of 16 Fokkers which tried to shot down the bombers
-- Seeing two already damaged Sopwiths (gunners killed, etc.) with 3 scouts on their tail, Fonck dived and shot 2 of these down, the first one in flames.

- In La Guerre Aérienne (1918) article: "Cigognes contre Tangos":
-- 8 Sopwith bombers of a French bombing squadron took off at 8:00 in the morning to bomb camps near the Houthulst Forest
-- They crossed the lines at 3000m high preceded by scouts of the Storks as an escort.
-- The French single-seaters, Guynemer included, attaked couple of enemy fighters far away in front of the bombers.
-- The Sopwiths were attacked by another group of German scouts, 8 Albatrosses painted with "tango" stripes...
-- Although, 6 of the 8 Sopwiths managed to come back home safely, the remaining 2 have been badly damaged.
-- "Cpl V..." and his gunner Sol Breton were the first to be attacked: 6 of the 8 German fighters maneuvered so that they were between the front lines and the French bombers, slightly under them, the ones behind the others, and followed the Frenchmen. 3 of them attacked, and then continued to another Sopwith flew by "Cpl L..." and Sol Vaillant. A fourth scout fired from above and headed for the other bomber as well, and a fifth one came from behind cruising at the same altitude and opened fire, using short bursts from very close range: "Cpl V..." received a bullet in his shoe, and another in his shoulder; both the rear and the front guns have been damaged, and Sol Breton has been hit by an incendiary bullet in one leg. "Cpl V..." managed to escape (probably looking OOC) and to land. But their plane has been severely damaged by about 80 bullets and the unfortunate Sol Breton died because of his wounds.
-- Then the Germans attacked "Cpl... L" and Sol Vaillant. The first attack was performed like this: 2 of them from a side of the two-seater and another one from behind. To continue, the Germans used another tactic, circling around the Sopwith, and fired at each opportunity. The French two-seater was hit several times and the gunner Sol Vaillant quickly killed. "Cpl... L" tried to escape, diving as fast as possible to allied territory but with enemy fighters following.
-- Fonck spotted the situation and dived as well to attack and shot down 2 German planes. A picture is given to illustrate: an unfortunate German airman dead in the wreckage of his plane (One of Fonck's victories?)

- In TFASWC
-- Adj-Chef Fonck claimed 2 Fokkers D between Bixchoote and Diksmuide, one at 8:15 and another at 9:10. He received credit for one of them, the other being considered as probable.
-- Cpl Yves Lautredou (OK) & Sol Gustave Vaillant (KIA) of Sop 108 were downed.
-- Cpl Roger Maillard -sic- (OK) & Sol Georges Breton (KIA) of Sop 108 were downed.
-- Adj Borde of N 65 got a victory confirmed over an EA at 7:10 over Klerken.

- In The Storks
-- Cne d'Harcourt led an escort flight over Diksmuide.
-- The bombers were attacked by a large group of German scouts.
-- Fonck spotted and attacked three single-seaters following a Sopwith and claimed one down in flames on his first diving pass. Confirmation has been given for a Fokker NW of Dixmude with registration number 8-12-17 12.382 (apparently confirmation was recorded on August the 10th as reported in the "Les Comptes Rendus des Activités et des Opérations Aériennes des Unités").

- In TJWC (in the supposed same area)
-- Ltn E Hess of Jasta 28 claimed a Sopwith 2 (zlg) at 7:50 over Neuve Eglise -which I believe is Nieuwkapelle SW of Diksmuide-
-- Ltn E Hess of Jasta 28 claimed a Rumpf DD (?!?; zlg) over Neuve Eglise
-- Ltn E Hess of Jasta 28 claimed a Spad at 10:35 over Passhendaele
-- Ltn M Müller of Jasta 28 claimed a Sopwith 2 (zlg) at 9:30 N of Ypres
-- Ltn W Güttler of Jasta 24 claimed a Sopwith 2 at 9:10 N of Eessen

- In "Journal de Marche de l'Escadrille Spa 26"
-- At 7:20, Slt Jeronnez patrolling the Houthulst Forest sector spotted an OOC plane about 10km east of Ypres which disappeared into the clouds. Another plane was flying over it.
-- At 8:19, Jeronnez saw white "flaks" at 3000m high over Diksmuide but didn't manage to see the enemy plane(s).
-- Moreover, Jeronnez saw two Germans deep into occupied territory on a line from Roeselare to Torhout.
-- At 7:20, a group of Spa 26 patrolling the Bikschote - Poperinge sector spotted an enemy plane climbing over the clouds in the "Langmark" -I guess, because this word is almost unreadable- region.
-- At 8:05, these pilots saw an Albatross scout east of Diksmuide encircled with AAF which disappeared under the clouds.
-- They reported huge allied activity.
-- At 7:20, Slt Letourneau flying at 5000m saw a plane going down E of Ypres from the German lines but wasn't able to follow it to the ground (the way it was written highly suggests that this plane was about to crash).
-- During his patrol (which ended at 8:59), he eventually saw a group of 7 to 8 enemy single-seaters that were heading north at 3800m over the east border of Houthuslt Forest in the direction of Diksmuide.

- In "Journal de Marche de l'Escadrille Spa 65"
-- At 6:40, Cne Lamy, Mdl Allez, Mdl Henriot and Bier Guillot were attacked by 6 Albatross scouts at 2000m between Staden and Houthulst Forest.
-- Under attack by 2 enemy fighters at 3000m, Cne Lamy suffered machine gun failure but was saved by a Mdl Guillot.
-- Mdl Guillot fired 5 ot 6 bullets before his guns jammed a first time. 2 other Germans were following and he has got hard times escaping. He managed to unjam, and to shot 2 times at one of his opponents before his guns jammed again.
-- Attacked by 2 scouts at 3100m, Mdl Henriot escaped by climbing and circling over his enemies.
-- At 7:10, during a 5000m high patrol, Borde, Ragaz et Schlax attacked a scout into a group of 8 Albatrosses between Houthulst Forest and Klerken. Borde fired about 50 bullets and asked for victory confirmation which was later given thanks to infantrymen (Added after August the 10th to Borde credit in "Les Comptes Rendus des Activités et des Opérations Aériennes des Unités").

- In "Les Comptes Rendus des Activités et des Opérations Aériennes des Unités"
-- 8 Sopwiths of S.108 bombed a camp N of Houthulst Forest
-- They were attacked by a group of enemy planes
-- 2 Sopwiths severely damaged: Sol-Mitrailleur Vaillant and Sol-Mitrailleur Breton KIA. Cpl-Pilote Vétillard WIA.
-- 2 probable victories over Belgium

Well, that's a lot of data; but not enough! It looks clear that many planes were flying on the morning of the 9 August over Diksmuide sector. I would be very glad if some of you have other stuff to share.