A Bad Day for Jasta 10

[Craig]

On 25 September 1917, five Jasta 10 pilots encountered a trio of British fighters. The leader of this trio, covered by his comrades, proceeded to shoot down two of the Germans - Weigand and Werkmeister. In his diary, Rudenberg states that the Brit was an excellent pilot and marksman.

The Germans were flying Pfalz D.III machines, silver with yellow noses and struts.While I’ wouldn’t be surprised if there were British claims for, oh, fifteen or twenty Pfalz that day, were there any verified claims? I’d like to know who this hot shot was.

Thanks
Craig

Hi Craig,
It looks like the RFC pilot was 2Lt.L.M.Barlow,56 Sqn. There is an extensive extract on pages 140-141 of "The Royal Flying Corps Communiques 1917-1918" describing the fight and naming the two German pilots to whom you refer.
Barlow scored 20 victories over five months at the front and won the MC and 2 bars.

[Craig]

Firstly, thanks, Terry. Never heard of him before, but I've certainly heard of his posse.

I don't have that book. Any chance of an excerpt?

Thanks

Craig,

Leonard Monteagle Barlow born 5 june 1895 in Islington, London. Trained as electrical engineer. Joined RFC at age 18
posted to 56 sqdn after training. Proved himself to be outstanding pilot. Known as the *"Gadget King" arranged Vickers and Lewis gun to fire from same trigger. *During 5 months in combat earned MC and 2 bars. Killed 5 feb 1918 testing Sopwith Dolphin at Martlesham Heath when a/c broke up and caught fire at 150 feet. Buried 3 days later Bardon Hill Cemetary.
Score: 12 and 1 shared destroyed. 6 and 1 shared O.O.C.

Info from Above the Trenches

I first thought he might be a Canadian as they were the best pilots and shots in the RFC (personal opinion)

* * *Les Damiers 8)

Craig,
The Communique excerpt is as follows:
The following account is given by 2nd Lt. L.M.Barlow, 56 Squadron, who destroyed three EA while on offensive patrol in the evening:
"As we were climbing towards the lines I saw an enemy two-seater over east end of Nieppe Forest at about 18000 feet being engaged by anti-aircraft which was bursting at about 11000 feet.I immediately signalled to the rest of the formation and opened my engine full out but was unable to catch the EA up, he then being about 5000 feet above us reaching the lines. I next saw about ten EA scouts coming south at about 16000 feet, so led the SE5 formation under the EA hoping to decoy them so that C Flight could engage them. The EA did not want to fight and immediately dived off east. I then turned west to regain height but lost the rest of the patrol for the time being.I then attacked slightly from above at about 12 to 13000 feet over Houthulst Forest, four EA scouts (two ordinary yellow-fuselage V-strutters and two Fokker biplanes).
I met the middle machine, a V-strutter, end on firing a big burst from both guns at him until only a few yards away. I zoomed and saw the EA going down in pieces and then burst into flames (this is confirmed by Capt.G.H.Bowman and Lt.R.Mayberry). At the top of the zoom I did a right-angle turn, then dived and finally met end on the Fokker biplane. I fired a good burst at him and he went down in a very slow but steep spiral, with smoke issuing from his tail. This EA was seen to crash by Lt.Mayberry. I then dived at the other V-strutter which was diving away east and fired a good burst at the EA from both guns at about 150 yards, but zoomed away as I saw more EA scouts diving on me from the east and above. The EA was seen to fall out of control and crash into the ground half a mile from the north-west corner of Houthulst Forest by Capt.Bowman."
Editor's note: Two of Barlow's victims were from Jasta 10 of the Richthofen Circus: Oberleutnant Weigand and Uffz.Werkmeister.

[Craig]

It appears that the first and third claims were the Jasta 10 pilots. Who was the pilot of the "Fokker biplane"? And what "Fokker Biplane" was in use in November 1917?

Oh, yes - thank you very much for posting that account!