Lt. Wilhelm Gurke, Jasta 5.

[Putt Putt Maru]

Hi!

I'm looking for information about Lt. Wilhelm Gurke, Jasta 5. Any information about his pre-Jasta 5 military-career? Details of his death? Who shoot down him? Any photo?

Сheers!

[Raineranton]

Hello PPM,

I have only information from Jasta Pilots:

Born 11 July 1887 in Hochst (Höchst). Served in Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Nr. 92.
Before he went to Jasta 5 he served with FA(A) 263.
Jasta 5 from February 1918 till 10 March 1918, (KIA over Honnecourt).

Regards

[cukdul]

Hi,

There is a photo of him and his plane, in the Windsock datafile spécial of Jasta 5, volume 2

Cukdul

[alex_revell]

Putt putt maru,
Russ Gannon has some information for you, but at the moment he is undergoing a month's ban. This ran out a few days ago now, but as soon as he is allowed back on he will post the information you need on Gurke.
Regards
Alex

[Putt Putt Maru]

Originally Posted by Raineranton

Hello PPM,

I have only information from Jasta Pilots:

Born 11 July 1887 in Hochst (Höchst). Served in Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Nr. 92.
Before he went to Jasta 5 he served with FA(A) 263.
Jasta 5 from February 1918 till 10 March 1918, (KIA over Honnecourt).

Regards

Tnx!!!! What is known about his awards?

2 alex_revell

Ok


Maybe someone has this CD? I need profile from this CD.

[Raineranton]

Originally Posted by cukdul

There is a photo of him and his plane, in the Windsock datafile spécial of Jasta 5, volume 2

....and a profile of his Albatros DVa in Jagdstaffel 5 vol. one:

Albatros DVa, serial unknown, February - March 1918. Red-painted fuselage carries a white pentagram. Five-colour printed fabric covered the wings.

Regards

Rainer

[alex_revell]

As Russ Gannon is still banned, he's asked me to post this for him regarding your question about Gurke.

This is my take: The most likely contenders for downing him are:

62 Sqn - 6 Alb Sct claims in scrap 2 ARMEE sector - 5 OOC and one in flames by crew of Capt Hughes & Capt Claye. But as you will be aware with 62 Sqn claims this period have no time or loc deatals.

80 Sqn - Capt St Tayler Alb Sct crashed & Alb Sct OOC plus anoth Alb Sct OOC to a Lt Gardiner. Again no time loc but they lost 2Lt Flere pow to a Tripe which matches claim by Vfw Hemer Js 6. Which in turns brings 73 Sqn into mix who had 3 Triplane claims W Bohain 1415-1425 - same loc & time frame as Js 6 claim. Certain one of 73 Sqn's claims reflects Uffz Beschow of Js 6 wia.

My feeling is all these were in same show - a combined 62 Sqn, 73 Sqn & 80 Sqn sweep around Bohain which drew in Js 5 (Alb Scts) and Js 6 (Tripes).

Russ

[Putt Putt Maru]

2 Russ Gannon

Many tnx!!!! Very intresting!

[Graeme]

Communiqué number 130 isn't much help, it simply says -

"Capt M Le Blanc-Smith, 73 Squadron, shot down a Fokker Triplane which was reported to crash. Capts G F Hughes and H Claye, 62 Squadron, shot down an Albatros scout in flames.

"EA were shot down out of control by the following: 2nd Lt D Gardiner, 80 Squadron, Capt St C C Taylor (sic), 80 Squadron (two); Lts C W Robinson & C D Wells, 62 Squadron (two); Capts G F Hughes & H Claye, 62 Squadron, 2nd Lt C Allen & Lt J M Hay, 62 Squadron, 2nd Lt M H Cleary & Lt N T Watson, 62 Squadron."

As ar as I can work out, RFC claims were -

No 62 Sqn:

2nd Lt C Allen + Lt J M Hay, EA out of control
2nd Lt M H Cleary + Lt N T Watson, EA out of control
Capt G F Hughes + Capt H Claye, Albatros scout in flames
Capt G F Hughes + Capt H Claye, Albatros scout out of control
Lt C W Robinson + Lt C D Wells, EA out of control
Lt C W Robinson + Lt C D Wells, EA out of control

No 80 Sqn:

Capt St C C Tayler, 2 EA out of control 14:15 Bohain - Ribemont
Lt D Gardiner, EA out of control 14:15 Bohain - Ribemont (some sources suggest he made claims for two EA)

No 73 Sqn:

Capt M Le Blanc Smith, Fokker DrI crashed 14:15 west of Bohain
2nd Lt G S Hodson, Fokker DrI in flames 14:25 west of Bohain

Casualties were:

2nd Lt C H Flere, 80 Sqn, Pow (Vfw Franz Hemer, J6, 3rd victory)
Ltn d R Wilhelm Gürke, Jasta 5, Kia over Honnecourt
Uffz Paul Beschow, Jasta 6, Wia, shot in the upper left thigh and to hospital.

Bohain-en-Vermandois is about 10 miles south-east of Honnecourt-sur-Escaut, so the times and locations are not too far apart.

As Russ might say, a bit of a brawl. Obviously multiple claims for the same machines.

Graeme

[Raineranton]

According to Neal W O'Connor's Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany Vol. IV, where on page 155 is a picture of Lt. Wilhelm Gürkes funeral, he (O'Connor) stated that Gürke was shot down in flames.....

Regards

Rainer