100 years ago today - 28 March 1917

[Graeme]

28 MARCH 1917

General Headquarters, March 29th.

"Two German aeroplanes were driven down in a damaged condition yesterday, as a result of fighting in the air. Three of our machines are missing."

Artillery Co-operation — Thirty-seven targets were dealt with artillery with aeroplane observation.

Hostile Aircraft —

Lt C C Clark, 1 Sqn, Halberstadt D out of control Lesquin at 10:45/10:45; Oblt Hans Bethge, Jasta 30, Ok [?]
Lt E S T Cole, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lesquin at 10:45/10:45; Oblt Hans Bethge, Jasta 30, Ok [?]

2nd Lt E S T Cole, 1 Squadron, drove down an Albatros scout out of control near Ronchin. 2nd Lt C C Clark, 1 Squadron, engaged a hostile machine near Lesquin which he drove down completely out of control.

Casualties –

2nd Lt H W Owen (Pow) & Pte Nolan (Pow), 52 Sqn, BE2e 2560 (Presentation machine - From the European & Indian Staff of the Bombay Baroda & Central India Railway Co) - missing after landing at 59 Sqn near Arras on practice flight

2nd Lt N L Knight (Pow) & 2nd Lt A J Severs (Kia), 25 Sqn, FE2b 7715 - driven down by HA and landed in no mans land on patrol La Bassée – Arras; Ltn Lothar von Richthofen, Ja11, 1st victory [east of Vimy at 17:20]

? (Ok) & 2nd Lt R H Lloyd (Wia), 16 Sqn, BE2c; anti-aircraft fire

2nd Lt O R Knight (Wia) & ? (Ok), 16 Sqn, BE2c

2nd Lt W D B Taylor (Wia) & ? (Ok), 16 Sqn, BE2c; anti-aircraft fire

2nd Lt H Welch (Kia), 1 Sqn, Nieuport 17 A6615 - missing after formation engaged 5 HA south-east of Lille on offensive patrol; Oblt Hans Bethge, Ja30, 4th victory [Haplincourt at 10:24]

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

From JWC:

Claims:

Vfw Ulrich, Js7, a balloon at Belleville, 0910hrs, 2nd victory. *
Ltn E Lowenhardt, Js10, a balloon, Recicourt-Verdun, unconfirmed. *

* The French lost 2 balloons, from 58 & 38 Cies d'Aerostieres. Observers Lt Straehle & MdL Collin descended safely. It seems Lowenhardt should have received credit for one of these.

Vfw F Sauerwein, Js7, a Nieuport, NW Douaumont, 1035hrs, 2nd victory.


Losses: Nil


29 March 1917: No Claims No Losses


Tony

[R Gannon]

It is worth pointing out that 25 Sqn's 7715 was lost in a combat with 7 Albatros scouts (Js 11) - set on fire and driven down. Credit went to LvR as his #1, but again Allmenroder looks to have been a bridesmaid with an unconfirmed FE at Lieven.

TSTBF II tells us the missing 52 Sqn BE was effectively on a joy flight with an Aussie Digger Nolan on board. Got lost in the mist and when flying over German positions came under heavy fire its engine stopped and crew FTL at Villers, where they were taken prisoner.

The 1 Sqn loss and claims were in the same fight. It seem an OP led by Capt Brand was attacked at 8,000ft to SW Lille by what 2Lt Cole described as '5 Albatros scouts - very fast..' He was able to out manoeuvre one which attacked him, firing a drum of Lewis at it from underneath and sending it down in a spin, apparently OOC. Capt Brand then had to drive another HA off the tail of 2Lt Cole. 2Lt Clark described his HA as a 'Halberstadt with an Albatross tail..' (Alb DIII?) Painted light blue underneath, it went down on its back. There are photo's of 2Lt Welch's wrecked Nieuport A6615. Undoubtedly downed by Jasta 30's Obln Bethge, who himself looks to have been downed unhurt by either Clark or Cole.

TSTBF II also tells us 32 Sqn's 2Lt AV Gompertz had his DH2 7862 shot about in a combat with a HA over Morchies. I'm wondering whether this relates to the previously noted FAA 221 combat given in its history as occurring on 27 Mar (a truly dud day).

Finally TSTBF II tells us that 2 HA were responsible for wounding 16 Sqn's 2Lt OR Knight.

Cheers Russ

[Sethspeirs]

For completeness sake the 25 Squadron observer is Alfred George Severs

[MASTIFF]

Originally Posted by Sethspeirs

For completeness sake the 25 Squadron observer is Alfred George Severs

I note that JWC has AG Severs.

Cheers,
Tony