Unit of loss on 24 Jan 17

[R Gannon]

Updating the printed wisdom.

On 24 Jan 17 Capt HA Wood & Lt AE McKay of 24 Sqn RFC forced a German 2-seater down in British lines near Flers at 1215BT (first engaged over Fins). It turned over landing, but none the less, the German crew were able to set fire to their machine - the remnants being accorded G 9. Now the present printed wisdom gives the crew as being Uffz M Delklock & Ltn E Bury, both pow, but the unit is not identified.

Now recently I have acquired copies of some British interrogation reports on captured German aviators; one by an NCO of FAA 239. No name or date is given, but information provided by the NCO talks about his FAA 239 arriving on the Somme in Aug 16 and that their patrol area was between the Somme and the Ancre. As Flers is within that patrol area, and I know of no other FAA 239 loss British side, I feel confident this was unit of the said downed machine.

Cheers Russ

[MattyBoy]

Hi Russ,
Great info. Continuing the subject of unknown units:-

Uffz Paul Pietsch is noted in CGAS as being killed on 01/6/1918 at Nivelles, Belgium. Unfortunately no unit is given.

I have seen an aerial photograph of FA A 217 dated 16/5/1918 where a Uffz Pietsch is noted, but the area being photographed is given as Dernancourt which is almost 160 kilometers from Nivelles.

If anyone knows where FA A 217 was based during these dates, it might help to determine if the Uffz Pietsch was serving in this unit when he died.

Of course he may have been transferred to a different squadron in the meantime...

[R Gannon]

Information at my disposal says FAA 217 was operating with 2 ARMEE summer and autumn of 1918. The location of Nivelles, and month of June strongly suggests this was not a combat casualty.

That is the best I can offer.

Cheers Russ

[MattyBoy]

Hi Russ,
Thanks a lot.