An artful trap in Palestine

[Intrepid]

90 years ago today....

" On August 3rd, the enemy laid an artful trap " . So wrote F.M. Cutlack in "The Australian Flying Corps in the Western and Eastern Theatres of War 1914-1918".

The previous day, a reconnaissance patrol from No. 1 Sqdn had reported a German aircraft abandoned on the ground near Beersheba.It was still on the ground on the morning of the 3rd . Four aircraft armed with bombs and two escorts were sent out to destroy the target.

When the bombers descended to attack the German machine , they saw that the supposed aircraft was a dummy.

The Australians promptly grasped the situation and immediately began climbing upwards to meet the expected attack.

It came from out of the sun. Cutlack says two scouts. These could be the two Albatros D.3 scouts that F.A. 300 had on strength. They could also have been one (possible two ) Fokker E.III scouts or a Pfalz E. II scout that were still listed on F.A. 300 operational strength at this time.

The Rumpler C.1,which was the main F.A. 300 aircraft was a small maneuverable two seat aircraft that was also more than a match for the ancient B.E. 2 ( c and e ) and Martinsyde G.100 aircraft the Empire forces were equipped with.

This would soon change , as the fighter squadron, No. 111 RFC had just been formed on August 1, 1917 and was under the command of Major Alexander Shekleton.

The Germans did not enjoy their advantage for long for the two Australian
escorts were quickly on them. After some hot exchanges the Germans broke off for home.