French balloon units west of Verdun, Sept 1918

[bjomanson]

On Sept 14, 1918, members of 33rd Division AEF, witnessed a French balloon shot down in flames from the village square of Fromereville. The event was recorded by two independent witnesses. One witness, Lt Will Judy, said the balloon was only about 300 yards from the village square. Both witnesses report that the German plane strafed the observer as he descended by parachute. Lt Judy reported that the German plane flew off and immediately shot down a second balloon.

The German pilot was most likely Unteroffizier Hans Heinrich Marwede, of Jagdstaffell 67, who was credited on Sept 14 with shooting down three balloons in a space of five minutes, at about 4:35 in the afternoon, southwest of Verdun. (Fromereville is just over 7 kilometers west of Verdun).

The French records show three balloons shot down in flames-- all probably by Uffz Marwede-- on Sept 14. Neither the location of the balloons nor time of their destruction is provided, but the units are identified, as well as the observer killed in each case. They are:

---1. S/Lt Boret of 25 Cie d'Aerostiers

---2. Adj Andre Lurcat of 30 Cie d'Aerostiers

---3. Cpl Guilbert of 31 Cie d'Aerostiers

If possible, I would like to identify the observer whose death by strafing was observed by the two witnesses from the 33rd Division. Of the three French balloon units listed above, can anyone tell me which was located closest to Fromereville?

Thanks very much.

BJ Omanson