100 years ago today

Graeme · 2 May 2017, 03:35 AM

All ready to go, then McAfee had a hissy-fit, so a bit delayed, I'm afraid.

1 MAY 1917

General Headquarters, May 2nd.

“Many fights took place in the air again yesterday, and 10 German aeroplanes were brought down, one of which fell in our lines. Six other hostile machines were driven down out of control by our aeroplanes, and a seventh was shot down in our lines by gun fire. Four of our machines are missing."

Artillery Co-operation — 111 targets were dealt with by aeroplane observation and 11 by balloon observation.

Bombing — During the night of 30 April/1 May, bombing raids were made against Carvin, Bauvin, Quiery-la-Motte, Rumbeke aerodrome, St Sauveur, Haubourdin, Le Catelet and Epinoy aerodrome.

Photography — 1,117 photographs were taken during the day.

Reconnaissance — A special reconnaissance was carried out by Lts O'Brien & Jones, 43 Squadron, at very-low altitude and much useful information obtained. An armoured BE of 53 Squadron flew at 500 feet and successfully co-operated with an infantry raiding party.

Hostile Aircraft -

Anti-aircraft gunners of the Third Army brought down a DFW two-seater in our lines.

Lt D J Bell, 27 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Épinoy - Lt D J Bell, 27 Sqn, drove down a German single-seat machine in a spin; Ltn Gerhard Strehl, Jasta 12, Kia ?

Lt K Mackenzie, 40 Sqn, HA destroyed Quiery-la-Motte - attacked five HA and destroyed one near Quiery-la-Motte.

2nd Lt R G Malcolm & Cpl L H Emsden, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed Izel at 06:20/07:20
2nd Lt R G Malcolm & Cpl L H Emsden, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout driven down west of Lens at 06:45/07:45
2nd Lt B King & Lt G M A Hobart-Hampden, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control west of Lens at 06:45/07:45

Six FEs of 25 Squadron engaged about 15 EA scouts near Douai. 2nd Lt R G Malcolm & Cpl L H Emsden destroyed one and drove down a second. 2nd Lt B King & Lt G M A Hobart-Hampden drove down anoter out of control.

Capt W V Strugnell, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of St Quentin at 07:10/08:10

Lt W P Eastwood (Ok) & 2nd Lt R B Davies (Kia), 2 Sqn, HA north of Arras at 07:45/08:45

2nd Lt R G Dalziel & L/Cpl R Bradley, 20 Sqn, Albatros C crashed Messines at 08:15/09:15 - shot down an Albatros two-seater which crashed near Messines.

Flt Sub-Lt D M Shields, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed at 08:40/09:40 - On the evening of May 1, Flight Sub-Lt D M Shields, 8 Sqn RNAS, drove down an Albatros scout out of control. He was then attacked by seven more scouts and was forced down; his controls were shot away and the machine crashed and was immediately shelled by the Germans. The pilot, who was injured, crept into a shell hole and remained there until rescued the next morning.

Capt C J Q Brand, 1 Sqn, Albatros C destroyed Warneton at 09:15/10:15 - destroyed an Albatros two-seater near Warneton. Communique number 86 states ‘Capt E D Atkinson of the same squadron destroyed one near Zonnebeke’ but I have found no other record of this; Atkinson was wounded later in the day.

2nd Lt W R Exley & Capt J A Le Royer, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed Biache at 09:30/10:30

Lt F S Wilkins, 19 Sqn, Albatros C crashed south-east of Arras at 09:35/10:35 - drove down an Albatros two-seater which fell south-east of Arras; Ltn Wilhelm Riehmer (Pow) & Ltn Herbert Albert von Schultz (Pow), FA 40(Lb) ?

2nd Lt K J Knaggs, 56 Sqn, Albatros C crashed Roeux, west of Biache-Saint-Vaast at 09:45/10:45 - drove down an Albatros two-seater which is believed to have fallen into the River Scarpe; Sandtner (Wia) & Flg Adam Föller, Schusta 30 ?

Capt C J Q Brand and Lt L M Mansbridge, 1 Sqn, Albatros C destroyed Ploegsteert at 10:00/11:00 - an Albatros two-seater was driven down out of control by 2nd Lt L M Mansbridge, 1 Squadron

Lt C G Shaumer & Lt F C Shackell, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Épinoy at 10:30/11:30

Lt C Parkinson & Lt J V Anglin, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Épinoy at 10:30/11:30

2nd Lt G A Critchley & 2/AM W G Jones, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Épinoy at 10:30/11:30

2nd Lt M M Kaizer & Sgt F Russell, 18 RFC and Flt Sub-Lt J S T Fall, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Cambrai at 10:45/11:45 - a photographic reconnaissance of 18 Squadron attacked 10 HA near Epinoy. Flight Sub-Lt J S T Fall, 8 Squadron RNAS, one of the escort to the FEs, assisted by 2nd Lt M M Kaizer & Sgt F Russell, 18 Squadron, drove down one HA completely out of control. Three other HA were driven down out of control; Ltn Gerhard Strehl, Jasta 12, Kia ?

Capt F J H Thayre & Capt F R Cubbon, 20 Sqn, Albatros C in flames Ploegsteert Wood at 11:20/12:20- … another of the same type [Albatros two-seater] was driven down out of control by Capts F J H Thayre & F R Cubbon, 20 Squadron [Uffz Karl Gottwald (Kia) & Ltn Erich Heckmann (Kia), FA 6 ?]

Lt E S T Cole and Lt F Sharpe, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Ypres – Roulers 12:00/13:00; Ltn d R Alexander Kutscher, Jasta 28, Kia

Capt A W Keen, 40 Sqn and Capt D C Rutter & 1/AM A W Cant, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Douai 12:45/13:45

Capt A Ball, 56 Sqn, Albatros C crashed Marquion at 17:00/18:00 - a patrol of three SEs of 56 Squadron saw six HA near Cambrai at 13,000 feet. The SEs immediately attacked and one HA was destroyed by Captain A Ball, while a second was driven down out of control by this pilot.

2nd Lt R G Malcolm & Cpl L H Emsden, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Bois Bernard at 18:00/19:00

Capt C H C Woollven & Sgt J H Brown, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed south-east of Fresnoy at 18:00/19:00 - a formation of nine Albatros scouts attacked six FEs of 25 Squadron which were returning from a bomb raid. Capt C H C Woolven & Sergt J H Brown destroyed one scout, and 2nd Lt Malcolm & Sergt L Emsden destroyed a second.

Capt A Ball, 56 Sqn, Albatros C out of control south-west of Cambrai at 19:50/20:50 - a patrol of three SEs of 56 Squadron saw six HA near Cambrai at 13,000 feet. The SEs immediately attacked and one HA was destroyed by Captain A Ball, while a second was driven down out of control by this pilot.

Casualties –

Lt W P Eastwood (Ok) & 2nd Lt R B Davies (Kia), 2 Sqn, AW FK8 A9997 – took off 05:30/06:30 and hostile mg fire exploded petrol tank and came down in flames north of Arras on artillery registration 07:45/08:45

Flt Sub-Lt E B Roach (Kia), 8N Sqn, Triplane N5474 – took off 08:40/09:40 and shot down south of Seclin; Ltn Kurt Wolff, Ja11, 28th victory [south of Seclin at 09:50/10:50]

Flt Sub-Lt A S Mather (Pow), 3N Sqn, Pup N6186 – took off 09:20/10:20 patrol Écourt-Saint-Quentin; Oblt Adolf Ritter von Tutschek, Ja12, 5th victory [Cantaing - Cambrai at 10:40]

Lt C R O'Brien (Pow) & 2nd Lt E L Edwards (Pow), 43 Sqn, Strutter A8252 – took off 10:55/11:55 then missing on photography and line patrol; Ltn Riegel & Vfw Totsch, FAA211

2nd Lt E C H R Nicholls (Wia), 41 Sqn, FE8 6471 – took off 15:02/16:02 then attacked by 4 HA and shot through on offensive patrol Abeele

2nd Lt E W A Hunt (Kia) & 2nd Lt G B Miller (Kia), 18 Sqn, FE2b 4968 – took off 21:30/22:30 then missing from night bombing

Capt E D Atkinson (Wia), 1 Sqn, Nieuport 17 A6678 – combat Elverdinghe at 12:00/13:00; Ltn Karl Schaeffer, Ja28, 25th victory [Poperinghe - Woestem at 12:00/13:00]

Capt S P Smith (Wia) & ? (Ok), 6 Sqn, RE8

2nd Lt E P Morris (Kia) Lt V R Pfrimmer (Kia), 8 Sqn, BE2e A2850 - brought down at N23d59 by shell fire on artillery observation Wancourt at 19:15/20:15

2nd Lt R E Conder (Ok) & AM Cowell (Ok), 20 Sqn, FE2d A6359 - lost prop in air force landed near St Marie Cappel on patrol

2nd Lt B King (Ok) & Sgt H G Taylor (Wia), 25 Sqn, FE2b A782 - force landed Arras racecourse after shot through by 4 HA on bomb raid and line patrol Izel-les-Epuerchin at 18:15/19:15; Oblt Lothar von Richthofen, Ja11, 17th victory [west of Acheville at 18:00/19:00] ?

Lt G S French (Pow) & Lt G P Harding (Pow), 25 Sqn, FE2b A815 - attacked by 9 HA and went down in flames over Rouvroy on return from bomb raid at 18:00/19:00; Ltn Kurt Wolff, Ja11, 29th victory [south of Bois Bernard at 17:55/18:55]

? (Ok) & Sgt L Emsden (Wia), 25 Sqn, FE2b

2nd Lt S J Stewart (Wia), 27 Sqn, Martinsyde G.100

2nd Lt C C Knight (Inj) & Lt J A Stanbrook (Ok), 55 Sqn, DH4 A2166 - force landed Mailly, struck bump and overturned due engine failure on recconnaissance

Flt Sub-Lt D M Shields (Wia), 8N Sqn, Triplane N5434 – combat Vimy Ridge; Oblt Kurt-Bertram von Döring, Ja4, 2nd victory [north-west of Arleux en Gohelle at 09:20/10:20]

Graeme

MASTIFF · 2 May 2017, 03:12 PM

From JWC:

Claims:

Vfw E Ey, Js6, Pup, Francilly, 0815hrs. No other info. Unconfirmed?

Ltn K Schafer, Js28, Farman, Dixmuiden, 1240hrs, 24th victory.
Ltn zS G Sachsenberg, MFJ1, Farman, Dixmuiden, first victory.

A Farman 40 of Belgian 4me Escadrille lost over Dixmuiden. Either Schafer or Sachsenberg victory. Sgt Pauli & Lt Bersaques KIA.

Vfw P Bona, Js1, balloon, Vailly, 1300hrs, 5th victory.
Vfw W Dittrich, Js1, balloon, Revillon, 1300hrs, first victory.
Obltn H Kummetz, Js1, balloon, Conde, 1300, 4th victory.
Ltn Zilcher, Js1, balloon, Vailly, 1300hrs, first victory.
OfStv W Cymera, Js1, balloon, NE Conde, 1300hrs, 4th victory.

Two French balloons lost in this sector. (42 & 49 Cies.) Balloons of 21 & 31 Cies attacked but not flamed. Ens Rengard, 31 and Lt Cremiere, 49 Cies KIA.

Ltn H Kroll, Js9, Spad, W Moronvillers, 1935hrs, first victory. No other info.

Ltn L Hanstein, Js16, Nieuport, SW Hirzbach, 3rd victory. Sgt G Segond, N.88 on Nieuport 23 #2675 in flames KIA.

Vfw H Stober, Js16, Sopwith 2, Altkirch, 3rd victory. No other info.

Ltn zS G Sachsenberg, MFJ1, Sopwith 2, Oudekapelle, 2nd victory. No other info.

Flgmt B Heinrich, MFJ1, Sopwith 2, W Dixmuiden, first victory. No other info.

Losses:

Ltn Hermann Frommherz, Js2, Injured in crash.

Ltn Alexander Kutscher, Js28, on Albatros D.III 771/17 shot down by Cole & Sharpe as noted by Graeme. From TJP: Cole on Nieuport N1508 & Sharpe on Nieuport N1550.

Tony

Graeme · 2 May 2017, 03:54 PM

Cole was actually in Nieuport 23 B1508 and Sharpe in Nieuport 23 B1550

N1508 was to have been a Large America flying boat from the batch N1505 to N1519, this being cancelled before any machines were produced.

N1550 was to have been a Farman Pusher Floatplane from the batch N1536 to N1569, this also cancelled before production got under way.

Graeme

James A. Pratt III · 6 May 2017, 03:45 PM

From my notes from Aviation awards of Imperial Germany Volume 3 FAA 266 had another observer WIA in air combat this day G, Richer

CGAS has a LtndR Walter Jaocbi WIA FAA 266 WIA sv. at Grendy which is north of Arras

R Gannon · 6 May 2017, 10:12 PM

Quote:

1 MAY 1917

General Headquarters, May 2nd.

“Many fights took place in the air again yesterday, and 10 German aeroplanes were brought down, one of which fell in our lines. Six other hostile machines were driven down out of control by our aeroplanes, and a seventh was shot down in our lines by gun fire. Four of our machines are missing."

Lt F S Wilkins, 19 Sqn, Albatros C crashed south-east of Arras at 09:35/10:35 - drove down an Albatros two-seater which fell south-east of Arras; Ltn Wilhelm Riehmer (Pow) & Ltn Herbert Albert von Schultz (Pow), FA 40(Lb) ?

Hi Graeme

The FA40 machine (DFW CV 4909/16) came down in British lines near Hendicourt, 10km SE of Arras. and was clearly claimed by Third Army AA (as per your later notation). None the less as you postulate, it might be Wilkins was involved - the combat was at 14,000ft and Wilkinson fired 30rds at 50yds before getting a No4 stoppage - the 2-seat fell away OOC and passed close by a British 2-seater lower down, but was not claimed crashed. German airmen of course routinely went down when attacked, but it could be that on this occasion, when they came out lower down, they were not over friendly territory and became the target of British AA. There are some others down the track where this may have also been the case - HA spinning/diving away from higher flying fighters only to come under AA fire lower down and consequently being brought down - AA the cause, but the fighter the facilitator! As always at time would help in regards the FA 40 machine being downed.

Russ

R Gannon · 6 May 2017, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Lt K Mackenzie, 40 Sqn, HA destroyed Quiery-la-Motte - attacked five HA and destroyed one near Quiery-la-Motte.

Certain this one was 2 May 17.

Russ

R Gannon · 6 May 2017, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Flt Sub-Lt D M Shields, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed at 08:40/09:40 - On the evening of May 1, Flight Sub-Lt D M Shields, 8 Sqn RNAS, drove down an Albatros scout out of control. He was then attacked by seven more scouts and was forced down; his controls were shot away and the machine crashed and was immediately shelled by the Germans. The pilot, who was injured, crept into a shell hole and remained there until rescued the next morning.

Flt Sub-Lt E B Roach (Kia), 8N Sqn, Triplane N5474 – took off 08:40/09:40 and shot down south of Seclin; Ltn Kurt Wolff, Ja11, 28th victory [south of Seclin at 09:50/10:50]

Flt Sub-Lt D M Shields (Wia), 8N Sqn, Triplane N5434 – combat Vimy Ridge; Oblt Kurt-Bertram von Döring, Ja4, 2nd victory [north-west of Arleux en Gohelle at 09:20/10:20]

This pair left on the same C Flight 8 Naval escort (to 18 Sqn) which left at 0840.

Near Izel the FE's were threatened by 5 HA scouts (Js 11?), but these were cased off east by Flt Booker & FSL ED Crundall who fired at long range. Shields found himself alone and attacked a HA near at 0930(?) whereupon he was attacked by the 7 HA scouts (Js 4) coming down in no-mans-land near Vimy after a 15min fight - breaking leg & dislocating shoulder.

Now whilst Communiques credits Shields with Albatros scout, other sources simply give HA, and the point of it being alone is more suggestive of a 2-seater and as such I'm inclined to look towards the FAA 266 casualty of Ltn Jackoby wia(s) in an airfight near Grenay (just west of Lens).

No one saw what happened to Roach, but as he was apparently brought down at Phalemphin (S Seclin) at 1050GT (0950BT), so it is clear he must have been chased, or involved in a running fight, which took him 18km north of Izel. It may be that, unseen by the others, he continued to pursue the original 5 HA east!

Again the perils of being caught alone German side! Only Billy seems to have been invulnerable in such circumstances.

Russ

R Gannon · 6 May 2017, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Capt C J Q Brand, 1 Sqn, Albatros C destroyed Warneton at 09:15/10:15 - destroyed an Albatros two-seater near Warneton. Communique number 86 states ‘Capt E D Atkinson of the same squadron destroyed one near Zonnebeke’ but I have found no other record of this; Atkinson was wounded later in the day.

Lt E S T Cole and Lt F Sharpe, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Ypres – Roulers 12:00/13:00; Ltn d R Alexander Kutscher, Jasta 28, Kia

Capt E D Atkinson (Wia), 1 Sqn, Nieuport 17 A6678 – combat Elverdinghe at 12:00/13:00; Ltn Karl Schaeffer, Ja28, 25th victory [Poperinghe - Woestem at 12:00/13:00]

I suspect the 2-seater destroyed by Capt Brand may have been the FA 3 machine of Gefr A Ritterath & Obln M Huhn kia in crash (w/o) N Lille. Brand & Mansbridge then sent a second one down OOC as per the listing.

As for the notation in regards Capt Atkinson I'm certain this relates to the later combat against Js 28 - which was recorded in a combined CR headed by Capt Atkinson - his flight was 5 strong (Capt Atkinson, Lt's Cole, Sharpe, Piggot & Anthony) which attacked 4 Albatros scouts at 12,000ft, quote '3 usual type and one painted brilliant red with an exceptionally good pilot.'

The downed Albatros scout was not claimed in flames but rather, '...The machine crashed into a pond about 28.B.13.' Cole & Sharpe had driven it down to 1,000ft; Cole firing a complete [double] drum and Sharpe one and a half drums - so upwards of 250 rounds. Atkinson provides a vivid account of his scrap and eventual downing by the red Albatros (Schaefer). Piggot engaged the red scout as it made its way back towards German lines.

Russ

R Gannon · 6 May 2017, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Capt A W Keen, 40 Sqn and Capt D C Rutter & 1/AM A W Cant, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Douai 12:45/13:45

Lt C R O'Brien (Pow) & 2nd Lt E L Edwards (Pow), 43 Sqn, Strutter A8252 – took off 10:55/11:55 then missing on photography and line patrol; Ltn Riegel & Vfw Totsch, FAA211

This is the same engagement. C Flight 40 Sqn (including Mick Mannock) providing escort for four 43 Sqn Strutters on a photo mission. The Strutters were attacked by 2 HA, with 2 more above. Keen recorded his opponent as a large 2-seater, possibly Albatros. And only claimed as OOC. Keen also saw a second HA send a Strutter down. This was A8250 and their RPS says attacked by 3 HA, got separated and chased down by 1 HA, egine cut out, Lewis jam, pilot hit leg ftl Henin-Lietard crashed.

Clearly an aggressive pair 2-seaters. I'm wondering if the machine sent down apparently OOC was from Schusta 19, the usual escort for FAA 211?

Russ

R Gannon · 7 May 2017, 06:57 PM

Quote:

2nd Lt R G Malcolm & Cpl L H Emsden, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Bois Bernard at 18:00/19:00

Capt C H C Woollven & Sgt J H Brown, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed south-east of Fresnoy at 18:00/19:00 - a formation of nine Albatros scouts attacked six FEs of 25 Squadron which were returning from a bomb raid. Capt C H C Woolven & Sergt J H Brown destroyed one scout, and 2nd Lt Malcolm & Sergt L Emsden destroyed a second.

2nd Lt B King (Ok) & Sgt H G Taylor (Wia), 25 Sqn, FE2b A782 - force landed Arras racecourse after shot through by 4 HA on bomb raid and line patrol Izel-les-Epuerchin at 18:15/19:15; Oblt Lothar von Richthofen, Ja11, 17th victory [west of Acheville at 18:00/19:00] ?

Lt G S French (Pow) & Lt G P Harding (Pow), 25 Sqn, FE2b A815 - attacked by 9 HA and went down in flames over Rouvroy on return from bomb raid at 18:00/19:00; Ltn Kurt Wolff, Ja11, 29th victory [south of Bois Bernard at 17:55/18:55]

The RPS for crew of A782 confirms their FE set on fire, but this again raises the spectre as to whether the 'flamer' accorded Malcolm & Emsden entails a fog of war mis-identification of their own fellow FE going down in flames. Not a blue on blue, but in the heat of combat, having shot a HA off ones tail, possibly leaving a trail of [exhaust] smoke, the crew, when they get a chance to look, see a machine (probably little more than a spec) going down in flames below the fighting and assuming this was their HA. Fighting over enemy territory there is no way of sorting out what actually transpired.

Russ