100 years ago today - 17 June 1918

[Graeme]

MONDAY, 17 JUNE 1918

General Headquarters, June 18th.

“On June 17th the enemy's machines were active on the northern portion of the British front, and there were many combats in the air, in the course of which we destroyed 25 German aeroplanes and drove three more down out of control. One hostile balloon was shot down in flames. The usual observation and photographic work was carried on by our aircraft until stopped by thunderstorms in the afternoon. Twenty tons of bombs were dropped during the day on the enemy's railway stations, junctions, dumps, and aerodromes, and a further 9 tons during the following night. Five of our aeroplanes are missing."

RAF Communiqué number 12:

Weather, fine in morning; some thunder in afternoon.

Sixty-five reconnaissances, nine contact and counter-attack patrols.

One hundred and thirty-four hostile batteries engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, 13 neutralized, 97 zone calls sent.

On the 17th instant, 72 hostile batteries engaged for destruction with balloon observation and fire observed on 182 other targets.

Enemy Aircraft:

Activity was considerable on north of British front.

Capt D W Davies & Sergt G/L G I White, 217 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control -

Lieut H S Round & 2nd-Lieut W Taylor, 202 Sqn, Scout crashed east of La Panne -

Lieut A S Cunningham-Reid, 85 Sqn, two-seater crashed east of Bailleul at 06:45/07:45 -

Lieut E W Springs, Lieut J McG Grider and Lieut J D Canning, 85 Sqn, two-seater crashed south of Merris at 06:45/07:45 -

Lieut A T Iaccaci & Corpl A Newland, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Houthem at 07:15/08:15 -

Lieut P T Iaccaci & Lieut W Noble, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Houthem at 07:25/08:25 -

Lieut L H T Capel & Corpl E A Deighton, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control [by Capel] north of Comines at 07:40/08:40 -

Capt D Latimer & Lieut T C Noel and Lieut W M Thomson & Pbr F J Ralph, 20 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Boesinghe at 07:45/08:45 -

Lieut L M Price & 2nd-Lieut E Hardcastle, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed north-west of Armentières at 07:45/08:45 -

Lieut L H T Capel & Corpl E A Deighton, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed north-east of Gheluvelt at 07:55/08:55 -

Lieut K T Campbell and Lieut C H Strickland, 210 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up south-east of Zillebeke Lake at 08:00/09:00 -

Lieut E Swale, 210 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Zillebeke Lake at 08:00/09:00 -

Capt R M Foster and Lieut R D Gracie, 209 Sqn, LVG C captured north of Ailly-sur-Noye at 08:30/09:30 - Uffz Paul Dierck (Kia) & Ltn Fritz Podlech (Kia), FA 241[?]

Lieut B Roxburgh-Smith, 74 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed south-east of Dickebusch Lake at 08:45/09:45 -

Capt D A Stewart & Capt L I Collins, 18 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Loos at 08:50/09:50 -

Lieut A E Reed, 29 Sqn, Albatros C crashed east of Merville at 09:10/10:10 -

Lieut C J Venter, 29 Sqn, Albatros C crashed east of Merville at 09:10/10:10 -

Lieut W G Claxton, 41 Sqn, Balloon in flames Chuignes at 09:15/10:15 – a hostile balloon was shot down in flames by Lieut W G Claxton, No 41 Squadron

Lieut J A Gordon, 41 Sqn, Balloon in flames Chuignies at 09:15/10:15 -

Capt G B Irving, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south of Armentières at 09:15/10:15 -

Capt R A De L'Haye, 19 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Lens at 09:20/10:20 -

Lieut W F Leach, 19 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control north-west of Douai at 09:20/10:20 -

Capt F A Laughlin & Lieut H Tasker, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Inchy - Moevres at 09:40/10:40 -

Lieut C H Roberts & Sergt Mech G W Slater, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Inchy - Moevres at 09:40/10:40 -

Sergt Mech H W Bush & Sergt Mech J Reay, 98 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Inchy - Moevres at 09:40/10:40 -

Capt J V Sorsoleil, Lieut C F Falkenberg and Lieut A F Matthews, 84 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Chaulnes at 09:40/10:40 -

Capt E Mannock, 74 Sqn, Halberstadt CL crashed Armentières at 09:45/10:45 - Silver coloured

Lieut W G Claxton, 41 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Combles at 09:45/10:45 -

Capt F M Kitto, 54 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Le Bizet at 10:00/11:00 – E.A. crashed ?

Maj W A Bishop, 85 Sqn, two-seater in flames Hooglede at 10:25/11:25 -

Capt C S T Lavers, Lieut H B Bradley, Lieut F A S Nesbitt and Lieut E M Newman, 1 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control Ploegsteert at 10:30/11:30 -

Maj W A Bishop, 85 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Sailly-sur-Lys at 10:50/11:50 - Sergt Willi Kahle, Jasta 27, Kia

Lieut J H Spence, 54 Sqn, Fokker DVII crashed Hooge Wood at 10:50/11:50 -

Maj W A Bishop, 85 Sqn, two-seater crashed Laventie at 10:55/11:55 -

Lieut C E Walton, 23 Sqn, Capt I D R McDonald, Capt G O Johnson and 2nd-Lieut H D Barton, all 24 Sqn, Fokker DVII captured Cachy at 12:00/13:00 - Ltn Kurt Wusthoff, Jasta 15, Pow

2nd-Lieut W C Lambert, 24 Sqn, Fokker DVII in flames Villers Brettonneux at 12:00/13:00 -

2nd-Lieut W C Lambert, 24 Sqn, Fokker DVII broke up Villers Brettonneux at 12:00/13:00 -

Capt H A Patey, 210 Sqn, Fokker DVII destroyed south-east of Zillebeke Lake at 15:00/16:00 -

Capt C J Marchant and Lieut A L Aldridge, 46 Sqn, Scout out of control Bailleul at 16:50/17:50 -

Capt C J Marchant, Lieut J K Shook and Lieut P M Tudhope, 46 Sqn, Fokker DVII out of control smoking Estaires at 17:05/18:05 -

Lieut H G Watson, 4 AFC, Pfalz Scout out of control east of Laventie at 19:50/20:50 -

Lieut H G Watson, 4 AFC, Pfalz Scout in flames east of Laventie at 19:50/20:50 -

Capt A H Cobby, 4 AFC, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Laventie at 20:00/21:00 -

Capt A H Cobby, 4 AFC, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Laventie at 20:00/21:00 -

Lieut A M Phillips & Sergt G I White, 217 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Zeebrugge - Ostende at 20:15/21:15 -

Capt D A Stewart & Capt L I Collins, 18 Sqn, Pfalz Scout broke up Hulloch at 20:45/21:45 -

2nd-Lieut A Pickin & Sergt W N Dyke, 18 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Hulloch at 20:45/21:45 -

Casualties:

2nd-Lieut J H Jennings (Wia), 2 Sqn RAF, AW FK8 - ground fire

Lieut D P Laird (Ok), 19 Sqn, Dolphin C4062 - shot down and force landed near Ricqiunghem [Racquinghem?] on offensive patrol

Lieut R H Davis (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut B Rider (Ok), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B C914 - force landed near Querrieu after engine seized due radiator shot by A.A. fire on OP Villers Bretonneux

2nd-Lieut C F S Wilson (Wia), 84 Sqn RAF, SE5a - anti-aircraft fire

Capt J Gamon (Wia) & ? (Ok), 205 Sqn RAF, DH4 D9277 – shot up by anti-aircraft fire during bombing

Lieut H N Lett (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J S Muir (Wia), 211 Sqn, DH9 C1168 - observer wounded in encounter with E.A. on bomb raid

2nd-Lieut W J T Atkins (Pow) & 8592 Sgt J H Read (Pow), 98 Sqn RAF, DH9 B9332 – took off 07:15/08:15 then attacked by E.A. and brought down during bombing

Lieut D A MacCartney (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut J R Jackman (Pow; dow), 98 Sqn RAF, DH9 D1694 – took off 07:15/08:15 then attacked by E.A. and brought down during bombing

2nd-Lieut K T Campbell (Kia), 210 Sqn RAF, Camel D3381 – took off 07:00/08:00 then shot down by E.A. at Sh36b.30.C.96 [south-west of Bois Grenier] 08:00/09:00 on offensive patrol

Lieut C H Strickland (Wia), 210 Sqn, Camel D3424 – took off 07:00/08:00 then force landed Sh36b.S.9.c.29 [north-west of Rocourt St Laurent] 08:00/09:00 after wounded in aerial combat on offensive patrol

These two often said to be the victims of:

Uffz August Eigenbrodt, Js7, 2nd victory [Dickebusch Lake at 07:00/08:00]
Ltn d R Max Hillmann, Js7, 1st victory [Dickebusch Lake at 07:00/08:00]

But times and locations are not good matches

Lieut P C Michell (Ok), 54 Sqn, Camel D6410 – took off 08:50/09:50 then shot by E.A. fire on offensive patrol

Lieut J S Turnbull (Kia), 41 Sqn RAF, SE5a D3955 – took off 09:15/10:15 and last seen diving on hostile balloon near Chuignes on offensive patrol Albert; Ltn d R August Delling, Js34, 4th victory [south-east of Villers-Bretonneux at 10:00/11:00] ? Chuignes is north-east of Villers-Bretonneux

2nd-Lieut F W Leach (Wia), 19 Sqn, Dolphin C4228 - shot down near Loos 09:20/10:20 on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Johannes Werner, Js14, 7th victory [Loos at 09:15/10:15]

Lieut Johnson (Ok) & Lieut A J Viveash (Ok), 13 Sqn, RE8 B2300 – took off 09:20/10:20 then strut smashed by enemy A.A. fire 10:45/11:45 during photography

Lieut C E Walton (Ok), 23 Sqn, Dolphin C4185 - force landed Sh62d.N.28 [south of Blangy-Tronville] 12:15/13:15 after combat with E.A. on inner offensive patrol

2nd-Lieut G B Coward (Int) & Lieut J F Reid (Int), 217 Sqn RAF, DH4 A7935 - attacked by 4 E.A. over Zeebrugge 15:30/16:30 and last seen to turn steeply and dive in direction of Welland on bomb raid; Ltn d R Paul Achilles, SFS, 1st victory [Walcheren at 15:30/16:30]

Lieut H A P Estlin (Ok) & Lieut R A V R Scherk (Ok), 49 Sqn, DH9 D461 – took off 13:45/14:45 then shot through by A.A. fire during bombing Roye, returned aerodrome 16:05/17:05

Lieut H B Evans (Pow) & Lieut H S Collett (Pow), 148 Sqn RAF, FE2d A6409 – took off 22:20/23:20 then missing from night bombing Estaires

Graeme

[josquin]

Aircrew
98 Squadron:
2Lt William Thomas John Atkins (16/London Regiment 555464 Rifleman & General List
RFC/RAF 2Lt) not W.J.T. Atkins &
Sgt John Hayter Reed (Army Service Corps M2/075901 Pte & RAF 108592 Aerial Gunner)--not "Read" (AIR 79 service record says "James Hayter Reed)
13 Squadron:
Lt Thomas Alan Johnson (General List & RFC/RAF) kia 28 August 1918, aged 28 &
Lt Arthur James Viveash (Infantry Battalion 50159 Pte & RFC/RAF 2Lt)

Josquin

[MASTIFF]

Originally Posted by Graeme

MONDAY, 17 JUNE 1918


Maj W A Bishop, 85 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Sailly-sur-Lys at 10:50/11:50 - Sergt Willi Kahle, Jasta 27, Kia

Bishop's 64th victory. But definitely not Willy Kahle, who scored his 6th and final victory on 4 November 1918.

Peter Kilduff in his excellent "Billy Bishop Lone Wolf Hunter" suggests a match with Ltn Hans Georg von der Marwitz, CO Js30, WIA this date.


Tony

[MASTIFF]

Jasta claims this date:

Obltn Hermann Goering, CO Js27, Spad, Longpont-Ambleny, 0830hrs, 21st victory. Spad VII of Spa.93.

Ltn Rudolf Klimke, Js27, Spad, Longpont-Ambleny, 0830hrs, 9th victory. Spad VII of Spa.93.

Ltn Franz Brandt, Js27, Spad, Longpont, 0830hrs, 5th victory. Spad XIII of Spa.162.

Uffz Max Mertens, Js7, Dolphin, S Dickebusch Lake, 1015hrs. JWC Has this as a possibility for loss of Leach on C4228.

Flg Alfred Rudiger, Js59, DH9, Queant, 1025hrs, first victory. *
Obltn Fritz Krafft, Js59, DH4, Bapaume, 1030hrs, first victory. *

* JWC links these with Atkins/Read on B9332 and MacCartney/Jackman on D1694.

Vfw Emil Schape, Js33, balloon, Maignelay, 1130hrs, 3rd victory.

Ltn Georg Meyer, Js37, balloon, Allonville, 1500hrs, 6th victory. British balloon 29-13-5 (SR 9).

Ltn Ulrich Neckel, Js13, Spad, no time or location, 14th victory.

Ltn Wilhelm Leutsch, Js19, Spad, W Roye, no time, 2nd victory. Esc Spa.3.

Ltn Rudolf Rienau, Js19, Spad, W Roye, no time, 2nd victory.

Vfw Josef Schwendemann, Js41, Spad, no time or location, 6th victory.

Casualties to follow.


Tony

[MASTIFF]

Jasta losses this date:

Ltn Kurt Wusthoff, JGII, severely wounded in both legs when shot down. As per Graeme's post, a reminder that it was not only the Jagdstaffeln who "ganged up" to score a victory, a la Voss. At the time, Wusthoff was flying Heinrich Gontermann's D.VII 2469/18. I cannot find a "G" or capture number for this machine.

Ltn Hugo Schafer, Js15, shot down, motor hit in combat with SE5s.

Uffz Kurt Meinel, Js22, killed in collision over Thiesecourt.
Flg Fritz Moser, Js22, killed in collision with Meinel over Thiesecourt.

Obltn Maximillian von Forster (1 victory), killed in crash of a 2-seater, Mont de Soissons Ferme airfield.
Vfw Wilhelm Schaffer, Js27, piloting the aircraft above, also killed in crash.

Gefr Jakob Tischner, Js35, unsure if injured or killed. Landing a Roland (JWC says D.VIb, TJP has D.VIa 1205/18). Crashed into Pfalz D.IIIa (JWC says 8132/17, TJP has 1732/17). Both aircraft destroyed.

Sgt (?) Johann Braun, Js69, killed in collision with Gefr Stehling, also of Js69, Assainvillers. Stehling survived unharmed.


Tony

[Graeme]

Not sure where the link Bishop/Kahle came from - Kahle didn't arrive at Jasta 27 until 29 July! Plus, he survived the war!

I have no details of time or location for von der Marwitz's wounding, so a link with Bishop is a possibility.

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

Originally Posted by Graeme

Not sure where the link Bishop/Kahle came from - Kahle didn't arrive at Jasta 27 until 29 July! Plus, he survived the war!

I have no details of time or location for von der Marwitz's wounding, so a link with Bishop is a possibility.

Graeme

Hi Graeme,

Possibly from COTGAS, which has an entry for Kahle this date.

Peter has Marwitz WIA 1050hrs, Sailly-sur-la-Lys.

Tony

[Graeme]

I wonder if that is 10:50 British time or 10:50 German time?

Graeme

[MASTIFF]

Originally Posted by Graeme

I wonder if that is 10:50 British time or 10:50 German time?

Graeme

Appendix, page 159 "Time, air combat locations and German aircraft type designators appear as noted in Bishop's combat reports."

From that, I would assume 1050 British/1150 German.

Tony

[errolmartyn]

Originally Posted by Graeme

Capt J Gamon (Wia) & ? (Ok), 205 Sqn RAF, DH4 D9277 – shot up by anti-aircraft fire during bombing

Euan Dickson's log book:
Toke off 7.56 am, 7573, Robinson, 150 mins, 14,000'
[Leader] of Bombing raid on Chaulnes Rly Stn & dump
Capt J. Gamon wounded in head by A.A. which was plentiful and accurate.

Errol