100 years ago today (catching up) - 22 August 1917

[Graeme]

WEDNESDAY, 22 AUGUST 1917

General Headquarters, August 23rd.

“During the past week fighting in the air has been incessant and more severe than in any other similar period since the beginning of the war. Yesterday the activity of the enemy's aircraft was less marked, and his pilots appeared disinclined to engage when close to the lines. None tie less a great number of fights again took place, in which our machines were favoured by the change of wind. As the result of the fighting 12 German aeroplanes were brought down and six others were driven down out of control. Two of our machines are missing, one of which was seen to effect a landing on the beach at Ostend. Throughout yesterday's attacks our aeroplanes successfully co-operated with our artillery and infantry, and the usual bombing and reconnaissance work was also carried out. In the course of the day and night five tons of explosives were dropped on various objectives behind the enemy's lines.”

Anti-aircraft of the Second Army shot down a two-seater DFW which fell near Houthem.

Artillery Co-operation — 111 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction from aeroplane observation, and 55 by balloon observation.

Photography — 782 photographs were taken during the day.

Admiralty, August 23rd.

“A bombing raid by naval aircraft was carried out at three-o'clock yesterday morning (August 22nd) on Zeebrugge Mole, shipping and batteries, some hits being made. A raid was also made on Ghistelles aerodrome at 6.30 a.m., August 22nd, Bombs exploded near the western shed, and a fire was started. All machines returned safely.”

Photographic Reconnaissances in vicinity of Middlekerke by No 2 Squadron; plates successfully exposed. Fighter Patrols for protection of the Fleet and to intercept E.A. bombing England.

Flt Lt Kirby of the Walmer Defence Flight engaged and brought down a Gotha twin engine machine off Ramsgate in the sea.

Flt Cdr Hervey of Dover Aeroplane Station engaged and brought down a twin engine Gotha off Margate in the sea.

The Seaplane Defence Flight (on Air Bag Pups) at Dunkerque engaged 12 Gothas returning from the bombing raid, meeting them 30 miles out to sea, and chasing them to Zeebrugge, but with no decisive result.

A night bombing raid was carried out by No 7 Squadron. Fifty-four 112-lb and two 65-lb bombs were dropped on the Mole and batteries at Zeebrugge.

A day bombing raid was carried out by No 5 Squadron. Ten 65-lb and fifty-six 16-lb bombs were dropped on Ghistelles Aerodrome, causing a fire amongst the Western Sheds; three 65-lb and twenty 16-lb bombs were dropped on various objectives.

Flt Sub-Lt Sproatt’s engine failed early, so he flew back and got another machine, but was too late to catch the formation, so he attacked and drove down a hostile kite balloon near Leeke [Leke?] firing 300 rounds at it.

Four 16-lb bombs were dropped by reconnaissance machines of No 2 Squadron on some destroyers off the Coast, but although very close, did not hit them.

Enemy Aircraft - Enemy aircraft activity was great, but not as marked as on the last few days, and the Germans seemed disinclined to fight near the lines.

Pilots of the 9th Wing had a very great deal of fighting during the day with the result that four EA were destroyed, six driven down out of control, and three badly shot about and forced down. The four destroyed were by Capt G C Maxwell, Lts R Maybery, K Muspratt and C H Jeffs. The EA shot down by Lt Muspratt fell in our lines.

2nd Lt J Manley, 19 Sqn, EA out of control

Lt H Rothery, 29 Sqn, Balloon in flames north of Houthulst Forest - 2nd Lt H Rothery, 29 Squadron, shot down an enemy balloon north of Houlthulst Forest

Flt Cdr R B Munday, 8N Sqn, Balloon in flames

Capt A T Loyd, 32 Sqn, two-seater out of control Bellewarde Lake at 05:30/06:30

Lt W R G Pearson, 32 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bellewarde Lake at 05:30/06:30 - Lt W R G Pearson, 32 Squadron, attacked an Albatros scout which he shot down out of control

Lt C H Jeffs, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Gheluvelt at 06:15/07:15

2nd Lt F J Gibbs, 23 Sqn, DFW C destroyed Wervicq at 06:45/07:45 - 2nd Lt F Gibbs, 23 Squadron, attacked three DFWs over Wervicq and destroyed one, and on his way home he attacked a balloon and drove down an Albatros scout which was guarding it

Capt G J C Maxwell, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Houthulst Forest at 07:15/08:15

Capt G J C Maxwell, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Houthulst Forest at 07:15/08:15

Capt A Roulstone & 2nd Lt D W T Fox, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south-east of Carvin at 08:15/09:15 - a formation of 25 Squadron whilst on a bomb raid met 15 Albatros scouts which attempted to stop our machines from recrossing the lines, and Capt A Roulstone & 2nd Lt Fox shot one EA down in flames. All our aeroplanes returned safely

Capt C F Collett, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gheluvelt at 08:50/09:50

2nd Lt J A W Binnie & Cpl V Reed, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Ghistelles aerodrome at 09:00/10:00 - Ltn Egon Koenemann, Js2, Kia [?]
Lt R D Coath & Lt A D Light, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-west of Ostende at 09:00/10:00
Lt R E Dodds & Lt T C S Tuffield, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ghistelles aerodrome at 09:05/10:05
2nd Lt R L Curtis & 2nd Lt D P F Uniacke, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Ostende at 09:07/10:07
2nd Lt R L Curtis & 2nd Lt D P F Uniacke, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ostende at 09:08/10:08
Lt R D Coath & Lt A D Light, 48 Sqn, Bristol Albatros Scout out of control Slype - Westende at 09:15/10:15

Five Bristol Fighters of 48 Squadron engaged 20 EA over Ghistelles aerodrome and in the ensuing fighting two EA were seen to crash, one was shot down in flames, one was forced to land near the aerodrome, and three others were shot down out of control. 2nd Lt J Binnie & Cpl V Reed shot the EA down in flames; Lt A D Coath & Lt A D Light destroyed one and drove one down out of control, while 2nd Lts R V Curtis & D Uniacke destroyed the third

Flt Sub-Lt N M MacGregor, 6N Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up north of St Pierre Capelle at 09:45/10:45 - three EA were engaged by 6 Squadron RNAS, and Flight Sub-Lt N MacGregor shot down one which broke to pieces in the air; FlugObMt Luitjen Luitjens, MFJ I, Kia

Flt Sub-Lt A J B Tonks, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Ostende at 09:45/10:45
Flt Sub-Lt C R R Hickey, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Ostende at 09:45/10:45
Flt Sub-Lt G W Hemming, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Ostende at 09:45/10:45
Flt Sub-Lt G W Hemming, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Ostende at 09:45/10:45
Flt Sub-Lt A J B Tonks, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Ostende at 09:45/10:45
Flt Sub-Lt G W Hemming, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Ostende at 09:50/10:50

A large formation of 25 E.A. (scouts) were met by a double patrol of 10 machines of No 4 Squad., near Ostende, and a general engagement took place. Flt Sub-Lt Hemming engaged 3 E.A. consecutively two being shot down completely out of control, and possibly the third also. Flt Sub-Lt Tonks shot down one completely out of control, and possibly a second as well. Flt Lt Fisher and Flt Sub-Lt Hickey each got down one E.A. out of control, the latter and Flt Sub-Lt Daly possibly each shotting [sic] down another, but owing to very mixed fighting it is difficult to give details accurately. There were several other combats, but which cannot be considered decisive. All our machines returned safely, but several were much shot about,- Flt Lt Fisher’s machine having over 100 bullet holes in it, and both petrol tanks pierced. It is possible that this large formation was up to escort the bombers clear of the coast on their way to England

Flt Cdr Breadner and Flt Lt Fall of No 3 Squadron met part of the bombers on their return and opened fire on a Gotha, killing the Observer but failing to bring down the machine, which emitted puffs of black smoke.

Graeme

[Graeme]

22 AUGUST 1917 - Ctd

Lt W MacLanachan, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Douai - Hénin-Liétard at 10:10/11:10 - in the evening (?) a patrol of 40 Squadron engaged seven Albatros scouts and 2nd Lt W McLanachan drove one down out of control

Lt H C Ainger and 2nd Lt A A N D Pentland, 19 Sqn, two-seater forced to land north-east of Polygon at 10:25/11:25

Lt A E Godfrey, 40 Sqn, two-seater out of control Hulloch at 10:40/11:40 - 2nd Lt A E Godfrey, 40 Squadron, shot down an EA artillery machine out of control

Lt H E T Crocker & 2/AM H Lindfield, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Ghistelles at 14:40/15:40 - Lt H Crocker & Sgt H Lindfield, 48 Squadron, drove down one of eight Albatros scouts out of control

Flt Sub-Lt E T Hayne, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Middlekerke at 15:50/16:50
Flt Sub-Lt G B Anderson, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control St Pierre Capelle at 15:50/16:50

During a patrol, Flt Sub-Lt Hayne and Anderson each drove down an E.A. out of control

Capt G H Bowman, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Houthulst Wood at 17:20/18:20

Lt R L Graham, 19 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-east of Houthulst Forest at 17:45/18:45 - Lt R L Graham, 19 Squadron, attacked a two-seater EA north of Houlthulst Forest and shot it down out of control

2nd Lt R H Sloley, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 18:15/19:15

Lt V P Cronyn, 56 Sqn, DFW C crashed Zonnebeke at 18:35/19:35 - Lt V Cronyn, 56 Squadron, reported having shot down an EA out of control, and confirmation has been received from the Fifth Army anti-aircraft that this EA crashed

Capt P F Fullard, 1 Sqn, DFW C crashed Poelcapelle at 18:35/19:35 - Capt P F Fullard, 1 Squadron, dived at a two-seater and fired 75 rounds at close range and the EA was seen to crash by anti-aircraft observers of the Second Army

Lt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L F Ebbutt, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Auby - Douai at 18:45/19:45 - Lt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L Ebbutt, 11 Squadron, shot down an EA which fell and broke to pieces in the air [under the date of 23 August - Lt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt Ebbut, 11 Squadron, attacked eight Albatros scouts, and one EA was shot to pieces and crashed]

Lt R A Maybery, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Vierkavenhoek at 18:45/19:45

Lt R T C Hoidge, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Roulers at 18:45/19:45

2nd Lt G C Wood, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south of Middlekerke at 19:00/20:00 - 2nd Lt C G Wood, 54 Squadron, saw an Albatros scout attacking an RE8, so dived at it, opened fire, and the Albatros burst into flames and crashed [described as having black and white striped fuselage]

2nd Lt K K Muspratt, 56 Sqn, two-seater captured west of Zonnebeke at 19:15/20:15 - Gfr Otto Koch (Kia) & Ltn Albert Wolluhn (Kia), FAA 210[?],

Lt F H Bickerton, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control ? at 19:45/20:45

Casualties –

2nd Lt B C L Barton (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2318 – took off 17:35/18:35 then wounded in leg during combat on offensive patrol; Uffz Hans Horst, Js7, 2nd victory [Houthulster Wood at 18:45/19:45] ?

Lt H A Kennedy (Kia), 40 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B3473 – took off 17:40/18:40 and last seen diving on EA very low between Dourges and Douai on offensive patrol; Uffz Josef Funk, Js30, 2nd victory [south of Bauvin + Meurchin at 18:50/19:50] ?

? (Ok) & AG F J Moore (Wia), 21 Sqn, RE8 - wounded in shoulder by AA fire on Artillery Observation

? (Ok) & 2/AM S C Boxall (Wia), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B - wounded in foot on OP

2nd Lt H O Brown (Wia), 23 Sqn - wounded in leg in combat on OP

2nd Lt W D Bostock (Ok) & 2nd Lt J H R Price (Wia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7125 - damaged in aerial combat on OP Ostend etc

Capt J H T Letts (Ok) & Lt H R Power (Kia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7219 - shot up chasing Gotha

2nd Lt E H Garland (Pow), 66 Sqn, Pup B1767 - last seen landing east of Ostend after engine failure on special patrol of Belgian coast

Lt E M Letts (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2317 - crashed and completely wrecked landing at Sh28H20C64 on offensive patrol Lichtervelde - Roulers - Menin; Ltn Julius Schmidt, Js3, 12th victory [Ypres at 19:35/20:35] or Uffz Rudolf Besel + Uffz Duschner, Sc30, [Frezenberg at 10:30/11:30] ?

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

JWC has:

Ltn Egon Konemann, Js2, KIA over Lombardzyde, probably by F/S/Lt GB Anderson, 3 Sqn, RNAS.

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Claims this date:

Ltn O Kissenberth, Js23, AR2, Hohe 304, 1216hrs, 12th victory.

Obltn K Student, Js9, Nieuport, Hohe 304, 1540hrs, 5th victory.

Ltn R Wendelmuth, Js8, Nieuport, E Ypern, 1825hrs, 5th victory.

Obltn E Schleich, Js21, Caudron, Bourruswald, 7th victory.

Vfw K Thom, Js21, AR2, S Avocourt, first victory.

Ltn H Bussing, K4, Sopwith, Kaysersberg, 2nd victory. Lt du Plessis & Lt Sainte Claire-Deville, C.227, in flames.

Ltn H Hoyer, Js36, Sopwith, Houthulst Forest, unconfirmed.


Losses:

Ltn Wilhelm Gros (1 victory), Js17, KIA 1105hrs over Vlisseghem.

Vfw Jahnke, Js21, WIA. No other info.


Tony

[Graeme]

Tentative matches -

Ltn O Kissenberth, Js23, AR2, Hohe 304, 1216hrs, 12th victory - Ltn d R Otto Kissenberth; AR 205, Sgt A Saulière (Kia) + C 43 S/Lt Gautier (Kia).

Ltn R Wendelmuth, Js8, Nieuport, E Ypern, 1825hrs, 5th victory - Ltn d R Rudolf Wendelmuth; given variously as ‘Sopwith’ and ‘Nieuport’. I’ve got nothing that matches either type

Obltn Eduard Schleich, Js21, Caudron, Bourruswald, 7th victory - C 42, Sgt Cousin (Ok) + S/Lt M Fourment (Ok)

Vfw Karl Thom, Js21, AR2, S Avocourt, first victory - F 205, Sgt A Saulière (Mia) + C 43 S/Lt Gautier (Mia).

Ltn H Bussing, K4, Sopwith, Kaysersberg, 2nd victory. Lt du Plessis & Lt Sainte Claire-Deville, C.227, in flames - Ltn d R Heinrich Büssing.

Graeme

[James A. Pratt III]

FASWC:
Vfw Jahnke J21 WIA German 5 Armee Verdun area Lt Hay de Slade N86 Albatros D3 or Poste 48 DCA EA claims plus ??? 5 EA probable Verdun sector?

[James A. Pratt III]

FASWC has Lt Yves Garnier du plessix (P) KIA and Lt Charles Sainte Claire-Deville (O) KIA C 227 Sopwith by Bussing K4 on 21 Aug 17

S/Lt Janesse F 54 (O) KIA MS Parasol
Sgt Guillien R 213 (G) KIA letord both this day I don't have locations of the units and can't say if either of them could be Obltn Student J9 German 7 Armee claim for a Nieuport

[James A. Pratt III]

The German torpedo boat A-44 was badly damaged in a air attack at Zeebrugge . No doubt by 7Ns O/400s

[centurion]

2nd Lt B C L Barton (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2318 – to 1AD, repaired [“The Camel file”, www.airhistory.org.uk]
Lt E M Letts (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2317 – to 1AD, SOC 26.08.1917 [“The Camel file”, www.airhistory.org.uk]


French claims [FASWC, albindenis.free.fr]:
Adj-Chef Fonck of N103 claimed a 2 seater destroyed in flames at 9.00 E of Ypres

Belgian claims [The Belgian Air Service in WW1]:
S/Lt E. Thieffry of 5me Escadrille attacked two of 6 D and claimed one of these destroyed at 10.15 over Beerst (8 victory) – This was L. Luitjens of MFJ1, KIA.


Marco

[R Gannon]

Flt Sub-Lt N M MacGregor, 6N Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up north of St Pierre Capelle at 09:45/10:45 - three EA were engaged by 6 Squadron RNAS, and Flight Sub-Lt N MacGregor shot down one which broke to pieces in the air; FlugObMt Luitjen Luitjens, MFJ I, Kia

I fully concur, this was almost certainly FlgObmt Luitjans kia of MFJ I - killed as result of airfight near St Pierre Capelle at 1030 GT - todlich abgesturzt.

I see Marco quoting the Belgian Air Service book which would see this loss awarded unreservedly to Lt Thiefrey - whose claim was over Beerst, some 8km to south and at 1015, which would be 1115GT. Again I would say another case of tunnelled vision perhaps?

Luitjens of course was a famous name, a later namesake led the Bismarck & Prinz Eugen on Operation Rheinubung in May 1941 - the foray into the North Sea which saw the sinking of HMS Hood and then the Bismarck - Admiral Luitjens going down with his flagship.

Russ

[R Gannon]

Five Bristol Fighters of 48 Squadron engaged 20 EA over Ghistelles aerodrome and in the ensuing fighting two EA were seen to crash, one was shot down in flames, one was forced to land near the aerodrome, and three others were shot down out of control. 2nd Lt J Binnie & Cpl V Reed shot the EA down in flames; Lt A D Coath & Lt A D Light destroyed one and drove one down out of control, while 2nd Lts R V Curtis & D Uniacke destroyed the third

A large formation of 25 E.A. (scouts) were met by a double patrol of 10 machines of No 4 Squad., near Ostende, and a general engagement took place. Flt Sub-Lt Hemming engaged 3 E.A. consecutively two being shot down completely out of control, and possibly the third also. Flt Sub-Lt Tonks shot down one completely out of control, and possibly a second as well. Flt Lt Fisher and Flt Sub-Lt Hickey each got down one E.A. out of control, the latter and Flt Sub-Lt Daly possibly each shotting [sic] down another, but owing to very mixed fighting it is difficult to give details accurately. There were several other combats, but which cannot be considered decisive. All our machines returned safely, but several were much shot about,- Flt Lt Fisher’s machine having over 100 bullet holes in it, and both petrol tanks pierced. It is possible that this large formation was up to escort the bombers clear of the coast on their way to England

Whilst on 'known' German losses/downing's, the 4 Naval claims likely reflect the loss of Js 17's Ltn W Gros given as kia in an airfight at 1050GT Vlisseghem - again total wreck. The 4 Naval claims were 0945-0950BT. A reminder that the Germans were on Central European time and the Allies on Western European time - one hour earlier.

I have it that the two 4 Naval formations were down to 4 machines each at the time of the combat, and they joined in the fighting against the large EA formation in the wake of the 48 Sqn fighting.

I don't know how the Js 17 book writes this one up.

I notice that Graeme has the Js B loss of Ltn E Konnemann kia (Lombardzyde) as a possibility for the 48 Sqn claims (last claim of Coath & Light would be best fit location wise), but as we do not have a time for this loss, one must also consider the 54 Sqn claim (Albatros scout in flames) of 2Lt CG Wood (see Graeme's 2nd list). I have it that the RE8 he went to the rescue of was from 52 Sqn and as noted the Albatros had black & white stripes - there is certainly a photo of a Js B machine painted this way circa this period. Middlederke is of course 5km north of Lombardzyde.

I notice that JWC suggests the Albatros OOC claim of 3 Naval's FSL GB Anderson (St Pierre-Capelle 1550) in relation to Konnemann loss, but I feel this is the weakest of the claims in this coastal area (did not even make Graeme's list).

As noted in Communique's it is likely the large concentration of German fighters, was up to cover the return of KG III Gothas's returning from a raid on England.

Russ