DH4 A7840 27 Sqdn shot down 23 May 1918

[Regulus]

Hi,

This plane crashed in the Maria Aalter area, and was photographed by a member of Kagohl VIIIB. Capt. Palfreyman was KIA and 2Lt Crawford got wounded in action and became a POW. Judging from the photo, it is possible indeed that he survived.

In TSTB it is said that Lt. Collin from Jasta 56 shot down D5616, a Dh9 from the same squadron, which seems to my opinion rather impossible. Am I standing alone on this point or do others agree that his victim was the DH4 ?

I am also wondering if the both planes were flying together or not, and if so if there were any other known claims that day that could explain the second loss...

Thanks and best from Johan

[Regulus]

Hi,

Come on now gentlemen ! Do we really know so little on this matter ? With so many experts here together ?

Johan

[Gregvan]

Hi Johan,

I'm certainly not an expert, but I'm great at quoting others' research!!

Most sources agree that Collin claimed what he called a Bristol at 0930 hrs on 23 May, which he said fell at Maria-Alter, SE of Brügge. I'll unashamedly steal from Rick Duiven's research, and tell you that his updated Jasta 56 listings agree with you that this was the DH4. In the The Jasta War Chronology Collin's victory is identified as the DH9 D5616, in "Over the Front" it is also identified as a DH9 from 27 Sqn.


The "DH4/DH9 File" by Ray Sturtivant and Gordon Page says for DH4 A7840: "Left 0610 for raid on Thourout, in combat with E.A., went into dive Maria Aeltre (sic) -Capt. AE Palfreyman killed and 2/Lt WI Crawford POW wounded.

For DH9 D5616, the same source says, "Left 0610, bombing raid on Maria Aeltre (sic), engine fell off. crashed Sains-lè-Pernes, wrecked. Lt GR French and Cpl F Y MacLauchlan both killed."

I would assume that these planes were both on the same raid, since they left at the same time. Since the report submitted by their squadron mates says that the DH4 fell after a combat with EA. and the DH9's engine simply fell off , I would agree with you that the DH4 was probably Collin's victory. As far as I can determine (leeching off Rick and my other sources again) Collin was only credited with one victory, and no one from Jasta 56 or any other units made significant claims in this area either.

I'm sure other here have more info than I do. I knew the DH9 could be a lousy airplane, but the engine falling off?? I wonder if FLAK made any claims.

Greg

[Regulus]

Originally Posted by Gregvan

Hi Johan,

I'm certainly not an expert, but I'm great at quoting others' research!!

Greg

Hi,

What coincidence ! So am I !

Seriously, if you're not one of the experts around, who is ?

Thank you very much for the reply and confirmation. I don't want to risk having written a stupid caption under the photo in my Kagohl book. Which is going to get finished very slowly !

Especially the eastern front gives me lot's of trouble.

Again, thanks and best from Johan

[Regulus]

Hi again,

Unfortunately I have no claims for the area for 1918, only part of 1917...

Best from Johan

[Regulus]

Hi,

Here's a photo of the crash :



With the previous message I meant that I do not have 1918 Flak claims...

Best from Johan