100 years ago today (belatedly) - 27 April 1917

[Graeme]

27 APRIL 1917

General Headquarters, April 28th.

“Three German aeroplanes were brought down yesterday in air fighting, and a fourth was shot down by our antiaircraft guns. One hostile observation balloon was also destroyed. Three of our aeroplanes are missing."

Hostile aircraft –

Patrol of 6 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control

Lt R B Hay & Lt V W G Nutkins and Lt W T Price & Lt M A Benjamin, 48 Sqn, two-seater crashed south-west of Douai

Lt W A Bishop, 60 Sqn, Balloon smoking Vitry-en-Artois at 08:55/09:55 - attacked a balloon into which he fired 60 rounds. The balloon was seen to emit a great deal of smoke.

2nd Lt D S Kennedy & Capt J A Le Royer, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south-west of Vitry at 20:00/21:00
2nd Lt D S Kennedy & Capt J A Le Royer, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed south-west of Vitry at 20:00/21:00
2nd Lt D S Kennedy & Capt J A Le Royer, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Vitry at 20:00/21:00

2nd Lt D S Kennedy & Capt J A le Royer, 11 Squadron, on the evening of the 27th, drove down an HA in flames, while they destroyed a second south-west of Vitry, and drove down another apparently out of control.

Casualties –

2nd Lt F Stedman (Pow), 60 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B1570 - got lost and landed east of the lines delivering new machine from 2 AD, last seen Douai 08:00/09:00

Capt HH Balfour (Inj) & 2nd Lt EH Jones (Ok), 43 Sqn, Strutter A8235 - force landed Vimy Ridge due engine trouble on line patrol

2nd Lt J A Cairnes (Kia) & 1/AM E G Perry (Pow), 11 Sqn, FE2b 4850 – took off 17:20/18:20 then missing from patrol; Oblt Lothar von Richthofen, Ja11, 12th victory [Fresnes at 19:15/20:15] ?

2nd Lt P Robinson (Wia) & 2/AM H Tilley (Inj), 11 Sqn, FE2b 7698 - landed at H6BO3 and overturned in trench on close patrol; Ltn Karl Allmenroder, Ja11, 9th victory [Athies - Fampoux at 19:25/20:25] ?; NB – often said to be Ltn Kurt Wolff, Ja11, 22nd victory, but time?

2nd Lt W J Stonier (Kia) & 2nd Lt F R Croker (Kia), 2 Sqn, BE2c 2713 - reported as hit by heavy mg fire from ground north-east of Double Crassier; one occupant fell out and machine burst into flames on crashing on artillery registration

Graeme