100 years ago today - 7 June 1917

[Graeme]

7 JUNE 1917

General Headquarters, June 8.

"During the battle our aircraft yesterday co-operated very successfully with both infantry and artillery, performing valuable services. In addition, a large number of successful air raids were carried out, during which the enemy's aerodromes, balloons, trains, billets, depots, and troops were attacked with bombs and machine guns. The enemy aircraft were prevented from taking part in the battle. We accounted for 12 German machines brought down and eight others driven down out of control. Fourteen of our machines are missing."

Artillery Co-operation — 247 targets were dealt with by aeroplane observation and 2 7 by balloon observation.

Hostile Aircraft -

Considerable fighting took place between machines of 9th Wing and HA formations, and as a result of combats Captain E W Broadberry, 56 Squadron, Lt J M Child, 19 Squadron, and Captain J O Andrews, 66 Squadron, each destroyed an HA, while four others were driven down out of control; one by each of the following; 2nd Lts A P F Rhys Davids and H Rogerson and Captain Broadberry, all of 56 Squadron, and 2nd Lt Taylor, 66 Squadron.

Lt R S Asher, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control

Capt D A L Davidson and Capt A B Wright, 23 Sqn, HA crashed - six Spads of 23 Squadron encountered a formation of HA and in the ensuing combat Captains D A L Davidson and A B Wright drove down one HA and Captain Wright fired into it as it fell from close range and the HA crashed.

Lt H Rogerson, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 05:00/06:00

2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 05:00/06:00

Flt Cdr T F N Gerrard, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Ypres at 06:15/07:15

Flt Sub-Lt J T Nalper, 1N Sqn, crashed east of Ypres at 06:15/07:15

2nd Lt A E Godfrey, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Lille at 07:10/08:10 – HA dived out of the clouds and got on the tail of the leader of the OP. Godfrey got on the HA’s tail and fired ¾ drum at very close range. The HA stalled and went down on one wing, smoking badly, completely out of control as fgar as could be seen. This was witnessed by 2nd Lts Lemon, Thompson and Blaxland. This was later seen crashed on the ground by 2nd Lt Barlow.

2nd Lt C T Lally & 2nd Lt L F Williams, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Lille at 07:15/08:15
2nd Lt C T Lally & 2nd Lt L F Williams, 25 Sqn and Lt E Mannock, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Lille at 07:15/08:15 - ; Vfw Franz Eberlein, Jasta 33, Wia [?]

Lt C T Lally & 2nd Lt Williams, 25 Squadron, drove down one HA out of control and assisted in the destruction of another.

2nd Lt P G Taylor, 66 Sqn, two-seater out of control Gheluvelt at 08:00/09:00

Capt J O Andrews, 66 Sqn, two-seater crashed Gheluvelt at 08:00/09:00

Lt W F Anderson & 2/AM P Kirwan, 42 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames by Messines at 08:20/09:20 - while gaining height over Messines, they were attacked by three Albatros Scouts. Kirwan fired half a drum into one which imemdiately spun and dived out of control, bursting into flames before hitting the ground. Kirwan then fired at a second which immediately turned away with fabric splitting close to the centre sections; the third Albatros dived towards its own lines.

Flt Lt R Collishaw, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin - St Julien at 08:45/09:45

Capt E W Broadberry, 56 Sqn, two-seater out of control Ledeghem at 08:50/09:50

Capt E W Broadberry, 56 Sqn, two-seater out of control Poelcapelle at 08:50/09:50; Uffz Sonneborn & Flg Heuer, SS19, both Wia [?]

Flt Sub-Lt J E Sharman, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed near Moorslede at 09:00/10:00
Flt Sub-Lt J E Sharman, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed near Roulers at 09:00/10:00; Flgobmt Fritz Kühn, MFJ1, Kia [?]
Flt Sub-Lt G E Nash, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control St Julien at 09:00/10:00

An Offensive Patrol of 10 Squadron RNAS engaged 15 to 20 HA. Two HA were destroyed and three driven down out of control. Flight Sub-Lt E V Reid shot down one, Flight Sub-Lt J E Sharman destroyed a second and drove one down out of control, while the other two were driven down out of control by Flight Sub-Lts R Collishaw and G E Nash.

Lt J M Child, 19 Sqn, DFW CV crashed south-west of Menin at 09:15/10:15; Uffz Graatz & Ltn Brulle, FA18, both Kia [?]

Flt Sub-Lt E V Reid, 10N Sqn, Albatros C crashed Clerckem at 09:15/10:15

Lt L F Jenkin and Lt F Sharpe, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed Zandvoorde at 09:40/10:40 - Lts F Sharpe and L F Jenkin, 1 Squadron, dived at an Albatros scout which they destroyed

Flt Sub-Lt R R Thornley, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Hénin-Liétard at 10:15/11:15

Lt C A Brewster-Joske, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed Wervicq - Comines at 10:30/11:30

Lt H B Redler, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Ypres at 11:00/12:00 – dived on three Albatros Scouts and engaged the highest machine, firing 80 rounds up to 60 yards’ range. The Albatros partially stalled, side-slipped and then went down, apparently out of control. Witnessed by 2nd Lt W T Walder; FlgObmt Fritz Kühn, MFJ1, Kia [?]

Lt C A Lewis, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq at 12:00/13:00

Capt W J Cairnes, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Warneton at 13:20/14:20

Lt F Sharpe, 1 Sqn, Balloon in flames Quesnoy at 13:25/14:25

Capt F J H Thayre & Capt F R Cubbon, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Houthem at 17:00/18:00 - an Offensive Patrol of 20 Squadron drove down an HA which was seen to crash; Ltn d R Ernst Wiessner, Jasta 18, Kia

Graeme

[Graeme]

Part 2

Casualties –

Capt D C Rutter MC (Kia) & Lt J B Jackson (Kia), 43 Sqn, Strutter A8221 – took off 04:10/05:10 then missing after firing at troops south-east of Ypres; ground fire

2nd Lt Count L I Di Balme (Pow), 23 Sqn, Spad VII B3460 – took off 04:22/05:22 and last seen after a fight on offensive patrol Roulers; Gefr Hermann Brettel, Ja10, 1st victory [Rumbeke - Warneton at 06:20/07:20] ?

2nd Lt Hon S H D'Arcy (Wia) & Lt A E Pickering (Ok), 43 Sqn, Strutter A8248 – took off 04:30/05:30 then force landed Ploegsteert Wood after pilot wounded, hit telegraph wires and overturned during offensive action against infantry 05:30/06:30

2872 Sgt L Gray (Pow) & 2nd Lt M F J Halliday (Kia), 6 Sqn, RE8 A3214 – took off 05:50/06:50 and reported by AA gunners to have been hit and crash on contact patrol

2nd Lt G H Pollard (Pow; dow) & 2nd Lt F S Ferriman (Kia), 57 Sqn, FE2d A1957 – took off 06:10/07:10 then missing from bomb raid Château Du Sart; Uffz Josef Heiligers, Ja30, 1st victory [Kölberg at 07:30/08:30] ?

Capt H Jackson (Wia; Dow), 41 Sqn, FE8 6437 – took off 06:18/07:18 then hit by shell fire on OP Ypres

2nd Lt G C Stead (Pow), 23 Sqn, Spad VII B1527 – took off 06:30/07:30 then last seen low down apparently under control after being attacked on offensive patrol to Bonjous; OffStllv Max Muller, Ja28, 15th victory [Comines - Warneton at 07:15/08:15] ?

2nd Lt F W Illingworth (Pow), 23 Sqn, Spad VII B1524 – took off 06:35/07:35 then last seen in fight near Bonjous on offensive patrol; OffStllv Paul Aue, Ja10, 5th victory [Coucou at 07:15/08:15] ?

Lt A P Mitchell (Pow), 46 Sqn, Pup A6157 – took off 09:10/10:10 and last seen in combat with a formation of 10 HA on southern offensive patrol 10:30/11:30; OffStllv Max Muller, Ja28, 16th victory [south of Roulers at 10:45/11:45] ?

Lt J W Shaw (Pow), 40 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B1674 – took off 09:50/10:50 then missing on offensive patrol Lille – Ypres; Flgmt Paul Künstler, MFJ I, 2nd victory [Gheluveld] ?

2nd Lt N B Hair (Pow), 41 Sqn, FE8 6465 – took off 11:10/12:10 and appeared to make a good landing on enemy side of lines on low central patrol Comines

2nd Lt W G Milliship (Kia), 1 Sqn, Nieuport 17 A6676 – took off 13:17/14:17 then last seen in clouds during balloon attack Quesnoy - Wervicq 13:25/14:25; Hptm Gustav Stenzel, Ja8, 4th victory [west of Gheluvelt at 13:45/14:45]

Lt B S Marshall MC (Kia) & 11192 2/AM C Lloyd (Pow), 20 Sqn, FE2d A6403 – took off 15:17/16:17 then missing from offensive patrol; anti-aircraft fire

2nd Lt A J C Phillippo (Kia) & Lt F V Durkin (Pow), 6 Sqn, RE8 A4210 – took off 15:50/16:50 then seen to crash at Hollebeke East on photographic-reconnaissance; Ltn d R Ernst Wiessner, Ja18, 5th victory [Hollebeke at 16:10/17:10] ?

2nd Lt R A Powell (Wia) & ? (Ok), 3 Sqn, Morane P – hit by anti-aircraft fire on Artillery Observation

? (Ok) & 2nd Lt G C C Girvan (Wia), 6 Sqn, RE8

? (Ok) & Lt C E Williamson-Jones (Wia), 6 Sqn, RE8

2nd Lt J R Wilson (Wia), 6 Sqn, RE8

Capt L P Prior (Wia; Dow), 6 Sqn, RE8

Lt W F Anderson (Ok) & 65465 2/AM P Kirwan (Ok), 42 Sqn, RE8 A3487 - damaged by HA during photography

2nd Lt W G Breen-Turner (Ok) & Lt R S Rudd (Ok), 42 Sqn, RE8 A4213 - two tail pieces shot away force landed in shell hole at 28T23 on contact patrol

2nd Lt A E J Dobson (Kia) & 2nd Lt G A H Davies (Kia), 45 Sqn, Strutter A8296 - crashed at Sh28O31d75-15 on road west of Deulemont on patrol

Lt W R Winterbottom (Ok) & Lt Ward (Ok), 45 Sqn, Strutter A8788 - shot through and struck roadway on landing from photo escort

2nd Lt F P Brown (Wia) & 2nd Lt H E Wells (Wia), 53 Sqn, RE8 A3240 - made vertical nose-dive into shellhole at I26C76-62 after being brought down by HA on flash reconnaissance at 18:05/19:05

Lt N J Wenger (Inj) & 2nd Lt E B Hamel (Inj), 53 Sqn, RE8 A4308 - got into spinning nosedive and force landed N32C2045 after left wing hit by own shellfire on contact patrol

Lt C C Knight (Ok) & 2nd Lt J C Trulock (Ok), 55 Sqn, DH4 A2159 - shot through on bombing raid Ramegnies Chin aerodrome

Lt E G Leake (Wia) & ? (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8

2nd Lt R M Marsh (Pow), 66 Sqn, Pup A7314 - missing from offensive patrol Houthulst Forest - Roulers - Menin – Quesnoy; Vfw Hans Oberländer, Ja30, 2nd victory [south of Roulers at 10:45/11:45] ?

2nd Lt A V Shirley (Ok), 66 Sqn, Pup B1719 - longeron and main spar shot through on offensive patrol

Flt Sub-Lt J F Nalder (Wia), 1N Sqn, Triplane N5484 – combat with two HA east of Ypres 06:15/07:15 and force landed Tenbrielen

Flt Sub-Lt J H Keens (Wia), 10N Sqn, Triplane N5361 – shot up on OP

Graeme

[James A. Pratt III]

JWC :
Ltn P Lohmann J14 WIA J14 was attached to the German 5 Armee in the Verdun area
FASWC has only probable this day the closest to Verdun were Adj Cael & Adj Bonnecarre of N102 French 4th Armee according to a French map the Armee sectors do overlap for a time in 1917.

[MASTIFF]

Other claims this date:

JWC has the Shaw loss credited to Flgmstr O Haggenmuller, MFJ1, 1205hrs, Bixschoote, 2nd victory. Kunstler claim shown as a Nieuport, Gheluvelt, no time given.

Ltn zS G Sachsenberg, MFJ1, Pup, Potyze, 5th victory. No. 3 Sqn RNAS. No other info.
Ltn zS G Sachsenberg, MFJ1, FE2d, St Eloi, 4th victory. A6403, 20 Sqn , 2/Lt BS Marshall & Pvt C Lloyd, departed at 1517hrs, both KIA.
Ltn zS G Sachsenberg, MFJ1, Sopwith, Gheluvelt, unconfirmed.


Losses:

Ltn P Lohmann, Js14, WIA. No other info.


Tony

[R Gannon]

Casualties –

Capt D C Rutter MC (Kia) & Lt J B Jackson (Kia), 43 Sqn, Strutter A8221 – took off 04:10/05:10 then missing after firing at troops south-east of Ypres; ground fire

2nd Lt Hon S H D'Arcy (Wia) & Lt A E Pickering (Ok), 43 Sqn, Strutter A8248 – took off 04:30/05:30 then force landed Ploegsteert Wood after pilot wounded, hit telegraph wires and overturned during offensive action against infantry 05:30/06:30

The two above casualties were part of the Special Missions plan for the 7 June assault. Six 43 Sqn Strutters were sent out early to staffe German troops on Messines ridge.

Also sent out on early low missions were two 66 Sqn Pups, two 1 Sqn Nieuports, two 41 Sqn FE8's, one 19 Sqn SPAD & one 56 Sqn SE5. Of note 56 Sqn's Lt LM Barlow attacked both Bisseghem & Reckem aerodromes flying at 50ft, however, unlike as in the case of the 2 June/Bishop affair, which inspired it, no aircraft were to be found outside their hangars that early. Barlow had to content himself with firing a few bursts at the hangars. Lt GS Buck of 19 Sqn attacked Marcke aerodrome at 800ft, but did come upon a 2-seater trying to get airborne which he caused to FTL. Lts Montgomery & Bell-Irving of 66 Sqn shot up parties of infantry marching on roads along with a staff car and four gun teams near Dadizeele.

These efforts would be repeated on the morning of 31 July (first day of Third Ypres) in even greater strength, but it was quickly realised that such machines needed to carry bombs in order to do any worthwhile damage.

2872 Sgt L Gray (Pow) & 2nd Lt M F J Halliday (Kia), 6 Sqn, RE8 A3214 – took off 05:50/06:50 and reported by AA gunners to have been hit and crash on contact patrol

I believe this machine went down in flames, and I suspect it might reflect the 'flamer' credited to the 42 Sqn crew of Anderson & Kirwan, who were attacked by 3 HA scouts (see Graeme's claims list). Not a blue on blue, but rather what was seen to burst in flames near the ground, was more likely the 6 Sqn RE8 hit by ground fire, and not the HA scout which spun & dived away.

Capt H Jackson (Wia; Dow), 41 Sqn, FE8 6437 – took off 06:18/07:18 then hit by shell fire on OP Ypres

One of the Special Missions and the real dangers of own shell fire.

Russ

[R Gannon]

2nd Lt Count L I Di Balme (Pow), 23 Sqn, Spad VII B3460 – took off 04:22/05:22 and last seen after a fight on offensive patrol Roulers; Gefr Hermann Brettel, Ja10, 1st victory [Rumbeke - Warneton at 06:20/07:20] ?

Di Balme was part of a 6 strong B Flight OP that was attacked by HA scouts (Js 10). RPS shows he was attacked by 4 of the HA, his engine hit and FTL near Roulers. No doubts Gefr Brettle credited (Spad diesseits) - he posed for photo with B3460.

The noted dual claim (Alb scout crashed) of Capt Wright & Capt Davidson was in this fight. So too an Alb scout OOC claim by 2Lt DP Collis (B1530) SSE Roulers, 0510.

2nd Lt G C Stead (Pow), 23 Sqn, Spad VII B1527 – took off 06:30/07:30 then last seen low down apparently under control after being attacked on offensive patrol to Bonjous; OffStllv Max Muller, Ja28, 15th victory [Comines - Warneton at 07:15/08:15] ?

2nd Lt F W Illingworth (Pow), 23 Sqn, Spad VII B1524 – took off 06:35/07:35 then last seen in fight near Bonjous on offensive patrol; OffStllv Paul Aue, Ja10, 5th victory [Coucou at 07:15/08:15] ?

Both were part of a 4 strong A Flight OP (Led by Capt CKC-Patrick) which attacked 3 HA scouts only to be bounced by more.

Illingsworth wounded in lungs and FTL crashed near Menin, which justifies the Js 10 claim of Ostv Aue (Coucou was near Menin).

Stead's tanks were hit and his was wounded in forehead and unconscious but none the less effected a FTL. Interestingly Capt CKC-Patrick attacked the HA (Ostv Muller) attacking the Spad of Lt Stead and forced it to land!

Both claims were diesseits.

Russ

[R Gannon]

2nd Lt G H Pollard (Pow; dow) & 2nd Lt F S Ferriman (Kia), 57 Sqn, FE2d A1957 – took off 06:10/07:10 then missing from bomb raid Château Du Sart; Uffz Josef Heiligers, Ja30, 1st victory [Kölberg at 07:30/08:30] ?

The old C&C GB casualty lists gives this FE as being part of 25 Sqn.

What is certain in that a 5 strong C Flight 40 Sqn led by Lt EC Mannock escorted 25 Sqn FE's on a bombing mission to Chateau du Sart.

In relation to Graeme's claim data;

Mannock attacked a HA scout attempting to attack the lead FE (2Lt's Lally & Williams?) firing 30rds - the Albatros, described as red, green, blue & yellow, turned upside down and fell in a spinning nose dive - confirmed by Lts Blaxland & Lemon.

As stated Godfrey fired 3/4 Drum at his HA (silver wings brown fuselage), which had dived out of a cloud to attack the leader (Mannock?). It went down OOC smoking and as stated, was confirmed to have crashed by 2Lt Barlow.

One of these two claims was clearly Js 33's Vfw Eberlien wia (N of Lille).

There is the problem of shape changing with the Js 30 claim, N'blatt gives FE, Koelberg whilst Kofl 6 seems to think it was a Sop-1 Warneton.

Russ

[R Gannon]

Lt A P Mitchell (Pow), 46 Sqn, Pup A6157 – took off 09:10/10:10 and last seen in combat with a formation of 10 HA on southern offensive patrol 10:30/11:30; OffStllv Max Muller, Ja28, 16th victory [south of Roulers at 10:45/11:45] ?

Interesting one, as stated Mitchell's OP engaged 10 HA scouts between Wervicq to Comines. His RPS tells a familiar tale, he was the rear man attacked by a HA scout, got separated and set upon by 4 to 5 HA, wounded, & ftl crashed 10 miles (16km) east of Ypres - read basically 16 Km German side. Ostv Muller of Js 28 would appear to have got the nod from Kofl 4, even though the actual claim was for a Spad-1, but at the same time & location there is a paid Kofl 6 claim by Vfw Oberlander of Js 30, variously given as a Sop-1 & Nieuport-1 SE Roulers 1145! Remember Mitchell noted being attacked by 4-5 HA. Both given as diesseits. What I would suggest will be a not uncommon occurrence; different Kofl's double booking the same downed Allied machine.

In the same fighting Capt CA Brewster-Joske (from Fiji Isalnds) claimed to have crashed an Albatros scout. I don't have the 46 Sqn Lt RS Asher claim, but it might reflect a Driven Down from same fighting.

Russ

[MASTIFF]

Originally Posted by R Gannon

Lt GS Buck of 19 Sqn attacked Marcke aerodrome at 800ft, but did come upon a 2-seater trying to get airborne which he caused to FTL.

Interesting ... some would have us believe that Bishop would not have found aircraft out of the hangars that early on 2 June. But no problem for others to find targets.

Cheers,
Tony

[Graeme]

Checking about F.E.2d A1957 throws up conflicting information.

It was one of a batch of 35 F.E.2ds given the serials A1932 to A1966; 16 of these went to No 57 Sqn

In TSTB, Trevor gives A1957 as being No 57 Squadron's last casualty before re-equipping with the D.H.4; the F.E.2 book also shows A1957 as being with No 57 Sqn from delivery to loss.

However, I've also got a note that it was still on No 57 Sqn's strength by mid-March but with No 25 Sqn by 1 June.

Curiouser and curiouser; I'll have to do some more digging.

Graeme