100 years ago today - 31 May 1918

[Graeme]

FRIDAY, 31 MAY 1918

General Headquarters, June 1st.

“On May 31st our aeroplanes and balloons again carried out much successful work. During the morning our long-distance bombing machines crossed the Rhine, and, in spite of strong opposition from enemy aircraft, dropped over a ton of bombs on the station and workshops at Karlsruhe. One of the machines engaged in this raid failed to return. Another group of our aeroplanes dropped a ton of bombs on the railway triangle at Metz-Sablon with good effect and without loss. A further 31 tons of bombs were dropped by us in the course of the day on different targets behind the enemy's lines. Twenty German machines were destroyed in air fighting, and six were driven down out of control. One other hostile machine was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. One of our machines is missing. During the following night 16 tons of bombs were dropped by us, including 6 tons on Bruges docks and on the Zeebrugge-Bruges Canal. In addition, 4 tons of bombs were dropped on the railway junctions and stations at Metz-Sablon, Karthaus, and Thionville. All our night-bombing machines returned safely. One German night-bombing aeroplane was brought down in flames behind our lines."

RAF Communiqué number 9:

Weather fine, visibility fair.

Twenty-eight reconnaissances, five contact and counter-attack patrols.

One hundred and sixty hostile batteries engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, 16 neutralized, 126 zone calls sent.

Eighteen tons of bombs dropped by night and 32 tons by day.

Enemy Aircraft:

Enemy aircraft active in the morning, slight in the afternoon.

2nd-Lieut G B Coward & AAM1 G/L G F Briggs, 217 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames Zeebrugge -

Lieut L A Ashfield & Lieut B Russell, 202 Sqn, E.A. out of control Ostende -

Lieut C A Bridgland & 2nd-Lieut E R Stewart, 55 IF, E.A. out of control south-west of Karlsruhe -

Lieut J P West & 2nd-Lieut N M Dales, 88 Sqn, destroyed -

Capt E D Atkinson, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control east of Merris at 06:20/07:20 -

Capt E R Tempest, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-west of Steenwerck at 06:25/07:25 -

Capt G B Irving, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south-east of Estaires at 07:00/08:00 -

Lieut L H T Capel & Pbr F J Ralph, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Laventie at 07:30/08:30 -

Lieut D J Weston & Lieut W Noble, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control [by Weston] Estaires at 07:40/08:40 -

Capt T P Middleton & Lieut A Mills, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed south-west of Armentières at 07:40/08:40 -

Lieut J H Colbert & 2nd-Lieut P W Wilson, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Estaires at 07:45/08:45 -

Lieut P T Iaccaci & 1/AM A Newland, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames [by Newland] east of Merville at 07:45/08:45 -

Lieut J D I Hardman and Lieut L H Ray, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Armentières at 07:50/08:50 -

Lieut H E Faulkner and Lieut H A F Goodison, 23 Sqn, two-seater in flames south-east of Wiencourt at 07:55/08:55 -

Capt G B Irving, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Armentières at 08:00/09:00 -

Lieut A W Blake, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control west of Armentières at 08:00/09:00 -

Lieut P T Iaccaci & 1/AM A Newland, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed [by Newland] south of Merville at 08:00/09:00 -

Lieut A T Iaccaci & Sergt D A Malpas, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control [by Iaccaci] south-west of Armentières at 08:00/09:00 -

Lieut J H Siddall, 209 Sqn, LVG C destroyed Ovillers at 08:20/09:20 -

Lieut W A Smart, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Dranoutre at 08:50/09:50 -

Lieut V C Chapman, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Albert at 10:05/11:05 - Ltn Walter Boning, Jasta 76, Wia

Capt J Todd, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Albert at 10:05/11:05 - Vfw Georg Markert, Jasta 76, Kia

2nd-Lieut C H Dunster & Sergt J H Jones, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south-west of Armentières at 10:30/11:30 -

2nd-Lieut C H Dunster & Sergt J H Jones, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout destroyed south-west of Armentières at 10:30/11:30 -

Capt A C Atkey & Lieut C G Gass, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Armentières at 10:30/11:30 -

Capt A C Atkey & Lieut C G Gass, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Armentières at 10:30/11:30 -

2nd-Lieut L W King & Lieut J McDonald, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Neuve Chapelle at 10:30/11:30 -

Lieut T Rose, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Bois du Sart at 10:45/11:45 -

Lieut B A Walkerdine, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Monchy-le-Preux at 10:45/11:45 -

Capt C J W Darwin, 87 Sqn, LVG C destroyed Gentelles at 11:00/12:00 -

Capt W L Jordan, Lieut P M Dennett, Lieut R L Johns and Lieut J S McDonald, 208 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Merville at 11:10/12:10 - Ltn Grabe, Jasta 14, Dow

Capt A W Carter, 210 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed south of Estaires at 11:30/12:30 -

2nd-Lieut J Waugh & 2nd-Lieut E Walker, 18 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control south of Armentières at 12:00/13:00 -

2nd-Lieut J Waugh & 2nd-Lieut E Walker, 18 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control south of Armentières at 12:00/13:00 -

Capt A F W Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Beaufort aerodrome at 12:40/13:40 -

Lieut D A Macartney & Lieut G D Dardis, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control west of Bruges at 14:10/15:10 -

Lieut F Smethurst & Lieut E G T Chubb, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control west of Bruges at 14:10/15:10 -

Maj W A Bishop, 85 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Quesnoy at 15:05/16:05 -

Capt R H Rusby, 29 Sqn, Fokker DrI captured W Bailleul at 16:55/17:55 - Ltn d R Gerhard Schulte, Jasta 50, Pow, G/2Bde/13

2nd-Lieut J J Dawe, 24 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Bucquigny at 17:30/18:30 -

Lieut K B Watson, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed SE Bapaume at 17:50/18:50 -

Capt I D R McDonald, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Bucquigny at 17:50/18:50 -

Capt J Todd, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames SE Albert at 18:00/19:00 -

Lieut J H Colbert & Lieut A Mills, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames Armentières at 18:50/19:50 -

Lieut W M Thomson & 2nd-Lieut G H Kemp, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Bois Grenier at 18:50/19:50 -

Lieut A T Iaccaci & 2nd-Lieut E Hardcastle, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control by Iaccaci N Comines at 18:50/19:50 -

Lieut E Lindup & Sergt E A Deighton, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed south of Armentières at 18:50/19:50 -

Lieut W M Thomson & 2nd-Lieut G H Kemp, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Thomson Armentières at 18:55/19:55 -

Lieut P T Iaccaci & 1/AM S W Melbourne, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Iaccaci north-west of Armentières at 18:55/19:55 -

Lieut J I T Jones, 74 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Ploegsteert at 19:15/20:15 -

Lieut E C Bromley & Lieut J H Umney, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout destroyed Laventie at 19:15/20:15 -

Lieut F G Gibbons & Sergt J H Jones, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south-east of Armentières at 19:15/20:15 -

Capt O C Le Boutillier, 209 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Vauvillers at 19:20/20:20 -

Capt E Mannock, 74 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control north of Wytschaete at 19:40/20:40 - grey and black

Lieut D Lloyd-Evans, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed La Bassée at 19:40/20:40 -

Lieut W H Farrow, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed La Bassée at 19:40/20:40 -

Lieut C A Bissonette, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed La Bassée at 19:40/20:40 - collided with another Albatros?

Lieut C A Bissonette, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed La Bassée at 19:40/20:40 - collided with another Albatros?

Capt E D Atkinson, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed La Bassée at 19:40/20:40 -

Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed La Bassée at 19:40/20:40 -

Lieut W H Farrow, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control La Bassée at 19:42/20:42 -

Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control La Bassée at 19:42/20:42 -

Lieut J I T Jones, 74 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Ploegsteert at 19:45/20:45 -

Lieut J P Findlay & 2nd-Lieut G W Lambert, 88 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ostend at 19:50/20:50 -

Capt A Hepburn & 1/AM T Proctor, 88 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ostend at 19:50/20:50 -

Maj K L Caldwell, 74 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control west of Ploegsteert Wood at 19:50/20:50 -

Maj W A Bishop, 85 Sqn, Pfalz Scout broke up north of Estaires at 20:15/21:15 -

Capt D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Scout out of control north of Estaires at 20:30/21:30 -

Lieut C C Banks, 43 Sqn, Friedrichshafen G crashed at 23:50/00:50 -

more to come

[Graeme]

FRIDAY, 31 MAY 1918 - Ctd

Casualties:

Lieut D Knight (Ok), 1 Sqn, SE5a C6479 - wrecked in forced landing 200 yards from front line trenches west of Steenwerck with 3 Albatros on his tail after main tank hit during engagement over the lines on offensive patrol

2nd-Lieut H A Whittaker (Wia), 29 Sqn RAF, SE5a – combat?

Lieut F R Brand (Ok), 29 Sqn, SE5a D6159 - crashed on landing after undercarriage damaged by machine-gun fire on OP

Lieut J L K Anderson (Pow; dow) & 101947 Sergt H Nelle (Kia), 55 Sqn RAF, DH4 A7825 - shot down in flames Karlsruhe during bombing

Capt W A C Morgan MC (Wia), 79 Sqn RAF, Dolphin – combat?

Lieut L I A Peers (Ok) & 225673 1/AM D Wentworth (Ok), 98 Sqn, DH9 D1013 - hit by A.A. on bomb raid Bruges

2nd-Lieut W E Taylor (Kia), 70 Sqn RAF, Camel C8217 – took off 09:00/10:00 then believed to have been shot down south of Albert on COP; Vzfw Helmut Steinbrecher, Js46, 2nd victory [south of Albert, no time] ?

2nd-Lieut C L Frank (Ok), 70 Sqn, Camel D1925 – took off 09:00/10:00 then damaged in aerial combat on COP Albert area

2nd-Lieut O St C Harris (Ok) & Sergt C J Shannan (Ok), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7256 – took off 08:30/09:30 then badly damaged by E.A. fire during OP, returned aerodrome 10:50/11:50

Capt G D Horton (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut H J McConnell (Kia), 98 Sqn RAF, DH9 B7657 – took off 12:15/13:15 and last seen spinning to earth over Bruges after apparent hit by A.A. on bomb raid; Flgmt Franz Mayer, MFJ II, 3rd victory [Aertyke at 13:33/14:33] ?

Lieut R V Facey (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W E Barnes (Ok), 7 Sqn, RE8 B7717 – took off 12:35/13:35 then attacked by hostile aircraft and force landed after being shot through during artillery observation Sh28.b.22.c [north-west of Brielen]

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

Originally Posted by Graeme

FRIDAY, 31 MAY 1918


Lieut V C Chapman, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Albert at 10:05/11:05 - Ltn Walter Boning, Jasta 76, Wia

Capt J Todd, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Albert at 10:05/11:05 - Vfw Georg Markert, Jasta 76, Kia

Combining my various "Germanophile" sources , I come up with this:

Ltn Walter Boning, CO Js76, on Albatros D.Va 5765/17, severely WIA, lower left leg, 1815hrs, when shot down by a Camel after collision with Vfw Markert. Caught by a flight of 70 Sqn RAF, landed at his own base.

Vfw Georg Markert, Js76, KIA, 1815hrs, Fricourt, shot down in flames by a Camel of 70 Sqn after collision with Ltn Boning.

Times are ???


Tony

[MASTIFF]

Originally Posted by Graeme

FRIDAY, 31 MAY 1918

Capt R H Rusby, 29 Sqn, Fokker DrI captured W Bailleul at 16:55/17:55 - Ltn d R Gerhard Schulte, Jasta 50, Pow, G/2Bde/13

Another head-scratcher.

JWC has Ltn Rademacher, Js10, POW, on an Albatros D.V. (G/2/13). Bruce Robertson in BMAS shows G/2/13 as "Albatros Scout, 31.5.18, unsalvageable". (not a Dr.1)

To complicate things, TJP has Rademacher POW on 29 May 1918, on an Albatros D.Va.

Then ...

JWC has Ltn Gerhard Schulte, "taken prisoner of war", no other info.


Tony

[MASTIFF]

Jasta claims this date:

Uffz Michael Hutterer, Js23, SE5, S Arras, 1150hrs, zlg.

Ltn Viktor von Pressentin gen von Rautter, Js4, Breguet, SW Soissons, 1255hrs, 15th victory.

Ltn Ernst Udet, CO Js4, Breguet, SW Soissons, 1300hrs, 24th victory.

Ltn Hans Kirschstein, Js6, Breguet, near Grand Rozov, 1435hrs, 16th victory.

Ltn Hubert Helten, Js20, SE5, Laventie, 1640hrs, first victory.

Ltn Helmut Lange, Js26, Spad, S Longpont, 1705hrs, 3rd victory.

OfStv Otto Esswein, Js26, Spad, Mortefontaine, 1705hrs, 11th victory.

Vfw Christian Mesch, Js26, Spad, Compiegne Wald, 1706hrs, first victory.

OfStv Otto Essweim, Js26, Spad, Mortefontaine, 1710hrs, 12th victory.

Obltn Maximillian von Forster, Js27, Spad, W Soissons, 1810hrs, first victory.

Uffz August Eigenbrodt, Js7, Camel, Nieppe Wald, 1830hrs, first victory.

Ltn Heinrich Kroll, Js24, Breguet, Compiegne, 1830hrs, 24th victory.

ObFlgMstr Kurt Schonfelder, Js7, SE5, Nieppe Wald, 1840hrs, 7th victory.

Ltn Martin Skowronski, Js6, Breguet, Marizy St Mard, 1940hrs, first victory.

Hptm Wilhelm Reinhard, CO JG1, Spad, near Bonneserle, 1945hrs, 14th victory.

Ltn Ernst Bormann, Js2, Breguet, Taille-Fontaine, no time, zlg.

Ltn Alfred Lindenberger, Js2, Breguet, Villers Cotterets, no time, 4th victory.

Vfw Otto Konnecke, Js5, Dolphin, Morlancourt, no time, zlg.

Obltn Erich von Wedel, Js11, Spad, Bois de Barbillon, no time, 4th victory.

Vfw Dettmering, Js68, Breguet, Thennes, no time, 2nd victory.

Ltn Karl Menckhoff, Js72, Camel, Soissons, no time, 28th victory.

Ltn Hans von Dechend, Js72, Camel, Blangy-Tronville, no time, first victory.

Uffz Diem, Js76, Breguet, Hangard, no time, first victory.

Vfw Alfons Nagler, Js81, Spad, Romigny, no time, 2nd victory.

Ltn Herbert Knappe, CO Js81, Spad, Romigny, no time, 2nd victory.

Ltn Paul Blunk (TJP has Blunck), K1b, DH4, Dax-Landen, Karlsruhe, no time, first victory.


Casualties to follow.


Tony

[josquin]

Aircrew--64 Squadron:
Lt. D. Lloyd-Evans is Lt .(later Capt) Dudley Lloyd Evans (South Wales Borderers 2Lt & RFC/RAF)--the surname is unhyphenated. Born at Newport, Monmouthshire, 6 November 1895, the son of Thomas Lloyd Evans & Margaret Ann Evans, he wa lliving in Newport in the prewar years (1911 Census), was a RAF serving officer in the postwar years and W.W. II, and died at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, 20 March 1972. The following sources list his name as unhyphenated:
BMD Birth registry
Prewar census returns
Army Officer's service record (WO 339)
Medal Index Card (WO 372)
RAF Casualty card for an incident in 1922--listed as "ok"
all three award citations in the London Gazette (for M.C. & D.F.C. and Bar)
London Gazette notices of promotion 3 July 1925, 1 October 1937, 7 June 1940)
Gazette notification that he can retain the rank of Wing Commander, dated 1 February 1946, lists him as "Sqn. Ldr. (temp. Wg.Cdr.) D.L. Evans."
Complicating matters, his gravestone at St. Mary Magdalene's Churchyard, Boddington, Gloucestershire, states the hyphenated surname. Given the balance of documentation, I will go with the unhyphenated surname. Gravestones can err, as with Sgt. John Cowell, DCM & Bar, MM, whose census and marriage records as well as his award citations state his name as "John" (no second forename) yet his gravestone and communique entries list him as "J.J. Cowell."

Josquin

[MASTIFF]

Jasta losses this date:

Uffz Wilhelm Kutschera, Js3, KIA, Rumbeke, combat with Breguets. TJP has KIA, ground fire.

Ltn Viktor von Pressentin gen von Rautter (15 victories), Js4, in flames, KIA, 1300hrs, combat with Breguets.

Ltn Hans Schlomer (4 victories & 1 zlg), KIA, 1050hrs, Morlancourt.

Ltn Edouard Stratmann, Js9, shot down, WIA/POW, 10km SW Villers Cotterets.

Ltn Hans Grabe, Js14, severely WIA, DOW 6 June at Phalempin. TJP has DOW 7 June. Cotgas has 6 June.

Ltn Ulrich Buchholz, Js20, WIA, combat with SE5s, no other info.

Ltn Erich Kaus, Js30, WIA, combat with SE5s, no other info.

Uffz Heinrich Koch, Js36, KIA, Reims, SW Soissons, combat with a 2-seater.

Vfw Flatow, Js45, wounded in hand, 4 weeks leave to recover.

Uffz Schille (TJP has Schilli), Js47, lightly WIA, remained with Jasta.



Tony

[Graeme]

As josquin has noted, Dudley Lloyd Evans is listed as 'Lloyd-Evans' in all the Communique entries and as 'Dudley Lloyd Evans' in the Gazette, Air Force List, etc.

As ever, I'm quoting verbatim from the Communiques, having time only to correct glaring errors - once I've finish playing catch-up, I'll get round to tidying up my scribblings and post the updated versions.

Graeme

[James A. Pratt III]

NB
bomb ops 30/31 Etapes, Lillers St omer
loss 4 aircraft air combat 7 MIA and 6 balloons
claim 23 aircraft 1 balloon

5 Gp
202 Sqn recon Zeebrugge
bomb ops 217 Sqn Zeebrugge 98 Sqn Bruges

FASWC
balloon claims
Sgt Rousselle & MdL Cardon Spa 81 one balloon
Lt Leps & MdL Santelli Spa 81 one balloon
S/Lt Jobert & Lt Cauboue Spa 98 one balloon
Sgt Paulnier, S/Lt Jobert & Lt Cauboue Spa 98 one balloon
Sgt Aleppe & Cpl Geiger Spa 98 one balloon
Capt d' Humieres Spa 124 one balloon
Mdl Froissard & Sgt Gatineau Spa 157 one balloon
??? Escaud 2 one probable balloon

[James A. Pratt III]

FASWC and JWC
J 9 Stratmann POW possibly S/Lt Guibgand Spa 48
J 4 Von Rautter KIA possibly by Adj Maribnovich Spa 94
Uffz Hippolyt Kaminski KIA & Ltn Bake OK FAA 264 probably by Adj Daladier Spa 93 oo Adj Maricovich Spa 94
Sgt Richard Strunk & Ltn ERich Kulz FAA 242 both KIAs by Lt Campbell 94 US
Vfw ? & Ltn WIA both POW Faa 226 downed by ??? POW