100 years ago (catching up, again part 2)

[Graeme]

31 August 1916:

Lt G P S Reid & Capt G Dixon-Spain, 20 Sqn, Fokker E driven down Boeschere at 08:55 – whilst on patrol, encountered and drove off several hostile aeroplanes, one of which appeared to be hit.

Lt R H Hood & Cpl J Meakin, 23 Sqn, HA out of control Bapaume at 10:15 – the morning bombing raid of the 3rd Brigade encountered a large formation of 10 or more German machines over the locality of Bapaume. The whole of our escort became engaged and four of the B.E.2s were enabled to fire as opportunity offered, but the escort completely prevented the enemy from molesting the bombers. As the result of this prolonged fight, one German machine was last seen in a vertical nose-dive out of control. This machine had been heavily engaged by Lt Hood, pilot, and Cpl Meakin, observer, of 23 Sqn and its uncontrollable attitude was confirmed by a number of pilots. At least two of the hostile machines were driven down and the whole formation scattered.

Capt G R M Reid & Lt L H Scott, 20 Sqn, Fokker D out of control Langemarck at 10:25 – had several indecisive engagements with hostile aircraft during an artillery patrol. Eventually they were attacked by a Fokker biplane which on four occasions dived at them, firing through the propeller. On the fourth occasion, the engine of the hostile machine was apparently hit. Clouds of blackish smoke came from the machine which dived steeply and was not seen to flatten out, although it made several unsuccessful attempts to do so.

Capt A M Wilkinson, 24 Sqn, Roland C crashed near Villers at 11:00
Capt A M Wilkinson, 24 Sqn, LVG C out of control High Wood at 11:30 – machines of the 4th Brigade had a number of successful engagements with hostile aircraft. Capt Wilkinson and 2nd Lt Capon observed 11 hostile aircraft attacking three F.E.s and some B.E.12s near Grevillers, but the De Havillands were underneath. Climbing, Capt Wilkinson attacked the nearest, a Roland, which was engaged with an F.E. He fired 50 rounds at some 60 yards’ range and the HA, leaving the F.E., dived east under the De Havilland. Capt Wilkinson followed, but was attacked from behind by another Roland. This he succeeded in out-manoeuvring by climbing upwards, finally getting on the HA’s tail and firing 40 rounds at 80 yards. The HA dived almost vertically and was afterwards seen on the ground near Villers.

Lt Capon, diving at a Roland, was shot through the leg below the knee; he finished off his drum at close range and returning, landed successfully at Chipilly.

Three more rolands approached to attack, but Capt Wilkinson climbed and they made off east as soon as he reached their height. Later, Capt Wilkinson saw an LVG approaching High Wood. He dived, keeping to a flank and when within 70 yards, turned onto the HA’s tail. At this moment he was fired on from behind but continued his attack on the LVG, under heavy fire from four Rolands, firing 50 rounds at about 20 yards’ range. The LVG dived almost vertically nder the De Havilland and probably crashed, but Capt Wilkinson had to turn to meet the attack from behind.

Capt F E Goodrich, 60 Sqn, LVG C out of control Vaux Wood at 11:45

Capt I H D Henderson, 19 Sqn, Scout destroyed Havrincourt Wood at 16:30 – the 5th Brigade had a considerable number of combats, all indecisive. During the bombing raid on Bois de Havrincourt by 19 Sqn, Capt Wilkinson [sic] observed six hostile machines attacking two of ours and at once returned to their help and soon brought down one of the hostile machines apparently out of control with the observer hanging out over the side. One of our pilots having been hit [2nd Lt S W Carline] and another having both guns out of action, the three proceeded towards our lines, Capt Henderson endeavouring to ward off attacks from the remaining five of the enemy.

Lt P A Langan-Byrne, 24 Sqn, HA forced to land near Bapaume at 18:00 – attacked and drove down a damaged hostile machine near Bapaume.

Lt A Ball, 60 Sqn, Roland crashed south-east of Bapaume at 18:30
Lt A Ball, 60 Sqn, Roland forced to land south-east of Bapaume at 18:30 – encountered a formation of 12 Rolands near Cambrai. He climbed and getting to the rear of the formation, dived in amongst them, firing one drum. The formation was broken up and Lt Ball then got under the nearest machine and fired one drum at 15 yards’ range under the pilot’s seat, causing the machine to plunge to earth south-east of Bapaume. Shortly afterwards, some more hostile aeroplanes came up in formation. Lt Ball attacked one which went down and landed in a gap between two woods south-east of Bapaume. Several other machines were engaged with indecisive results and having expended all his ammunition, Lt Ball returned.

Lt J D Latta, 60 Sqn, LVG C out of control Bapaume at 18:45 – attacked one of a group of about 8 LVGs. The machine side-slipped and went down in a spin, falling near Bapaume.

That brings the number of enemy machines claimed as shot down since the beginning of the war to 343. At least 18 were claimed before the first RFC Communique was produced, so details are generally lacking; however, at least six of these resulted in confirmed German casualties. 102 do not appear in the Communiques but are mentioned in combat reports, Sqn diaries etc.

Well, that's numbed the tips of my (two) typing fingers. I'll try to get September's data typed up and posted asap.

Graeme

[James A. Pratt III]

errata: from CGAS Uffz Willy Johnke FAA221 WIA unit was with either the German 1st or 2nd armies.

[R Gannon]

FAA 211 - good point, but without a location, let alone a time and an exact cause, were are again thrashing about in the near dark. One of the three LVG claims by 24 & 60 Sqn are the most likely candidates.

Cheers Russ