2/Lt. Arthur Mostyn Wray 29 Sqn 13 May 1917

tcrean7828 · 20 May 2016, 07:58 PM

Mates,

Any idea as to which Nieuport Ser. Nr. he was flying on this date, how many air victories he had and why is there so little info on this day's actions

thanks in advance

tom

Graeme · 21 May 2016, 01:27 AM

Hi Tom

Haven't got a note of Wray (or anyone else in 29 Squadron) claiming anything on 13 May 1917, but the previous day he claimed an Albatros scout whilst flying Nieuport 23 B1577; this is reported in RFC Communique number 88 under the date of 13 May - a patrol of 29 Squadron met eight Albatros scouts. Lt A M Wray attacked one at close range and followed it down, firing until it crashed.

Also on 12 May, but not reported in the Communique, 2nd Lt J D Atkinson flamed a balloon whilst flying Nieuport 23 B1584 and Lt W V Sherwood claimed an Albatros scout out of control whilst flying Nieuport 17 A6658.

As far as I know, his only other victory was another Albatros scout, claimed on 20 May (great day!) 1917, in Nieuport 17 A6658.

He was wounded on 28 May 1917 and did not return to flying duties until after the RAF had been formed.

He was awarded the Military Cross (Gazetted on 16 August 1917), the citation reading:

2nd Lt. Arthur Mostyn Wray, E. Kent R. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on an offensive patrol he attacked a hostile two-seater at close range. He was at once severely wounded, and although his thigh was fractured and his machine fell several thousand feet, out of control, he managed to obtain control again and effected a safe landing. He has previously done splendid work.

Graeme

tcrean7828 · 21 May 2016, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme

Hi Tom

Haven't got a note of Wray (or anyone else in 29 Squadron) claiming anything on 13 May 1917, but the previous day he claimed an Albatros scout whilst flying Nieuport 23 B1577; this is reported in RFC Communique number 88 under the date of 13 May - a patrol of 29 Squadron met eight Albatros scouts. Lt A M Wray attacked one at close range and followed it down, firing until it crashed.

Also on 12 May, but not reported in the Communique, 2nd Lt J D Atkinson flamed a balloon whilst flying Nieuport 23 B1584 and Lt W V Sherwood claimed an Albatros scout out of control whilst flying Nieuport 17 A6658.

As far as I know, his only other victory was another Albatros scout, claimed on 20 May (great day!) 1917, in Nieuport 17 A6658.

He was wounded on 28 May 1917 and did not return to flying duties until after the RAF had been formed.

He was awarded the Military Cross (Gazetted on 16 August 1917), the citation reading:

2nd Lt. Arthur Mostyn Wray, E. Kent R. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on an offensive patrol he attacked a hostile two-seater at close range. He was at once severely wounded, and although his thigh was fractured and his machine fell several thousand feet, out of control, he managed to obtain control again and effected a safe landing. He has previously done splendid work.

Graeme

Mates,
Thanks for the info

tom

Airshipped · 22 May 2016, 04:18 AM

On 13 May 1917 No.29 Squadron suffered 2 losses - both PoWs.

Sgt W.H. Dunn - Nieuport (A6665)
2/Lt A.M. Sutherland - Nieuport (B1567)

Some sources suggest that both were Nieuport 17s, others that Sutherland's was a Nieuport 23.

I definitely photographed part of 29 Squadron's ORB for May 1917 but can't seem to find it at present. (There are several parts to the file as far as I recall, including a wonderful 'efficiency reports' folder - which addresses the question of 'technically' deficient and the 'temperamentally' deficient pilots. In some cases the decision to send someone home appears to have been taken with greater consideration than others). Anyway, I digress.

Looking at the combat reports it'd appear that C.B. Chapman, the OC, was fairly parsimonious with awarding claims: every second report in June appears to regard the outcome as 'indecisive', (including a few of his own on 5 and 6 June 1917). However,there'd appear to have been spells in May/June 1917 Briggs was acting OC, and de Crespigny was OC in early May 1917.

Wray's Combat Reports as follows:

20 May 1917, 12:30pm, Nieuport (B1577), escort, 8000 ft, between Douai and Cambrai. "9 Albatross Scouts - V Type"
Narrative
Having lost our escort I went with some Bristol Fighters escorting F.E.'s to Douai and Cambrai.
Half way between Douai and Cambrai we were attacked by 9 Albatros Scouts.
I engaged and crashed one, his wings falling off as he went down. I engaged another but failed to bring him down. I fired about 50 rounds at the first at close range, and 40 at the second, also at close rane.
I then came home with 2 Bristol Fighters.
Summary.
1 H.A. crashed by 2/Lt Wray, and one driven off.
One combat decisive.
One combat indecisive.

//From what I can see in other 29 Sqdn CRs it'd appear that the escort Wray lost was a flight of 11 Squadron, and that 2/LT J.M. Leach (A6798) had 2 indecisive combats - at Douai and over Vitry. Also, 2/Lt J.D. Atkinson (B1584) managed 3 indecisive driven down/driven down damaged as part of that same series of actions in escorting 11 Squadron. And Lt W.B. Sherwood (B1577) managed 2 indecisive combats, but he witnessed 2/Lt A.S. Shepherd (B1504) send one down in flames. Lt A.W.B. Miller (B1506) experienced a gun stoppage in the encounter, and is recorded as having 2 indecisive combats. In addition to Shepherd's kill he also drove down damaged in separate incidents, including one near Douai, where he witnessed an F.E. brought down.

Wray's next CR.
19 May 1917 Nieuport Scout (B1577). Balloon attack, 6:45 am, at 6,000 ft. Locality: O.18.C.
Narrative
While on balloon attack I crossed lines at about 6,000 ft, and flew down towards hostile balloon in O.18.C.
Hostile balloon was at about 4,000 ft, and I dived on it and fired about one drum of Buckingham.
I did not set balloon on fire, but drove it down and saw Observers jump out with parachutes.
Summary.
2/Lt Wray drove down one hostile balloon.
One combat - indecisive.

//From what I can see Atkinson, Shepherd and Rose also attacked balloons, but ended up engaging enemy aircraft too. A series of indecisive encounters.

Wray's next CR.
13 May 1917 Nieuport (B1577), at 8:20 pm, offensive patrol at 8,000 ft.
Narrative
While on Offensive Patrol at about 8.20 pm I saw 6 H.A. going N over our lines. We were going S and both parties turned E.
Our leader dived on nearest HA and I followed. I fired about two drums altogether, chiefly at close range.
I engaged a second H.A. and he made off E at once.
I then engaged a third H.A., who dived and turned E.
I changed drums and dived on a fourth H.A. I fired 80 rounds and he dived. I followed him to 3,000 ft. I saw my tracers entering his fuselage.
2/Lt Leach confirms the 4th H.A. crashed.
Anti-aircraft also confirm 4th H.A. crashed.
Summary.
2/Lt Wray drove down 3 H.A. and crashed a 4th.
3 combats indecisive.
1 combat decisive.

R Gannon · 22 May 2016, 02:51 PM

Excellent stuff. Really refreshing when people share information. Sadly there are some Forumites who seem not to be possessed of such generous spirit.

Cheers Russ

tcrean7828 · 23 May 2016, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airshipped

On 13 May 1917 No.29 Squadron suffered 2 losses - both PoWs.

Sgt W.H. Dunn - Nieuport (A6665)
2/Lt A.M. Sutherland - Nieuport (B1567)

Some sources suggest that both were Nieuport 17s, others that Sutherland's was a Nieuport 23.

I definitely photographed part of 29 Squadron's ORB for May 1917 but can't seem to find it at present. (There are several parts to the file as far as I recall, including a wonderful 'efficiency reports' folder - which addresses the question of 'technically' deficient and the 'temperamentally' deficient pilots. In some cases the decision to send someone home appears to have been taken with greater consideration than others). Anyway, I digress.

Looking at the combat reports it'd appear that C.B. Chapman, the OC, was fairly parsimonious with awarding claims: every second report in June appears to regard the outcome as 'indecisive', (including a few of his own on 5 and 6 June 1917). However,there'd appear to have been spells in May/June 1917 Briggs was acting OC, and de Crespigny was OC in early May 1917.

Wray's Combat Reports as follows:

20 May 1917, 12:30pm, Nieuport (B1577), escort, 8000 ft, between Douai and Cambrai. "9 Albatross Scouts - V Type"
Narrative
Having lost our escort I went with some Bristol Fighters escorting F.E.'s to Douai and Cambrai.
Half way between Douai and Cambrai we were attacked by 9 Albatros Scouts.
I engaged and crashed one, his wings falling off as he went down. I engaged another but failed to bring him down. I fired about 50 rounds at the first at close range, and 40 at the second, also at close rane.
I then came home with 2 Bristol Fighters.
Summary.
1 H.A. crashed by 2/Lt Wray, and one driven off.
One combat decisive.
One combat indecisive.

//From what I can see in other 29 Sqdn CRs it'd appear that the escort Wray lost was a flight of 11 Squadron, and that 2/LT J.M. Leach (A6798) had 2 indecisive combats - at Douai and over Vitry. Also, 2/Lt J.D. Atkinson (B1584) managed 3 indecisive driven down/driven down damaged as part of that same series of actions in escorting 11 Squadron. And Lt W.B. Sherwood (B1577) managed 2 indecisive combats, but he witnessed 2/Lt A.S. Shepherd (B1504) send one down in flames. Lt A.W.B. Miller (B1506) experienced a gun stoppage in the encounter, and is recorded as having 2 indecisive combats. In addition to Shepherd's kill he also drove down damaged in separate incidents, including one near Douai, where he witnessed an F.E. brought down.

Wray's next CR.
19 May 1917 Nieuport Scout (B1577). Balloon attack, 6:45 am, at 6,000 ft. Locality: O.18.C.
Narrative
While on balloon attack I crossed lines at about 6,000 ft, and flew down towards hostile balloon in O.18.C.
Hostile balloon was at about 4,000 ft, and I dived on it and fired about one drum of Buckingham.
I did not set balloon on fire, but drove it down and saw Observers jump out with parachutes.
Summary.
2/Lt Wray drove down one hostile balloon.
One combat - indecisive.

//From what I can see Atkinson, Shepherd and Rose also attacked balloons, but ended up engaging enemy aircraft too. A series of indecisive encounters.

Wray's next CR.
13 May 1917 Nieuport (B1577), at 8:20 pm, offensive patrol at 8,000 ft.
Narrative
While on Offensive Patrol at about 8.20 pm I saw 6 H.A. going N over our lines. We were going S and both parties turned E.
Our leader dived on nearest HA and I followed. I fired about two drums altogether, chiefly at close range.
I engaged a second H.A. and he made off E at once.
I then engaged a third H.A., who dived and turned E.
I changed drums and dived on a fourth H.A. I fired 80 rounds and he dived. I followed him to 3,000 ft. I saw my tracers entering his fuselage.
2/Lt Leach confirms the 4th H.A. crashed.
Anti-aircraft also confirm 4th H.A. crashed.
Summary.
2/Lt Wray drove down 3 H.A. and crashed a 4th.
3 combats indecisive.
1 combat decisive.

Mate,
Outstanding information and thank you for passing it on.

tcrean7828

tom