100 years ago today - 14 to 17 May 1917

[Graeme]

14 MAY 1917

General Headquarters, May 15th.

“Two German aeroplanes were brought down in air fighting yesterday, and one other hostile machine was driven down out of control. Two of our aeroplanes are missing."

Artillery Co-operation — 121 targets were dealt with by aeroplane observation and 90 by balloon observation.

Photography — 182 photographs were taken during the day.

Hostile aircraft -

2nd Lt St C C Tayler, 32 Sqn, Albatros C destroyed south-east of Baralle at 10:30/11:30 - Capt W G S Curphey and 2nd Lts St C Tayler and Wright, 32 Squadron, attacked German balloons. The Observers descended by parachute and the balloons were hauled down. The De Havillands were then engaged by six Albatros scouts, one of which was destroyed by 2nd Lt Tayler. Captain Curphey was driven down and his machine was seen to turn over on landing.

Lt W C Campbell, 1 Sqn, Roland C crashed Polygon Wood at 11:15/12:15 - 2nd Lt W C Campbell, 1 Squadron, while on special duty, shot down a Roland two-seater which crashed near Zonnebeke.

Casualties –

Capt W G S Curphey MC (Wia; Dow 15 May 1917), 32 Sqn, DH2 A2622 - burst into flames at 20 feet during combat and overturned during low patrol and balloon attack; Hpt Franz Walz, Ja2, 7th victory [Vis-en-Artois at 10:20/10:30]

2nd Lt CC Tayler (Ok), 32 Sqn, DH2 A4800 - very badly shot about in combat on low patrol Pronville - Marquion

Lt J W Brown (Kia) & Lt E J McCormick (Kia), 8 Sqn, BE2e 2555 – took off 08:40/09:40 then shot down by HA at O25c57 on artillery observation; Ltn Karl Allmenroder, Ja11, 14th victory [Guemappe at 10:30/11:30] ?

Flt Sub-Lt W R Walker (Pow), 3N Sqn, Pup A6158 – took off 10:20/11:20 and last seen near Ecourt St Quentin at 11:30/12:30; Oblt Heinrich Lorenz, Ja33, 3rd victory [south of Estrées at 11:35/12:35]

15 MAY 1917

General Headquarters, May 16th.

"One German aeroplane was driven down out of control yesterday. One of our machines is missing."

Artillery Co-operation — Thirty targets were dealt with by aeroplane observation and 66 by balloon observation.

Hostile aircraft –

Lt E J Grout & 2/AM A Tyrrell, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Fort Carnoy at 07:00/08:00
Lt A N Solly & 2/AM C Beminster, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Quesnoy at 07:00/08:00

While on line patrol, machines of 20 Squadron engaged seven HA near Quesnoy and 2nd Lt Grout & 2/AM Tyrell destroyed one HA, while a second was driven down out of control by Lt A N Solly & 2/AM C Bemister [sic].

Casualties –

Sub-Lt E J Grout (Pow) & 47292 2/AM A Tyrrell (Pow), 20 Sqn, FE2d A6446 – took off 05:34/06:34 and shot down on patrol Quesnoy; Ltn Joachim von Bertrab, Ja30, 5th victory [Quesnoy at 07:30/08:30]

2nd Lt J H de Conway (Wia) & ? (Ok), 15 Sqn, BE2e - ground fire

16 AND 17 MAY 1917

The weather was very bad and flying was practically impossible.

Casualties (17 May) –

Lt L A Fuller (Kia) & 320120 Cpl C Beauchamp (Wia), 11 Sqn, FE2b 7687 - seen overturned at 51BH24B on close patrol impossible to salve

Graeme