Action Over The Channel

I have yet to see much in the way of published accounts on combat action over the North Sea during WWI. Considering the large numbers of maritime aircraft that surely must have been conducting operations in this region, I'm surprised to see this glaring absence of data. Have any books appeared over the last 80 years that deal almost exclusively with the fighting that occurred in the skies over the North Sea, particularly the channel? Thus far I have only come across accounts of the British Home Defense actions against the Zepplins and Gothas that raided England. A few German bombers were brought down into the sea during these engagements and I believe a few Zepplins might have suffered this same fate as well.

What of the air-to-air battles that took place over the channel? Seaplanes were well-armed (at least in some models) and must have been for a good reason. Are there known to have been large or sustained combats offshore? Was it at all common for the RNAS to encounter hostile aircraft while patrolling out over the sea?

If a pilot brought down an aircraft over the sea, how did he obtain confirmation? The wreckage might float for a while but locating it later would certainly be trying. Furthermore, was it common practice to strafe warships or merchant ships from the sky?

[Barrett]

There were several combats over the North Sea in 1917-18, some involving as many as 6-8 aircraft. The Germans apparently had the best of these shooting matches, as their Hansa-Brandenberg floatplanes were capable machines, aggressively flown. The round figure of 300 abschusse is attributed to the Marine Flieger Korps, but the huge majority were scored by the five land-based jastas of Saschenberg's Marine Jagdgeschwader. Top seaplane score was made by Oblt Christiansen, with 13 victories between May 17 and July '18. An observer, Ltn z See Bonisch, got 5 confirmed flying with 3 pilots in 1916-17.
FYI: exactly this subject will feature prominently in "Duel Over Douai," the tentative title of the Great War novel currently being written by 3 members of this list. (Getting it published is an entirely different subject.)

Thanks for the info Barret. Do you know whether the Germans or allies actively searched out ships in this region for purposes of attack? I think I ran across some literature indicating this was done in the Gallipoli theater. U-Boat attacks were seemingly commonplace but I'm not sure whether pilots took to their guns when seeing an enemy warship or freighter.

Earlier this year there was still at least one pilot from the N. Sea op. theatre(he flew Shorts seaplanes I'm told)left in England. He had then just lost his motoring license... Old fighters never die they just slow down (for the police i this case!)

The British flew extensive North Sea patrols, mostly looking for U-boats (as I understand it). The British used flying boats and airships for the most part. The German North Sea actions were mostly designed to protect coastal facilities from attack. I think I have some information on this at home, but nothing comes to mind just now. (Of course, my suffering from a concussion probably has something to do with that...)

Further to earlier answers there were running battles in the NS are mainly between the a/c of Gt Yarmouth and Felixstowe and the GAF from Zeebruge. It is a "lost" campaign in that the Western Front gets all the glory. Read Diary of a North Sea Air Station by Gamble or The Spider Web, by Hallam which will give you chapter and verse. Its a fascinating conflict and the germans didn't have it all their own way. in fact until Christiansen came on the scene the German response was pretty pathetic. Even then they had a hard time. At the risk of having to remove a piece of my own clothing ( the penalty for advertising one's own work) you could also look at RNAS by ahem- Brad King.

Cheers, B

[Barrett]

Antishipping attacks were rare, or at least EFFECTIVE antishipping attack were rare. German seaplanes (Hansas and Gothas) apparently sank just 3 British vessels in the war, but that was more than the Brits sank. Another source is "Naval Aviation in the First WW" by RD Layman.

Shortly after the Gotha offensive ended the RFC initiated quite a prolonged bombing offensive on Germany. I believe these missions were flown primarly by Handley-Pages and DeHavilland bombers. Any information on where these bombers took off from? Did they fly across the channel from England or come out of bases in France? Did the French particpate in this bombing campaign as well?

I think you're talking about the Independent Air Force of the RAF. They flew from France I believe or maybe Belgium.
Jeni