Taps

[PFFF]

photograph:
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/al...pictureid=2253

memorial:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/f...099050&df=all&

Squadron history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/148th_Aero_Squadron

Germain Claims?

[ONEALM]

A portion of my brief biography of Harry Jenkinson.



Two days later (20 September 1918), Jenkinson was again part of Lt. Elliot Springs' patrol when they again encountered a formation of Fokkers, this group from Jagdstaffel 27. Both flights climbed for altitude and advantage, but the D.VII's out climbed the Camels near Aubigny. One Fokker detached itself and attacked Jenkinson and immediately Springs returned the favor. Harry's rescue mission on early July was now being repaid as Springs fired a burst into the Fokker's center section. Smoke began issue just before the plane stalled and dropped into a slow spin.

Harry had escaped the first attack, but was now under attack by two more Fokkers. Springs again came in behind the Germans and attacked. Before he could dissuade Jenkinson's new attackers, two more Fokkers attacked and Harry's Camel burst into flames as Springs twisted himself out of the fight. Harry fell near Aubigny at 2:45 in the afternoon.

As is often the case with eyewitness accounts, even those who were participants had differing interpretations of the event. In 1966, portions of Ltn. Noltenius' journal were published in Cross and Cockade Journal Vol 7, #4. Noltenius' entry for 20 September was lengthy as he had multiple combats that day. Considering the afternoon action with the 148th Aero Squadron, Noltenius wrote:

We flew another patrol with Klimke (17 victory ace Leutnent. Rudolf Klimke, ed.) as leader. He was an excellent leader. At first we flew deep into enemy territory, over the enemy balloons.... The I saw several Staffeln overhead and recognized our four machines. On closer inspection, the other machines turned out to be Englishmen. We now played a nice little game with them. We kept approaching them rather closely while over there, but moved away smartly when they came too close. The one of them came too close and Klimke rushed into the attack, pursuing him downward. The fight ended when the Sopwith disappeared in the clouds. I had remained upstairs and kept a careful watch. Now I saw another Sopwith turn in our direction, planning to catch Klimke from the rear.

I attacked him head-on and shot well from this position. Thereupon he turned away, but not tightly enough. I positioned myself behind him and after aiming carefully, fired. Though the distance between us was nearly 400 meters, the plane broke into flames after a short burst. It carried two pennants.(12th confirmed victory) We then flew home. With five machines we had thus kept in check at least twenty Englishmen who had been overhead, below, or at the same level with us; and I had shot down a pennant-man.


Springs later remarked the German pilots were "..very good", and he was right. Jasta 27 was peppered with aces. Friedrich Noltenius earning credit for downing Lt. Jenkinson as his 12th victory. He had scored earlier that morning too when he downed another Camel for his 11th. This German squadron was a nemesis to New Jersey pilots, claiming no fewer than three New Jersey natives before war's end.

Following his loss, the Commanding Officer of the 148th wrote to Harry's mother. This excerpt was published in the local newspaper account detailing Harry's loss.


Your son, Lieutenant Harry Jenkinson, Jr., lost his life in an aerial combat on the afternoon of September 20. His flight commander (Elliot Spring, ed.) has written you the details of the splendid fight he made and of his full record in th Squadron. As his Squadron Commander, I can assure you that we are all very proud of the great work he did and we feel his loss most keenly, not only as a pilot, but as a congenial companion.

I'm sure the knowledge that "Jenk" fought the good fight to the very last will be of some comfort to you. I wish i could send you more but you have all my sympathy on your great loss though I don't feel that the mother of a man who has done his duty as fearlessly and well as your son did needs sympathy from anyone.



Lt. Field Kindley another of the 148th's fligth commanders and Jenkinson's tent mate wrote to one of Harry's cousins, then living in England. Kindley and Jenkinson shared the same tent. Kindley would finish the war with 12 confirmed victories and had compiled eight of those by 20 September.



My dear friend, Lieut. Harry Jenkinson, has been missing for a number of days and as best I can learn has no chance of ever seeing you or me again, for as I understand he was last seen in a scrap and one machine was seen to go down in flames. This was evidently he.

He was my tentmate and I was on leave in London the same time he was with you in Manchester. Never have I learne to care for a man as I did "Jenk" as we called him. He and I were like brothers and indeed it is like losing a brother to me.

HThey you will be glad to hear of his gallant death. Three times he got out of and went back into the middle of four Huns to fight them and help save another man. The fight was so far over Hunland that the average man would not attempt to fight, but three times he went in and came out and dared to go in again, because someone else was supposed to be in danger. The fourth time was too much, but when his time was come he was firing and fighting for the Allies, that is, you and I.

If I am not mistaken he is to receive the D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross) for his bravery, but that will not give me back my dearest friend. I am afraid there is no chance for him getting a direct and personal blow. so help me God, I intend to pay them back and do my very best to pay dearly for him. Since that date I have added three to my credit (24, 26 and 27th Sept, ed.) and hope to (get) three dozen more. Twice I have started to write you but have never been able to finish for my eyes are watering. I have written to his mother and brother the best I could, but am sure I cannot write a letter of this nature the way it should be. The first place, because he is so dear to me personally. The old saying the best go first still holds good.

Shall close now hoping to hear from you soon.

Your Friend,
First Lieut. F.E. Kindley 148th US Aero Squadron


Harry was originally buried where he fell near Aubigny, but was later re-interred at the US military Cemetery at Somme (Bony), in Block D, Row 4, Grave #15.