100 years ago today (catching up ) - 23 September 1917

[Graeme]

SUNDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1917

General Headquarters, September 24th,

“On the 23rd inst. there was again a slight lull in aerial operations, though our aeroplanes and balloons continued to observe for our artillery. Successful bombing raids were also undertaken, in the course of which aeroplanes dropped 167 bombs on hostile billets, hutments, and aerodromes.

“In air fighting eight enemy machines were brought down and six were driven down out of control. Another hostile machine was brought down by us on the 22nd inst. in addition to those already reported for that day. Three of our machines are missing.”

Artillery Co-operation — 51 hostile batteries were successfully engaged from aeroplane observation, and 18 by balloons.

Admiralty, September 24th.

“With reference to the German wireless message reporting that an English monitor had bombarded Ostend, and that a few shells had struck the cathedral, killing seven and wounding 24 Belgians, a careful examination of the photographs taken of Ostend after the bombardment show no signs of a hit on the cathedral.

“On the other hand, the photographs indicate clearly that one floating dock has sunk and heeled over, one workshop in the dockyard has been completely demolished, and seven others damaged, and that a portion of one submarine shelter is missing.”

The RNAS reported the weather unfavourable. A Photographic Reconnaissance and Bombing Raid were attempted, but had to return. An Anti-Submarine Patrol was carried out but nothing was sighted.

Enemy Aircraft — Enemy aircraft activity was normal most of the day but slightly above normal at times.

2nd Lt G Ferguson & 2/AM Fry, 16 Sqn, DFW C out of control - 2nd Lt Ferguson & 2/AM Fry, 16 Squadron, drove down a DFW out of control

2nd Lt R M Strang, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control - on the 23rd, 2nd Lt R Strang, 19 Squadron, drove down an Albatros scout out of control

Flt Cdr S T Edwards, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed off Ostend at 07:50/07:50
Flt Sub-Lt J P Hales, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed Ostende - Dixmude at 08:15/08:15 - Ltn d R Hugo Jöns, Js20, Kia [?]
Flt Cdr S T Edwards, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Dixmude at 08:20/08:20 - Ltn d R Hugo Jöns, Js20, Kia [?]

Flight Cdr S T Edwards, 9 Squadron RNAS, destroyed two EA, and Flight Sub-Lt J P Hales of the same squadron destroyed one EA

Lt S J Sibley & 2nd Lt P N Shone, 48 Sqn, DFW C out of control Middlekerke at 09:55/09:55 - Lt S Sibley & 2nd Lt P Shone, 48 Squadron, shot down an EA two-seater out of control

2nd Lt P Wilson, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control at 10:35/10:35 - 2nd Lt P Wilson, 1 Squadron, drove down another [Albatros scout] out of control

Flt Sub-Lt G S Harrower, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Middlekerke at 11:00/11:00
Flt Lt H F Beamish, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Middlekerke at 11:00/11:00

Information being received that a large formation of 22 E.A. were near the lines, 14 Machines of No. 3 Squadron were sent to engage them. In the general melee which took place, it was difficult to see what happened, but Flight Sub-Lieut. Harrower and Flight Lieut. Beamish each shot down one E.A. completely out of control, and there were many other indecisive fights, the E.A. either diving or spinning away

A/Flt Cdr W M Alexander, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Houthulst Forest at 11:25/11:25 - Flight Cdr W M Alexander, 10 Squadron RNAS, shot down an EA out of control.

2nd Lt F Watts & 2nd Lt E Ripley, 53 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Kruiseecke at 11:30/11:30 - 2nd Lts F Watts & E Ripley, 53 Squadron, while on photographic work, were attacked by an Albatros scout but shot it down out of control

Flt Sub-Lt E I Bussell, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 11:30/11:30 -

Flt Sub-Lt H J T Saint, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 11:30/11:30 - Flight Cdr H J T Saint, 10 Squadron RNAS, shot down an EA out of control

2nd Lt A A N D Pentland, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Passchendaele at 12:00/12:00 - on the 23rd, 2nd Lt A Pentland, 19 Squadron, drove down an Albatros scout out of control

Capt A G Jones-Williams, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Zonnebeke - Langemarck at 12:45/12:45 - Capt A G Jones-Williams, 29 Squadron, shot down an EA out of control

Lt W MacLanachan, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-west of Hénin-Liétard at 15:30/15:30 - 2nd Lt W McLanachan, 40 Squadron, destroyed an EA

Capt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L A Powell, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Vitry at 16:25/16:25
Capt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L A Powell, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Vitry at 16:25/16:25
Sgt T F Stephenson & 1/AM S Platel, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Stephenson Vitry at 16:25/16:25

In a fight between an EA formation and four machines of 11 Squadron, Lt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L A Powell shot down two Albatros scouts out of control, while Sgt Stevenson & 1/AM Platel shot down a third out of control

Capt E Mannock, 40 Sqn, two-seater in flames near Oppy at 16:45/16:45 - Captain E Mannock, 40 Squadron, destroyed an EA

Lt R T C Hoidge, 56 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control north of Zonnebeke at 17:40/17:40

2nd Lt S J Gardiner, 56 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-east of Dixmude at 17:40/17:40

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, DFW CV destroyed north-east of Houthem at 18:00/18:00 - Uffz Rudolf Francke (Kia) & Ltn Gustav Rudolph (Kia), FA 6,
2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Ypres at 18:00/18:00 - two-seater?
2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids, 56 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed north-east of Ypres Salient at 18:00/18:00 - Ltn Werner Voss, Js10, Kia, G.72

Captain J T B McCudden, 56 Squadron, attacked an EA two-seater which he destroyed. He then saw an SE5 fighting an EA Triplane, so with the rest of his patrol dived at it, and for the next ten minutes the Triplane fought the five SE5s with great skill and determination. Eventually, however, it was destroyed by 2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids, 56 Squadron, who had previously driven down an EA two-seater out of control. The following is part of his report;

“The other EA scout now vanished, but the red-nosed Albatros and the Triplane fought magnificently. I got in several bursts at the Triplane without apparent effect, and twice placed a new drum on my Lewis gun. Eventually I got east and slightly above the Triplane and made for it, getting in a whole Lewis drum and a corresponding number of Vickers into him. He made no attempt to turn until I was so close to him I was certain we would collide. He passed my right-hand wing by inches and went down. I zoomed. I saw him next with his engine apparently off, gliding west. I dived again and got one shot out of my Vickers; however, I reloaded and kept in the dive. I got in another good burst and the Triplane did a slight righthand turn, still going down. I had now overshot him (this was at 1,000 feet), zoomed, but never saw him again. Immediately afterwards I met the red-nosed scout who was a short way south-east of me. I started firing at 100 yards. The EA then turned and fired at me. At 30 yards range I finished a Lewis drum and my Vickers stopped, so I dived underneath him and zoomed. When I looked again I saw the EA spiralling down steeply out of control."

Capt E H Johnston & Lt J A Hone, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-west of Lille at 18:30/18:30 - six Bristol Fighters of 20 Squadron engaged seven Albatros scouts near Lille. Capt E H Johnston & Lt J Hone, who led the formation, drove down one Albatros out of control and it was seen by anti-aircraft to crash

Casualties –

2nd Lt S L J Bramley (Kia) & 2nd Lt J M De Lacey (Kia), 57 Sqn, DH4 A7643 – took off 07:50/07:50 and last seen this side of lines near Hetsas at 08:30/08:30 during bombing of Hooglede; Ltn d R Werner Voss, Js10, 48th victory [Ledeghem - south of Roulers at 09:30/09:30] ?

Flt Sub-Lt G S Harrower (Wia), 3N Sqn, Camel B3894 – last seen in combat Middlekerke at 11:00/11:00; Ltn Franz Ray, Js28, 5th victory [north of Nieuport at 10:55/10:55]

2nd Lt H Rothery (Pow), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B3624 – took off 12:00/12:00 and last seen diving on 4 EA over Langemarck at 13:10/13:10 on offensive patrol

2nd Lt E Holdsworth (Kia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B3485 – took off 12:00/12:00 then wrecked at Sh28.I.16.B.73 (west of Hooge) at 13:30/13:30 after combat with EA on offensive patrol; oftren said to be Ltn Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, Js36, 20th victory [north of Warneton at 14:30/14:30] but time and location ?

2nd Lt J L Barlow (Kia), 40 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B1670 – took off 15:50/15:50 then crashed near Arleux at 17:30/17:30 after diving on EA on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Hermann Becker, Js12, 2nd victory [Oppy–Willerval-Gavrelle at 16:55/16:55] ?

2nd Lt H H Bright (Kia), 60 Sqn, SE5a B557 – took off 09:20/09:20 then fell into our lines on offensive patrol

2nd Lt G R Baynton (Pow), 32 Sqn, DH5 A9258 - last seen 1 mile west of St Julian on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Rudolf Wendelmuth, Js8, 9th victory [north of Ypres at 12:30/12:30] ?

Lt V P Cronyn (Ok), 56 Sqn, SE5a A4563 - shot through on offensive patrol Lichtevelde-Ledeghem-Ingelmunster

Lt R A Maybery (Ok), 56 Sqn, SE5a B1 - shot through on offensive patrol Lichtevelde-Ledeghem-Ingelmunster

Capt H A Hamersley (Ok), 60 Sqn, SE5a B539 - shot through and driven down by HA on 29 Sqn aerodrome during offensive patrol

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

Looking at JWC and TSTB Mark 1, it would appear that Rothery was the 9th victory of Wendelmuth, and Baynton his 10th. But time ??

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Other claims this date:

Ltn O Kissenberth, Js23, Spad VII, E Vauquois, 0815hrs, 16th victory.

Ltn O Kissenberth, Js23, Sopwith, Hohe 304, 0950hrs, 17th victory.

Ltn H Adam, Js6, RE8, N Ypres, 1045hrs, 20th victory.

Obltn K von Doring, Js4, Camel, Langemarck, 1130hrs, 8th victory.

Ltn R Wendelmuth, Js8, Sopwith (Nieuport?), Kruisstraat, 1230hrs, 9th victory.

Obltn zS K Mettlich, Js8, Sopwith, S Kruisstraat, 1230hrs, 5th victory.

Vfw W Seitz, Js8, Nieuport, St Jean, 1230hrs, 4th victory.

Ltn W Boning, Js19, Nieuport, Merlet-Muhle, (no time), 5th victory. Probably Nie 24bis, Esc N.96, Mdl J Petre, MIA.

Ltn W Boning, Js19, Nieuport, W Orainville, (no time), 6th victory. Probably Nie 24bis, Esc N.96, Cpl A Mulon (2 victories), MIA.

Ltn O Kissenberth, Js23, Caudron, Fort Marre, (no time), zlg.


Losses:

Ltn Werner Voss was flying Fokker FI 103/17 when KIA.


Tony

[Graeme]

Ltn O Kissenberth, Js23, Sopwith, Hohe 304, 0950hrs, 17th victory - C28, Adj J Sellier (Kia) + Lt P Janet (Kia) ? I have this as his 15th victory, his 17th not being credited until 2 October

Ltn H Adam, Js6, RE8, N Ypres, 1045hrs, 20th victory - no matching casualty.

Obltn K von Doring, Js4, Camel, Langemarck, 1130hrs, 8th victory - potentially SE5 B539, 60 Sqn RFC, Capt H A Hammersley (Ok) but without a time for the RFC casualty, no way of proving it.

Ltn R Wendelmuth, Js8, Sopwith (Nieuport?), Kruisstraat, 1230hrs, 9th victory - Jasta 8 made four claims (two by Ltn d R Rudolf Wendelmuth and one each by Oblt d R z S Konrad Mettlich and Vzfw Wilhelm Anton Seitz) all at 12:30 in the same vicinity; Rothery and Baynton are potential matches for two of these claims and I have nothing for the other two claims.

Graeme

[James A. Pratt III]

My notes also haveLtn Wendlemuth JB damaged possibly by 56 Sqn
Ltn Menckoff J3 WIA by Lt Rt Hoidge 45 Sqn

[James A. Pratt III]

FASWC:
Br 117 Cpl Pinatel WIA this unit is in the Verdun area J23 Kissenberth has a Spad VII claim and a Caudron zlg one could be the Br 117 WIA

[R Gannon]

2nd Lt R M Strang, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control - on the 23rd, 2nd Lt R Strang, 19 Squadron, drove down an Albatros scout out of control

I have it this claim was over Linselles.

Flt Cdr S T Edwards, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Dixmude at 08:20/08:20 - Ltn d R Hugo Jöns, Js20, Kia [?]

Following their first scrap over Ostend, 3 Albatros indulged in dive & zoom attacks on F/C Edwards 5 strong OP who were at 12,000ft, ‘The EA attacked repeatedly but pulled out before coming to close range..’ At length one got onto the tail of one of the Camels, ‘…I then got above the EA and fired until one gun jammed and the ammunition was finished in the other. The EA turned on his back in a vertical dive. I followed him down to 8,000 feet when his wings fell off. The machine fell somewhere close to the Yser Canal just north of DIXMUDE.’ Hand written note at bottom of CR says that it was confirmed crashed by Belgians. No doubt Js 20’s Ltn H Joens – reported down in airfight Dixmude total wreck.

2nd Lt P Wilson, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control at 10:35/10:35 - 2nd Lt P Wilson, 1 Squadron, drove down another [Albatros scout] out of control

His NOP attacked by 6 EA scouts at 8,000ft over Gheluveldt. One got onto tail of Nieuport of 2Lt Baker which was engaged by Wilson who fired 30rds – EA went down and crashed near Koelenberg, this was confirmed by Sgt Olley. Js 4 & Js 6 up and in this area this time frame.

Capt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L A Powell, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Vitry at 16:25/16:25
Capt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L A Powell, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Vitry at 16:25/16:25
Sgt T F Stephenson & 1/AM S Platel, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Stephenson Vitry at 16:25/16:25

In a fight between an EA formation and four machines of 11 Squadron, Lt A E McKeever & 2nd Lt L A Powell shot down two Albatros scouts out of control, while Sgt Stevenson & 1/AM Platel shot down a third out of control

A 4 strong 11 Sqn OP attacked 5 Albatros scouts with black tails (Js 12?) at 14,000ft. A nearby 41 Sqn patrol confirmed the OOC’s.

Capt E Mannock, 40 Sqn, two-seater in flames near Oppy at 16:45/16:45 - Captain E Mannock, 40 Squadron, destroyed an EA

Perplexing one; 5 strong OP led by Capt Mannock dived on a 2-seater at 7,000ft over Oppy, where Mannock apparently sent it down in flames and EA would seem to have been further confirmed as having broken up. Mannock was a reliable claimer, but where one would expect German fatalities, there are none. Fellow pilot 2Lt JL Barlow (5 victories) seen to dive on EA, but apparently crashed at Arleux a total wreck (British side just north of Oppy). 40 Sqn’s AM Gilbert in his memoirs was of the opinion that the wings of his Nieuport folded at 11,000ft. One has to suspect that it was his Nieuport which was seen to break up. There is of course the Js 12 claim of Ltn Becker for a Nieuport given jenseits at Oppy at 1655, which on the surface looks to fit, but there is no note by 40 Sqn of any combat with Albatros scouts. It may be that Becker ‘scalp hunted’ the not inexperienced Barlow unseen by his fellow flight members, or it may be that Becker’s claim relates to the slightly earlier 11 Sqn scrap at near by Vitry, but a ring around afterwards perhaps yielded word of a Nieuport crashing near Oppy at 1655????????????? Other pilots in Mannock's OP were G McElroy, WL Harrison & Herbert

More to come.

Russ

[R Gannon]

Lt R T C Hoidge, 56 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control north of Zonnebeke at 17:40/17:40
2nd Lt S J Gardiner, 56 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-east of Dixmude at 17:40/17:40
Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, DFW CV destroyed north-east of Houthem at 18:00/18:00 - Uffz Rudolf Francke (Kia) & Ltn Gustav Rudolph (Kia), FA 6,
2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Ypres at 18:00/18:00 - two-seater?
2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids, 56 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed north-east of Ypres Salient at 18:00/18:00 - Ltn Werner Voss, Js10, Kia, G.72

Captain J T B McCudden, 56 Squadron, attacked an EA two-seater which he destroyed. He then saw an SE5 fighting an EA Triplane, so with the rest of his patrol dived at it, and for the next ten minutes the Triplane fought the five SE5s with great skill and determination. Eventually, however, it was destroyed by 2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids, 56 Squadron, who had previously driven down an EA two-seater out of control. The following is part of his report;

JTB McCudden attacked the FA 6 machine at 3,000ft NE Houthem opening fire at 160yds and closing to 20yds; sending it down in a vertical dive into the ground. His flight then came under intense Flak fire as they flew north below clouds which were at 8,000ft.

The famous Voss fight unplugged - much myth has become attached to this fight, not in the least the impression that Voss fought alone against the odds, which is not strictly true - it began when three EA from a larger higher flying force of some 20 EA dived on the straggling SE5 of LT HA Hammersley just as the combined A/B 60 Sqn OP was just about to recross the lines. It looks to have been a fairly common German tactic; one suspects the rationale was that the enemy patrol would be low on fuel and therefore unlikely to make a fight of it. We now know the 3 EA comprised Voss (on F 103/17) in company with Ltn’s Bellen & Ruddeberg (both on Pfalz DIII’s). So initially it was 3 Germans against 1 Brit/Aussie. With numbers on his side, Voss duly began to shoot up Hammersley’s SE5, but Capt Chidlaw- Roberts hurried back, allowing Hammersley to get away, who landed his shot up B539 at 29 Sqn aerodrome at Poperinghe. Capt C-Roberts for his efforts was also shot up by the Triplane on B507 ‘A’(but not sufficiently so for a SOC).

JTB McCudden arrived at this moment with his diminished OP, which at this point only comprised himself, Rhys-Davids & Cronyn (I am yet to be convinced Muspratt was involved in the Voss fight, whilst Jeffs & Young had already dropped out). JTB for his part only reported a Triplane (driving down an SE5), a Fokker Biplane (read Pfalz DIII) and an Albatros (Js 8’s Ltn Wendelmuth?) – it would seem Ruddenberg had already dropped out, and anyway JTB reported the Fokker Biplane (Bellen?) ‘did not do much fighting’. So basically at this juncture it was 3 Germans against 3 British. In the initial B Flight attack, Cronyn’s engine chocked and Voss whipped around and shot up his A4563 ‘L’ (which was already Flak damaged).

Onto the scene came the fighting wedge of C/56 Sqn; Capt Bowman, Lt Hoidge & Lt Maybery (Gardiner had become separated straying north to engage the noted 2-seater) – they had already attacked 4 EA scouts over Westroosebeke, only to have 6 more come down on them (JdGp 15’s Js 3 & Js 8?). Lt RTC Hoidge shooting a bright green EA (Js 3 Vfw Menckhoff?) off the tail of Maybery’s SE5 - full drum of Lewis when at 2,500ft, EA still seen falling OOC at 1,000ft (no mention of it being a Pfalz, a type yet to be formally identified). By the time of C Flights arrival, only the red nosed Albatros (Wendlemuth?) was sticking it out with Voss. So it was 2 Germans against 5 British – JTB, Rhys-Davids, Bowman, Hoidge & Maybery (JTB CR says main fight involved 5 SE5’s, RD’s only notes himself, JTB, Hoidge & Maybery).

Moreover at no point did Voss get onto the tail of any of these SE5’s – JTB & Voss exchanged shots in a head on pass, whilst Maybery was briefly attacked by the red nosed Albatros, but he did a climbing turn out of the way. Hoidge got in burst at the Tripe when fit was flying end on at JTB, whilst Bowman got off 10 Vickers & 50 Lewis at the Tripe when his guns jammed and his engine lost revs. He got it to pick up, but had to quit the fight and recrossed lines at 1,500ft. Maybery got off 4 burst of Vickers at the Triplane. The rest is well told in the Communique blurb quoting Rhys-Davids CR

“The other EA scout now vanished, but the red-nosed Albatros and the Triplane fought magnificently. I got in several bursts at the Triplane without apparent effect, and twice placed a new drum on my Lewis gun. Eventually I got east and slightly above the Triplane and made for it, getting in a whole Lewis drum and a corresponding number of Vickers into him. He made no attempt to turn until I was so close to him I was certain we would collide. He passed my right-hand wing by inches and went down. I zoomed. I saw him next with his engine apparently off, gliding west. I dived again and got one shot out of my Vickers; however, I reloaded and kept in the dive. I got in another good burst and the Triplane did a slight righthand turn, still going down. I had now overshot him (this was at 1,000 feet), zoomed, but never saw him again. Immediately afterwards I met the red-nosed scout who was a short way south-east of me. I started firing at 100 yards. The EA then turned and fired at me. At 30 yards range I finished a Lewis drum and my Vickers stopped, so I dived underneath him and zoomed. When I looked again I saw the EA spiralling down steeply out of control."

The JG I KTB contained this report, ‘A report from Ltn Wenelmuth (Jasta 8) was that Ltn Voss was in air combat with a Sopwith when another pair shot him down. It was north of Frenzenberg (other side) where he crashed.’

Lt V P Cronyn (Ok), 56 Sqn, SE5a A4563 - shot through on offensive patrol Lichtevelde-Ledeghem-Ingelmunster
Lt R A Maybery (Ok), 56 Sqn, SE5a B1 - shot through on offensive patrol Lichtevelde-Ledeghem-Ingelmunster
Capt H A Hamersley (Ok), 60 Sqn, SE5a B539 -shot through and driven down by HA on 29 Sqn aerodrome during offensive patrol

Wendelmuth for his part was credited with a Sopwith-1 Frenzenberg jenseits 1830. One suspects this reflected the SE5 of Lt Maybery, possibly supported by a ground report of Bowman’s SE5 quitting the fight perhaps? Maybery’s B1 ‘K’ was indeed temporarily SOC, but clearly damage must be assigned to the bright green EA and/or the red nosed EA. Muspratt on A8944 ‘H’ landed at Bailluel aerodrome with a hole in his radiator, but as he did not file a CR, I continue to doubt if he was in the combat with Voss (Flak maybe?).

Russ

[R Gannon]

Casualties –

2nd Lt S L J Bramley (Kia) & 2nd Lt J M De Lacey (Kia), 57 Sqn, DH4 A7643 – took off 07:50/07:50 and last seen this side of lines near Hetsas at 08:30/08:30 during bombing of Hooglede; Ltn d R Werner Voss, Js10, 48th victory [Ledeghem - south of Roulers at 09:30/09:30] ?

DH4 part of a bombing raid on Hooglede – the others dropped 7x112lb & 6x230lb bombs on the target. Clearly another lone duck when scalp hunted.

Flt Sub-Lt G S Harrower (Wia), 3N Sqn, Camel B3894 – last seen in combat Middlekerke at 11:00/11:00; Ltn Franz Ray, Js28, 5th victory [north of Nieuport at 10:55/10:55]

As noted by Graeme 14 Camels sent off to engage large formation of 22 EA. As it was A,B&C/3 Naval engaged 15 Albatros scouts in 3 formations. Harrower got off a long burst at close range at his Albatros (OOC). In addition to his OOC, FSL Beamish drove a second Albatros down. Harrower wia in leg and according to Leonard Rochford safely landed at Bray Dunes (I chose the Sky). Rochford himself had driven down a DFW before the main fight. It would seem Harrower was claimed by Js 28’s Ltn Ray who claimed a Sopwith given jenseits.

2nd Lt H Rothery (Pow), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B3624 – took off 12:00/12:00 and last seen diving on 4 EA over Langemarck at 13:10/13:10 on offensive patrol

2nd Lt E Holdsworth (Kia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B3485 – took off 12:00/12:00 then wrecked at Sh28.I.16.B.73 (west of Hooge) at 13:30/13:30 after combat with EA on offensive patrol; oftren said to be Ltn Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, Js36, 20th victory [north of Warneton at 14:30/14:30] but time and location ?

Seems the OP attacked 3-4 EA over Langemarck (Schusta 10?) only to be attacked by more EA (Js 8?). Hollingsworth was most likely the victim of Js 8’s Vfw Seitz Nieuport-1, St- Jean 1230 jenseits. RPS Rothery says attack on 3-4 EA, then attacked from behind, tanks hit, FTL crashed NE Comines. Suspect his Nieup 27 was the Sopwith-1 intitially in N'Blatt as ‘not yet decided’ at Kruistraat (SE Gheluveldt) which was awarded to Js 8’s Obln Mettlich in the supplementary N’Blatt listing. But at same time Ltn Wendelmuth awarded a Sopwith-1, N Ypern given jenseits (not to be confused with 1830 claim). It would seem 29 Sqn’s Capt Jones-Williams sent an Albatros down OOC in this fighting.

2nd Lt H H Bright (Kia), 60 Sqn, SE5a B557 – took off 09:20/09:20 then fell into our lines on offensive patrol

Part of 4 strong OP led by Capt Caldwell – 40 EA seen and 9 engaged inconclusively – although he had seen service with 6 & 1 Sqns 1915-6, this was his first OP as a scout pilot, and again I don’t think anyone saw him shot down. He might have been downed by Js 4’s Obln von Doering – Sopwith- 1 given jenseits Langemarck at 1030, but there were also two ‘Sopwiths’ credited to the Schusta 10 crew of Uffz Noerthen & Gefr Wirth at nearby Boesinghe (would have to be jenseits) – time anyone?

2nd Lt G R Baynton (Pow), 32 Sqn, DH5 A9258 - last seen 1 mile west of St Julian on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Rudolf Wendelmuth, Js8, 9th victory [north of Ypres at 12:30/12:30] ?

No time for this one but RPS confirms this lone duck had a combat with EA German side; engine hit, ftl [intact] Comines (TSTBF II). I think the equally untimed Js 36 claim of Ltn H von Bulow for a ‘Nieuport’ N Warneton is most likely, despite the type claimed.

Russ

[centurion]

Flt Sub-Lt G S Harrower (Wia), 3N Sqn, Camel B3894 - to ADD repaired [“The Camel file”]

* FSL Bussell (Ok), 10N Sqn, Camel B6216 – combat with Enemy Scout 11.30, Badly shot up, Ftl, crashed Westrosebeke – to ADD, destroyed by fire 1.10.1917 [“A history of No. 10 Squadron RNAS”, “The Camel file”]


French claims [FASWC]:
- Adj-Chef Fonk of N103 claimed an Albatros D destroyed at 9.10 Foret d’Houthoulst
- S/Lt Covin, Adj Poreaux and MdL de Freycinet of N31 claimed a 2 seater destroyed at 12.50 Brimont

According to “The Belgian Air Service in WW1”:
* S/Lt C Ciselet of 5me Escadrille was shot down and badly wounded in combat with 5 Albatros Scout during an evening patrol (Spad VII Nr. Sp2)

Marco

[R Gannon]

Hi Marco

I rather thought I dealt with FSL Harrower.

Interesting in regards tunnelled vision - one tome attempts to award the FA 6 loss to Fonck, even thought there is a considerable location discord and not the least the very fitting claim by JTB McCudden.

Russ