100 years ago today - 13 November 1917

[Graeme]

TUESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1917

The weather was fine, but heavy ground mist prevented much work being done.

One reconnaissance was carried out by the 5th Brigade, two contact patrols by the 2nd Brigade and 189 photographs were taken.

Eleven hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, 10 of which were by the Fourth Army, which damaged eight gun-pits and caused four explosions and two fires.

One enemy machine was brought down by aeroplanes in the 4th Brigade area, and another was forced to land within our lines, after being hit by anti-aircraft of the Second Army. The machine was slightly damaged and the pilot unhurt (G.90).

Bombing – 1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron dropped four 112-lb bombs on Libercourt, two on Hénin-Liétard and four on Pont-à-Vendin. No 2 Squadron dropped six 25-lb bombs on Benifontaine.

5th Brigade: No 57 Squadron dropped one 230-lb, three 112-lb and eight 25-lb bombs on Roulers.

Brigades also dropped 43 25-lb bombs on various targets during the day.

RNAS - Weather conditions much improved, but not sufficiently so to enable photographic work to be carried out. Special W/T patrols and Fleet patrols were carried out.

E.A. was very active during the day, numerous encounters and indecisive combats taking place. During the morning, patrols from Nos. 1, 4 and 9 Squadrons, chased and engaged formations of Gothas, in one case the observer in the Gotha was probably killed by two pilots of No. 1 Squadron as he ceased firing after several attacks. In all encounters the E.A. were driven back over their lines.

Bombing raid by day - No 5 Squadron, D.H.4’s: at 1-30, Houttave Aerodrome was attacked by eight machines, three 65lb, eleven 50-lb, sixty-four 16-lb and two 10-lb bombs were dropped on objective. A number of bombs were seen to explode amongst, and in close proximity to the sheds, and one direct hit is reported on the sheds on the S. side of the road. A considerable number of E.A. were sighted but did not get near enough to attack our formation. All machines returned safely.

Enemy Aircraft

Enemy aircraft activity varied considerably, but on the whole was about normal.

Lt G A H Trudeau, 23 Sqn, EA out of control - Lt Trudeau, No 23 Squadron, drove down an enemy machine out of control

Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, two-seater crashed Moorslede at 10:35/11:35 – Capt P Huskinson, No 19 Squadron, saw a formation of 12 EA bombing machines coming west, so dived at one and after 150 rounds had been fired the EA went down in a slow glide to about 3000 feet, then went into a spin and crashed

Flt Sub-Lt G H D Gossip, 4N Sqn, Albatros C out of control south-east of Dixmude at 11:30/12:30 - a patrol from No. 4 Squadron, which went up to intercept E.A., observed two formations of Albatross Scouts, one of nine, and the other of six machines, closing on a formation of Pups and Camels. Flight Sub-Lieut. Gossip attacked two of the E.A., one was brought down completely out of control, in the second case the result was indecisive

Flt Sub-Lt C P Brown, SDF, Albatros Scout destroyed east of Nieuport at 11:45/12:45

2nd Lt T F Williams, 45 Sqn, Junkers JI (?) out of control north-west of Westroosebeke at 11:55/12:55 - 2nd Lt Williams, No 45 Squadron, drove an EA down out of control

Lt D'A F Hilton, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-west of Roluers at 12:00/13:00 - 2nd Lt Hilton, No 29 Squadron, shot down an EA scout apparently out of control

Capt B P G Beanlands, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout captured Schoorbakke at 12:30/13:30 - Maat Heinze, MFJ2, Kia [?],
Capt B P G Beanlands, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Schoorbakke at 12:30/13:30

A patrol of No 24 Squadron attacked eight enemy scouts and Capt Beanlands shot one down out of control, and in another fight drove one down which fell into a cloud and was seen by ground observers to crash

Flt Cdr H V Rowley, 1N Sqn, Aviatik C out of control south-east of Nieuport at 12:30/13:30 - Flight Commander Rowley of No. 1 Squadron, attacked an Aviatik, shooting him down completely out of control E. of Nieuport. The patrol also indecisively engaged a number of two-seaters and scouts during the day

Capt G A Hyde, 54 Sqn, DFW C out of control ? Lombartzyde at 13:00/14:00

2nd Lt E G H C Williams & 2/AM T W Jones, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-east of Ostende at 13:15/14:15 - Lt E Williams & 2/AM T Jones, No 48 Squadron, attacked an enemy scout which went into a spin and then fell apparently out of control

Capt R M Charley, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lombartzyde at 13:45/14:45

Flt Cdr J S T Fall, 9N Sqn, Albatros C out of control Slype at 13:45/14:45
Flt Cdr J S T Fall and Flt Sub-Lt A W Wood, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Pervyse at 14:35/15:35

During the afternoon, high offensive patrol, six Camels from No. 9 Squadron, had encounters with several Enemy machines. Flight Commander Fall and Flight Sub-Lieut. Wood attacked three Albatross Scouts. The rearmost machine was destroyed, followed down, and seen to crash in the floods. The machine hit a fence and turned over on its nose, partly upside down. This was confirmed by another pilot in the flight. On returning from replenishing ammunition, Flight Commander Fall attacked an Albatross two-seater, it was last seen at 500 feet spinning on its back completely out of control and was most probably destroyed

Maj A D Carter and Lt J G S Candy, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Comines at 14:45/15:45 - two other EA were driven down out of control; one by Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron and the other by 2nd Lt T Candy of the same squadron

2nd Lt W Beaver & 2nd Lt C J Agelasto, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Houthulst Forest at 15:00/16:00
Lt R K Kirkman & Capt L W Burbidge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Becelaere at 15:00/16:00

2nd Lts Beaver & Agelasto, No 20 Squadron, destroyed an Albatros scout near Houthulst, and another was driven down out of control by Lt Kirkman & Capt Burbidge, east of Passchendaele

Lt W A McMichael & 1/AM H Lindfield, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Ostende at 15:10/16:10 -

Capt W R Fish, 2nd Lt A L Cuffe, 2nd Lt H C Leese and 2nd Lt W A Tyrrell, 32 Sqn, two-seater out of control south-east of Houthulst Forest at 15:30/16:30

2nd Lt H M Moody, 45 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-east of Comines at 16:10/17:10 - 2nd Lt Moody, No 45 Squadron, drove an EA down out of control

Casualty

? (Ok) & 2nd Lt W J Matthews (Wia), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 -

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

German claims this date:

Ltn H Kroll, Js24, Camel, N Zillebeke See, 1435hrs, 14th victory.

Obltn H Auffarth, Js29, Sopwith, Blankaartsee, 1510hrs, 6th victory.

Ltn Clauss, Js29, RE8, W Blankaartsee, 1515hrs, first victory.

Obltn B Justinus, Js35, Camel, Boesinghe, 1655hrs, first victory.


Losses:

Ltn Hans Sakowski, Js14, on Albatros D.Va 5253/17, shot down by AA, POW at La Gorgue, 1203hrs. (G.90)

Uffz Theodor Seffzig, Js34, shot down, POW in combat with two Spads. Probably MdL Marcel Henriot (2nd victory) & MdL Georges Lienhard (1st victory) of N.65

JWC shows Heinze on an Albatros D.III (G.89) and POW.


Tony

[James A. Pratt III]

CGAS:
SS 1 Vfw Havel WIA German 4 Armee
Gefr Jakob? Gfroer FA 68 or FAA 282 WIA location ?

Ltn Konig (P) & LtndR Fromm (O) both WIA location ?

one or more a RFC claim

KG 1 3 KIA by Sgt Weekers 5 ESC BELAS can't tell if the attack by 1 N assisted

[R Gannon]

E.A. was very active during the day, numerous encounters and indecisive combats taking place. During the morning, patrols from Nos. 1, 4 and 9 Squadrons, chased and engaged formations of Gothas, in one case the observer in the Gotha was probably killed by two pilots of No. 1 Squadron as he ceased firing after several attacks. In all encounters the E.A. were driven back over their lines.

KG I bombed Furnes & De Panne just west of Nieuport. KG I/ks 4 crew kia Leffinghe (Nieuport) – also a Gotha was claimed of Sgt E Wekkers of Belg Esc 5

Lt G A H Trudeau, 23 Sqn, EA out of control - Lt Trudeau, No 23 Squadron, drove down an enemy machine out of control

Trudeau claim - Gheluveldt at 1430.

Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, two-seater crashed Moorslede at 10:35/11:35 – Capt P Huskinson, No 19 Squadron, saw a formation of 12 EA bombing machines coming west, so dived at one and after 150 rounds had been fired the EA went down in a slow glide to about 3000 feet, then went into a spin and crashed

The 12 EA comprised Gothas & 2-seaters flying at 7,000ft crossing lines heading towards Ypres (KG 4). Maj Carter & Lts Thompson, Holt, Candy & Bryson all had indecisives with 2-seaters driving them East, whilst Capt Huskinson and Lt de Pencier each engaged Gothas (sic). In addition to his 2-seater claim, Capt Huskinson fired 70rds at a Gotha over Ypres, before suffering a stoppage. Lt de Pencier chased his Gotha(sic) east to Moorslede before being driven off by 6 Albatros scouts. N’Blatt credits KG 4 (AEG’s) with bombing Ypres. Huskinson’s 2-seater possibly FA 45 (Ltn’s Konig & Fromm wia in airfight 4 ARMEE).

2nd Lt T F Williams, 45 Sqn, Junkers JI (?) out of control north-west of Westroosebeke at 11:55/12:55 - 2nd Lt Williams, No 45 Squadron, drove an EA down out of control

NOP led by Capt JC Firth attacked two 2-seaters (like RE8 - Junkerflugzeug – salmon coloured) at 1,500ft. Williams opened fire at 150yds closing to 40yds as he followed it down to 200ft by which time dense clouds of black smoke were issuing from it. He did not see it crash as he almost hit the ground himself. Capt Firth & Lt GH Booth confirmed Williams followed EA almost to the ground. Don't think this was a Junkers JI as such, but rather another name being floated by Intelligence, which has been applied to an unknown type of 2-seater biplane encountered. Possibly FA 45.

Lt D'A F Hilton, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-west of Roluers at 12:00/13:00 - 2nd Lt Hilton, No 29 Squadron, shot down an EA scout apparently out of control

Hilton fired 50rds at 50yds and EA fell into clouds at 600ft (confirmed by Capt Molesworth). Some though maybe for Js 37 Ltn Udet – apparently on the day he was awarded RK-OH (13 Nov) he attempted to attack a balloon near Houlthoulst, but was attacked by 5 SE5’s(?) and had to spin away. Became lost and ended up landing at a Bavarian FA aerodrome near Lens.

One enemy machine was brought down by aeroplanes in the 4th Brigade area, and another was forced to land within our lines, after being hit by anti-aircraft of the Second Army. The machine was slightly damaged and the pilot unhurt (G.90).

The reference in bold must reflect MFJ II FlgMt F Heinze pow wia on an Albatros DIII given G 89. Below are the contenders, all in the same close proximity.

Capt B P G Beanlands, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout captured Schoorbakke at 12:30/13:30 - Maat Heinze, MFJ2, Kia [?],
Capt B P G Beanlands, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Schoorbakke at 12:30/13:30
A patrol of No 24 Squadron attacked eight enemy scouts and Capt Beanlands shot one down out of control, and in another fight drove one down which fell into a cloud and was seen by ground observers to crash

Flt Sub-Lt C P Brown, SDF, Albatros Scout destroyed east of Nieuport at 11:45/12:45

Flt Cdr J S T Fall and Flt Sub-Lt A W Wood, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Pervyse at 14:35/15:35
During the afternoon, high offensive patrol, six Camels from No. 9 Squadron, had encounters with several Enemy machines. Flight Commander Fall and Flight Sub-Lieut. Wood attacked three Albatross Scouts. The rearmost machine was destroyed, followed down, and seen to crash in the floods. The machine hit a fence and turned over on its nose, partly upside down. This was confirmed by another pilot in the flight. On returning from replenishing ammunition, Flight Commander Fall attacked an Albatross two-seater, it was last seen at 500 feet spinning on its back completely out of control and was most probably destroyed

In regards 24 Sqn, this was 7 strong OP which engaged 8 Albatros scouts (above two 2-seaters) at 1130 resulting in Beanland’s first OOC. Then second engagement was with 6 Albatros scouts (18,000ft) at 1230 resulting in the second OOC.

Flt Cdr H V Rowley, 1N Sqn, Aviatik C out of control south-east of Nieuport at 12:30/13:30 - Flight Commander Rowley of No. 1 Squadron, attacked an Aviatik, shooting him down completely out of control E. of Nieuport. The patrol also indecisively engaged a number of two-seaters and scouts during the day

This was the last Sopwith Triplane claim. 1 Naval in process of converting to Sopwith Camels.

Flt Cdr J S T Fall, 9N Sqn, Albatros C out of control Slype at 13:45/14:45

F/C Fall attacked this 2-seater at 2,000ft firing 300rds and was last seen in a spin at 500ft – Fall having to beat a retreat on account of being attacked by 3 Albatros scouts. Schusta 1 Vfw Havel wia?

Capt G A Hyde, 54 Sqn, DFW C out of control ? Lombartzyde at 13:00/14:00
Capt R M Charley, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lombartzyde at 13:45/14:45

Think these are mistakenly attributed to 52 Sqn (sic) in Communiques. Capt Charley led his C Flight in attack on 5 2-seaters only to be attacked by 10 Albatros scouts; one of which he sent down apparently OOC.

The other machine noted down in British lines by AA was Js 14 Ltn H Sakowsky pow Alb DV 5253/17 G90 (photos).

Russ

[R Gannon]

Ltn H Kroll, Js24, Camel, N Zillebeke See, 1435hrs, 14th victory.

Obltn H Auffarth, Js29, Sopwith, Blankaartsee, 1510hrs, 6th victory.

Ltn Clauss, Js29, RE8, W Blankaartsee, 1515hrs, first victory.

Obltn B Justinus, Js35, Camel, Boesinghe, 1655hrs, first victory.

Kroll claimed a 'Sopwith' and was flying Pfalz DIII 4009/17.
Auffarth claimed a 'Sopwith' given jenseits.
Clauss claimed an 'RE' jenseits, &
Justinius claimed a Sopwith-1 & jenseits.

None of these match any RFC/RNAS casualties. Pointedly there was heavy ground mist making any claimed observation of 'crashes' as suspect.

Russ

[Barry Hickson]

Originally Posted by R Gannon

Kroll claimed a 'Sopwith' and was flying Pfalz DIII 4009/17.
Auffarth claimed a 'Sopwith' given jenseits.
Clauss claimed an 'RE' jenseits, &
Justinius claimed a Sopwith-1 & jenseits.

None of these match any RFC/RNAS casualties. Pointedly there was heavy ground mist making any claimed observation of 'crashes' as suspect.

Russ

So we can chalk up another 4 overclaims by the German Jastas.

[R Gannon]

I'm sure they were made in good faith; like the majority of British claims.

Russ

[centurion]

French claims [FASWC]:
Cpl Biddle of Spa73 and Sgt Turnure of Spa103 shared a Scout probable at 16.00, Passhendaele


Marco