100 years ago today - 11 March 1917

[Graeme]

11 MARCH 1917

General Headquarters, March 12th.

“There was considerable activity yesterday and much successful bombing and reconnaissance work was carried out by our aeroplanes. Air fighting was continuous. Nine enemy machines were brought down or driven down damaged, four of which are known to have been destroyed. Five of our machines are missing."

Artillery Co-operation — 102 targets were dealt with by aeroplane observation.

Hostile Aircraft — Hostile aircraft were extremely active, about 81 machines being observed on the First Army front.

Patrol of 11 Sqn, EA out of control Monchy-le-Preux - A German machine was driven down out of control by two FE2bs of 11 Squadron near Monchy-le-Preux

Lt C E M Pickthorn, 32 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed east of Bapaume at 10:05/11:05; Ltn Erkenbrecht, Jasta 12, Wia [?]
Lt G Howe, 32 Sqn, EA out of control east of Bapaume at 10:05/11:05; Ltn Erkenbrecht, Jasta 12, Wia [?]
Lt A C Randall, 32 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bapaume at 10:05/11:05; Ltn Erkenbrecht, Jasta 12, Wia [?]

- a line patrol of six machines engaged nine hostile aircraft east of Bapaume. One hostile machine was destroyed by Lt C E M Pickthorn. Lt Howe fired a double drum at another machine at a range of ten to 20 yards; the German pilot was seen to throw up his hands and fall forward in his machine which fell completely out of control

Lt H E Davies & 2/AM H G Taylor, 25 Sqn, Halberstadt D out of control Vimy at 11:15/12:15

2nd Lt V W B Castle, 1 Sqn, Albatros C in flames Poezelhoek at 11:25/12:25 - engaged an Albatros two-seater near Poezelboek, which was reported as falling in flames [this was actually a 45 Sqn machine shot down in flames by Albatros scouts from Jasta 18]

Flt Cdr B C Bell, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Vaux at 11:30/12:30

Lt H A R Boustead & 2nd Lt J R Smith, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed Vélu - Bapaume at 11:45/12:45 - a general engagement took place between hostile machines and aeroplanes of 18 Squadron. Lt Boustead & 2nd Lt Smith destroyed one hostile machine and drove a second out of control. At least three other hostile aircraft are believed to have been driven down during this fight; Offz Stv Alfred Behling, Jasta 1, Kia [?]

Flt Cdr H G Travers, 3N Sqn, Albatros C out of control Vaux at 11:50/12:50

Lt H A R Boustead & 2nd Lt J R Smith, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Vélu - Bapaume at 12:00/13:00 - a general engagement took place between hostile machines and aeroplanes of 18 Squadron. Lt Boustead & 2nd Lt Smith destroyed one hostile machine and drove a second out of control. At least three other hostile aircraft are believed to have been driven down during this fight; Offz Stv Alfred Behling, Jasta 1, Kia [?]

Lt N H Read & 2nd Lt L N Smith and Lt E T Curling & Lt H W Guy, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Monchy-le-Preux at 12:30/13:30 - a German machine was driven down out of control by two FE2bs of 11 Squadron near Monchy-le-Preux

Capt R Oxspring, 54 Sqn, two-seater broke up Bapaume at 12:30/13:30 - engaged and destroyed a hostile machine near Achiet-le-Grand; Offz Stv Alfred Behling, Jasta 1, Kia [?], BUT type ?

Casualties –

Lt A D Whitehead (Pow), 60 Sqn, Nieuport 17 A279 - reported going down in flames near Bailleul on escort; aa or Ltn d R Werner Voss, Ja2, 15th victory [Bailleul at 12:40]

? (Ok) & 2nd Lt N J Bredner (Wia), 52 Sqn, BE2e - ground fire

2nd Lt H G C Bowden (Kia) & 2nd Lt D B Stevenson (Kia), 45 Sqn, Strutter A1071 - fell near Ypres and wrecked on patrol; Ltn Josef Flink, Ja18, 2nd victory [Ypres at 11:15]

Capt The Hon E F P Lubbock MC (Kia) & Lt J Thompson (Kia), 45 Sqn, Strutter A1082 - fell in Railway Wood near Ypres on patrol; Ltn d R Paul Strähle, Ja18, 2nd victory [Zillebeke at 11:15] ?

2nd Lt G Howe (Wia), 32 Sqn, DH2; Vzfw Kurt Grigo, Ja12, 1st victory [Gréviller Wood]

Lt C M Pickthorn (Ok), 32 Sqn, DH2 7898 - engine shot and force landed on bad ground Bapaume on line patrol

2nd Lt W A G Young (Wia), 32 Sqn, DH2 7903 - engine riddled in combat and force landed in no mans land on line patrol; Offz Stv Wilhelm Cymera, Ja1, 3rd victory [Noreuil at 11:50]

Capt J M Robb (Wia), 32 Sqn, DH2 A2535 - wounded in legs on line patrol near Warlencourt and force landed Bapaume; Vzfw Paul Hoppe, Ja5, 1st victory [Bapaume at 11:45]

2nd Lt A C Randall (Wia), 32 Sqn, DH2 A2548 - overturned and completely crashed after engine shot in combat; force landed Bapaume on line patrol; Ltn d R Heinrich Gontermann, Ja5, 3rd victory [south of Bapaume at 11:45]

2nd Lt J H Cross (Inj), 32 Sqn, DH2 A5025, brought down in combat near Bapaume on line patrol

2nd Lt C A R Shum (Pow) & 2nd Lt F C Coops (Pow), 23 Sqn, FE2b 7713 - attacked by HA near Bapaume during escort to photography; Offz Stv Edmund Nathanael, Ja5, 2nd victory [Vaux - north of Beugny at 11:45]

2nd Lt A Holden (Pow) & 9329 2/AM A G Walker (Pow), 23 Sqn, FE2b A5443 - attacked by HA near Bapaume during escort to photography; Ltn Friedrich Hengst & Ltn Criege, SS3, 1st victory [Beugny at 10:40]

2nd Lt L W Beal (Ok) & 2/AM A G Davin (Wia), 22 Sqn, FE2b 7685 - observer wounded by bullet from HA and controls shot away; force landed near Combles on line patrol; Ltn d R Werner Voss, Ja2, 14th victory [Rancourt - Combles at 10:00]

2nd Lt J F A Day (Wia) & 2nd Lt L C Davies MC (Wia), 22 Sqn, FE2b A5454 - observer wounded and aileron controls shot away while driving off HA during escort to recce; Vfw Fritz Kosmahl & Oblt Neuburger, FFA 261

19135 Sgt H P Burgess (Kia) & 2nd Lt H M Headley (Kia), 18 Sqn, FE2b A5475 - attacked by HA near Bapaume during escort to photography; Ltn d R Adolf Schulte, Ja12, 5th victory [Ligny - Guendecourt at 10:05]

2nd Lt J E Lewis (Wia) & Lt R Mayberry (Wia), 18 Sqn, FE2b A785 - attacked by HA and brought down near front line at Sh57CM11c during escort to photography; Ltn Konstantin Krefft, Ja11, 1st victory [Vimy - Givenchy at 10:45] ?

Capt F R Hardie DSO (Wia) & 2nd Lt A E Turner (Wia), 7 Sqn, BE2e 7155 - attacked by 3 HA and shot through on artillery observation Chaulnes; Vzfw Heinz Josef Kammendal, Ja18, 1st victory [north-west of Armentières at 13:30]

2nd Lt G C Hoskins (Kia) & 2nd Lt G W B Hampton (Kia), 2 Sqn, BE2c 4541 - attacked by HA and brought down in flames in spinning nosedive in Loos Salient on artillery registration; Ltn Karl Schaeffer, Ja11, 7th victory [Loosbogen at 10:20]

2nd Lt J Smyth (Kia) & 2nd Lt E Byrne (Wia; Dow 12-Mar-17), 2 Sqn, BE2d 6232 - attacked by HA over Givenchy and brought down on enemy side of lines during photography; Ltn Manfred von Richthofen, Ja11, 26th victory [south of La Folie at 11:00]

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

From JWC, a couple of conflicting entries.

Ltn Krefft's first victory given as an FE8, Givenchy-Vimy, 1120hrs.

Ltn H Gontermann, Js5, is credited with the downing of Burgess & Headley. An FE2b, S Bapaume, 1245hrs, third victory.

Ltn F Sculte's 4th (sic) victory given as an FE, Geueudecourt-Ligny, 1105hrs. Might this actually be the DH2 of Pickthorn?

More to follow,

Tony

[MASTIFF]

From JWC:

Claims:

Ltn F Weitz, Js26, a Nieuport, S Ammerzweiler, 1020hrs, 3rd victory. Ltn Maus of N.49 on Nie XVII 2341 KIA near Bernweiler.

Vfw Schendel, Js7, a balloon at Belrupt, 1140hrs, first victory.

Ltn H Baldamus, Js9, a Voisin at Rouvroy, 1200hrs, 13th victory. Probably Capt Rochard, CO of Esc F.71(P) & S/Lt Litaud, Esc C.219 (O) on a Farman F.40, shot down near Bois de Ville.

Ltn H Pfeiffer, Js9, a Caudron at Berzieux, 1240hrs, 9th victory.

Ltn W von Bulow, Js18, British balloon 9-6-2 (BMS18), N Armentieres at 1430hrs, 9th victory. Lts TG Bolitho & RP Sewell unharmed.

Ltn Erkenbrecht, Js12, a DH2, S Grevillers, first victory.

Vfw Rieger, Js17, a Nieuport at Cormicy.

Ltn E von Stenglin, Js1, a Vikkers at Le Sars, 2nd victory. DH2 A5025, 32 Sqn, 2/Lt Cross FTL near Bapaume injured.

Ltn A Niederhoff, Js20, a Sopwith2 at Roye, first victory. Probably from Esc F.54, Adj Robin (P) & Ltn Barbot (O) both MIA near Crapeaumesnil.

More to follow.

Tony

[MASTIFF]

From JWC:

Losses:

OfStv Alfred Behling, Js1, 1 victory, killed between Biefvillers and Bihucourt.

Ltn Erkenbrecht, Js12, 1 victory, WIA.

Ltn Friedrich Weitz, Js26, 3 victories, WIA near Iseghem, DOW 12 March 1917.


Tony

[James A. Pratt III]

according to my notes FAA 211 had a plane damaged this day by a RE8 of 34 Sqn could this be one of the other claims

FASWC has
DCA of 78 Cie d'Aerostiers EA FTL could this be the J26 WIA/DOI they are in the same area. a balloon of the unit was attacked but not burned as was one from the 48th Cie d'Aerostiers J7 made to balloon claims this day and they are in this area.

Brig max Duborg WIA/DOW F5( P) and Lt Bertault F71 (O) could be a J13 claim made this day they are in the same sector

[Gregvan]

Thanks so much for posting so much great info in this thread, and all the others - Graeme, Mastiff and everyone else.

Lots of famous names in the events of 11 March 1917, and some not-so-famous.

Baldamus of Jasta 9:




Hermann Pfeiffer of Jasta 9:


The first and 3rd photos above were, I believe, taken by Kogenluft photographers on a visit to Jasta 9 at Leffincourt in late February 1917 - so they're almost contemporary with 11 March.

Vzfw Rieger, Jasta 17, and his Albatros D.II at Metz.

[R Gannon]

Can say a fair bit about the fighting over BEF sector this date; but will start with the actions of Jasta 11.

There is no doubt that Js 11's 'young canon' Emil Schaefer accounted for 2 Sqn's 4541 shot down in flames Br it side at Loos. His 8th success(if you count the two damaged 40 Sqn FE8's) in the same time that MvR was credited with 3 somewhat shaky victories! Moreover a jenseits claim with substance!

Not so for the Vfw Krefft credit of a EA-1/Vickers-1 Vimy-Givenchy 1145GT(1045BT). Certainly not 18 Sqn's A785 lost near Bapaume (Js 1). On the face of it the claim must reflect 40 Sqn (FE8's) - but no claims or losses. The claim might reflect the 25 Sqn (FE2b's) combat noted by Graeme, which saw a Halberstadter sent down OOC over Vimy 1115BT. A 30 min time discrepancy but close enough (and possible typo error in regards one of the given times?)

Not long after this it would seem, MvR lost his kette (Bishopesque, or went downstairs in the said fight with 25 Sqn?) and as MvR told it, he stalked an artillery flier for some time, before surprising it c1200GT(1100BT) and sending down after, for him, a very economic 200 rounds. He would lay claim to 2 Sqn's 6232, as noted by Graeme, which apparently came down German side in pieces south of La Folie Wood between Vimy & Givenchy. Point is however, the said BE2d only left at 1030BT on a photo, and was downed near Givenchy c1045BT(1145GT). In other words it was not up too long. Then of course we have the issue that Karl Allmenroder had an unconfirmed BE claim between Lens & Vimy (Givenchy sits between!) - no time unfortunately, but very much same location as the 2 Sqn loss & MvR claim!

More to follow over next day or so.

Cheers from one of the 'others'

[R Gannon]

Gone over this ground before, but for the 100 year record; a six strong 32 Sqn formation (flying in two tiers; Capt Robb, Pickthorne & Howe at 7,200ft and Randall, young & Cross at 5,500ft) clashed with 9 HA scouts (3 formations of 3) German side just to the east of Bapaume, in a fight (1005-1010BT) that spilled south west back towards the British lines. Thee of the DH2's were shot about subsequently making forced landings near and inside British territory. Going on claim locations and locations of 32 Sqn's crash landings; Js 12's Erkenbrecht (js claim) shot up DH2 of Young (IIC), Grigo (js claim) that of Randall, and Schulte (not stated, but location Brit side) shot up DH2 of Cross (IIC). Bare in mind British side was heavily cratered and any landing would result in a crash. On the flip side, of the three 32 Sqn OOC claims, that of 2Lt Randall most likely reflects the wounding of Ltn Erkenbrecht - Randall fired a drum of Lewis into a HA scout on the tail of a DH2 at 5 yards range! I have it that Pickthorne suffered an engine failure during the fight leading to his FTL&T/O.

Cheers Russ

PS - Js 1 Cymera 'Vickers' claim 1250GT (1150BT) not a contender for Young - his claim diesseits at Noriuel (well inside German lines) and almost certainly for 18 Sqn FE2. To be dealt with next.

[R Gannon]

5 Brigade RFC succinctly summed up this fight as follows; 'On extensive photo operations near Bapaume this formation of 5 aircraft was repeatedly attacked by EA, each British machine being attacked by at least 3 EA and all shot down except Smith and his pilot. Smith fired 450 rounds in successive combats.' Smith and his pilot Boustead were part of a 3 strong 18 Sqn formation who were also able report the fate of their fellow 18 Sqn machines, '...2 FE's going down east of Bapaume. One appeared to be under control but being heavily attacked, and the other seemed to be in flames.' The FE in flames was A5475 and looks to have been awarded to Js 1's Ostv Cymera #3, Vickers Norieul diesseits 1250GT. (Norieul is some 8Km NE Bapaume) The harassed & shot up A785 however reached British lines and looks to have been credited to both Js 1's von Senglin Vickers #2 (le Sars was Brit side) and Js 5's Ltn Gontermann (Vickers jenseits S Bapaume #3).

For reasons best known to the Germans, 23 Sqn's A5443 was awarded to the Schusta 3 crew as noted by Graeme, and 7713 to the FAA 261crew of Vfw Kosmahl & Obln Neuberger - FE numbered '464' in Abschuss list. 7713 went down in flames and this looks to be drawn from the engine number 604 WD9664. But the thing is the crews of both in their RPS make no mention of 2-seaters only 5-7 HA scouts. Graeme is correct awarding 7713 to Js 5's Ostv Nathanael, claimed as his #2, but not initially recognised in the Nachrichtenblatt Abschuss, awarded later in April 17 as his #6. Undoubtedly he was not prepared to stand by and see the Schusta 3 crew be credited. Js 5's Vfw Hoppe also claimed a FE-2 but this went and remained unconfirmed. He looks to have missed out in favour of the FAA 261 claim. Personally I feel the FAA 261 claim relates to another combat (which I will relate), but such was the scramble for credit, the Obln clearly won over the Vfw for bragging rites in regards the burnt wreck of 7713. Incidently Lt Shum climbed out onto the wing of the burning 7713 in order to get it down! At best the Schusta 3 crew was feeding on the scraps of Jasta 5's efforts. Maybe the Schusta 3 crew landed along side A5443 (ftl crashed Morchies according to RPS); possession looking to have been 9/10ths of the law in gaining credit for downed machines!

I think we can say confidently that Jasta 's Vfw Behling was kia this fighting - there is a time 1230GT which rules out the 54 Sqn claim (more on this one later). Think 2Lt RS Smith is best contender.

Cheers Russ

[R Gannon]

On paper Jasta 18 were awarded 4 victories. Some might see that as a red letter day for the unit, but looks can be deceiving. As Graeme notes, Js 18 looks to have accounted for two 45 Sqn Strutters. Now Norman Macmillian in his Into the Blue gives a fine and poignant account of the fight and its sad aftermath. In essence a three strong photo mission that was reduced to two machines which were attacked by two Albatros scouts over the Ypres salient. Both being brought down just within British lines. A1082 broke up and fell in Railway Wood is 1km north of Hooge and right on the forward British font line. Strahle's claim (Zillebeke) was recorded as vL implying the forward German front line. Interesting thing there is also a claim by Flakzug 103 for a BE at Zillebeke. Point being that British ground observers saw the Albatros which was attacking A1082, fall away seemingly OOC, prior to the Strutter breaking up. This machine was further shelled by the German's when on the ground. None the less 5 exposed photo plates were recovered. It was not a red letter day for 45 Sqn as there were four coffins that evening containing the bodies of young men; 19, 20, 21 & 23 years of age. They were buried at Poperinghe. Macmillan provided a reminder to us all in regards these losses and the way we latter day enthusiasts record these combats, and their grim aftermaths, 'Even today more than half a century later, many amateur grapevine historical societies exist solely to collect and collate information about the WW1 air head-hunters, their tallies, arms, mounts and methods, a form of hero worship that it is as strange as it is highly devotional.'

Later, Walter von Bulow attacked and downed 9 Kite Balloon Section's BM5 18 - the two observers getting out unhurt. He would later say that one of his kette 'knocked down a third Englishman'. He was impling Vfw Kammandel who was credited with a BE north of Armentieres jenseits given as his #1. There was no loss, or casualty. No doubt made in good faith, it was at best a moral victory, as were so many in the janseits category.

Cheers Russ

PS It would be interesting to know how Strahle wrote this up, as unfortunately the pre Aug 17 part of his diary has yet to have been made available to the wider fraternity.