100 years ago today - 16 September 1916

[Graeme]

Today's offering:

2nd Lt S E Cowan, 24 Sqn, Fokker DV? in flames Sailly-Saillisel at 10:15 – drove down one hostile machine enveloped in smoke and flames over Sailly Saillisel

2nd Lt J J Lynch + 2/AM Clarke, 3 Sqn, Aviatik C forced to land Guinchy at 17:40
2nd Lt J J Lynch + 2/AM Clarke, 3 Sqn, two-seater forced to land Guinchy at 17:40 - The Communique is somewhat vague, for under 16 September it is reported “By the combined action of English and French machines, two of the enemy’s aeroplanes were driven down and were seen to make forced landings near Bapaume” and under 17 September, it records “2nd Lt Lynch and 2 AM Clarke, 3 Sqn, forced an enemy machine to land near Bapaume" [I have nothing for 3 Sqn on 17 September]. I believe these two entries relate to the same event and that the location “Guinchy” is actually Ginchy, south of Bapaume.

Lt P A Langan-Byrne, 24 Sqn, Fokker DV? destroyed Achiet at 19:00

Casualties:

2nd Lt D Cushing (Pow), 2 Sqn, BE2c 4495 - brought down by Fokker during bombing Douai

2nd Lt C C Hayward (Doi) + 2nd Lt P J Smith (Doi), 18 Sqn, FE2b 6971 - fouled balloon cable [as reported in Communique number 54 – 2nd Lt L C Haywood and 2nd Lt P J Smythe, 18 Sqn, fouled the cable of 6 Kite Balloon Section. 2nd Lt Haywood was injured and 2nd Lt Smythe died of injuries. The kite balloon was cut adrift and the observer, Lt C E Cooper, was killed.

2nd Lt A L Pinkerton (Pow) + Lt J W Saunders (Pow), 11 Sqn, FE2b 6999 - seen to descend under control but emitting smoke west of Marcoing on reconnaissance [perhaps Ltn d R Otto Höhne, Jasta 2, 1st victory (?)]

2nd Lt A H Vinson (Ok) + Capt K A Brooke-Murray (Wia; Dow 23.9.16), 15 Sqn, BE2c 2617 – shot up in combat with 3 EA over Miraumont Station and forced to land at Albert

Graeme

[R Gannon]

Hi Graeme

I think the 2 Sqn loss reflects claim of Ostv Viereck of FAA5b / KEK III (soon to become Jasta 10) - BE at Cambrai. The extra RPS material on view in TSTBF II says Cushing (Can) reported being attacked by a Fokker and that he came down at Marcoing (just SW of Cambrai) - apparently he had no Lewis as it was supposed to have been a night bomb, but rain delayed take off until 0520.

The additional RPS details also sheds light on the first Albatros victory achieved by of Ltn Hohne of Js 2 (DI 390/16?). Most certainly 11 Sqn's 6999 - however, it would appear that their engine and propeller were damaged by Flak and they went down under control emitting smoke as reported by their fellow crews - the lame duck was then set upon by three HA and they were FTL crashing near Neuville.

Worth noting also is that Sgt JTB McCudden of 29 Sqn engaged an Albatros 2-seater E of Polygon Wood at 1830 driving it down to an FTL.

Cheers Russ

[James A. Pratt III]

Keep up the good work I have some more:

Fatalities:
KG 4 crew KIA by N103
Flg Fritz Bothe at Cambrai was in FFA 41 from my frontflieger.de notes. He could possibly be an RFC claim

other:
KG 3 had a crew POW at Amiems either RFC or a N62 FTL
Ltn dR Emil Schlemmer FFA6b was WIA this could be RFC caused

A major headache is with German fatalities in CGAS there is sometimes no unit. adding to the problem the list of WIAs is greatly incomplete. In looking through the Aviation Awards series there are mentions of German airmen getting WIA but no dates. The POW list is better but still could do with improvements