Albatros D.V D7124/17

Frank_Olynyk · 8 November 2019, 08:59 AM

Gilles Collaveri on 12 O'clock High at http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=55457 has asked for information on the loss of Albatros D.V D7124/17. He has posted a photograph of the crashed aircraft, with a tank (said to be destroyed on July 23, 1918) in the background. Can anyone help him with further details?

Enjoy!

Frank.

Gregvan · 9 November 2019, 03:20 AM

Hi Frank,

It's rather difficult to comment, as I can't view the photo since I'm not registered on that forum. I don't suppose Gilles Collaveri could re-post the photo here?

Technically, D.7124/17 was an Albatros D.Va, not a D.V, from the last batch of 550 ordered from the parent Albatros Works (Johannisthal) in October 1917 (serials D.7000 to 7549/17). The famous "Stropp" Albatros D.Va held by the Smithsonian is from this same batch (D.7161/17).

D.7124/17 doesn't ring a bell with me, but my database of Albatros serials is far from being organized.

Greg

GILLESCOLLAVERI · 9 November 2019, 05:29 AM

Hi Guys,

here is the picture.

I was told that the tank (a Mark IV or V (female)) N° 9408 from 9e Bataillion was destroyed on 23 july 1918, in the North of Sauvillers-Mongival (Somme), 4 crews killed, 2 wounded.

This gives some background.

Anymore information on this albatros will be welcome, thanks in advance.

GC

R Gannon · 9 November 2019, 01:48 PM

Fascinating photo. Being an ex-tank man I have more than a passing interest in armoured warfare. I can quickly provide this from my own notes:

9 Battalion of the [British]Tank Corps was detached to support French 3 Division in an assault on Morieul - 11 of the 35 tanks employed were put out of action with 54 casualties among the crews, none the less it was a successful attack which resulted in 1,858 German pows being taken along with capture of 275 machine-guns & 5 field guns.

It was a day of high wind & rain so no aerial activity. The said Albatros must have been downed prior to this date. I'll look further into the mater and see what options there might be.

Russ

charles · 9 November 2019, 02:18 PM

I can not find any reference to this specific Albatros D.Va in my sources but we know it was built and, of course, from your photo we know it saw combat. I presume that the grave marker on the left in your photo is for the pilot. If this photo was sharper we might be able to make out the name on the grave marker.

R Gannon · 9 November 2019, 09:42 PM

It would have to be from a Jasta attached to German 18 Armee.

Russ

GILLESCOLLAVERI · 9 November 2019, 11:54 PM

good morning all,

I tried to zoom on the grave, with my home made devices,

the result is not outstanding but One could almost read the name.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your help, anyway.

All best

GC

Volker_Nemsch · 10 November 2019, 12:37 AM

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I think that it is possible that the Albatros D.Va D.7124/17 was shot down somewhere in April 1918 or before mid-May of the same year. The style of the national insignia (as they were used between 10. April and 15. May 1918) would confirm this. In early April the Unternehmen Michael had ended.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...April_1918.png

According to this map it is possible that the Jastas attached to both German armys (II. and XVIII, in early April their boundary was ending near Mailly-Raineval) could have fought in this area. Sauvillers-Mongival is located about 8 km south of Moreuil.

The German advance in this area was halted in early April 1918 (04.04.1918) and from that time onwards German troops tried to held the captured territory.

Jasta Armee Assignments as of 1. April 1918

II. Armee:
Jasta 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 16b, 34b, 37, 46, 54s, 56, 76b, 77b

XVIII. Armee:
Jasta 8, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22s, 24s, 44s, 48, 53, 62, 63, 68, 69, 72s, 79b
(source: The Jasta War Chonology)

In March/April 1918 the Albatros fighter still was the major German fighter aircraft (plus the Pfalz D.III(a) and the Fokker Dr.I). This makes an identification really difficult.

.

Volker_Nemsch · 10 November 2019, 12:47 AM

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In the book "The Jasta War Chonology" I found a mention of a German pilot killed near Moreuil (page 163):

"23.04.1918, Uffz. Emil Dassenies of Jasta 13, killed in action at Moreuil, possibly by Br.127"

Just an idea...

.

R Gannon · 10 November 2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volker_Nemsch

.
In the book "The Jasta War Chonology" I found a mention of a German pilot killed near Moreuil (page 163):

"23.04.1918, Uffz. Emil Dassenies of Jasta 13, killed in action at Moreuil, possibly by Br.127"

Just an idea...

.

Hi Volker

Good to see your efforts. I rather thought some of the recognized experten might chip in.

Left to a mere pleb like me.

A little bit too south for my liking to suggest 2 Armee Jastas. Rather think Dassenies was likely flying a Fokker triplane - my own belief killed in combat with DH4s from 205 Sqn.

My own choice would be Ltn E Braasch from Js 68 kia on 11 Apr 18 - combat and downed SW Braches jenseits (Aubvillers); which is pretty much on the money for Sauvillers Mongival.

I make it a combat with Camels from 73 Sqn, an OP from which attacked four 2-seaters at 10,000ft five miles to SE of Villers Brettonuex at 19.10 only to be attacked in turn by nine to ten Albatros. They lost 2Lt RG Lawson (pow) who looks to have been credited to Ltn Putter, the SF of Jasta 68 - Sopwith-1 Villers aux Erables at 19.25. However Capt WH Hubbard, 2Lt G Pildich & 2Lt RN Chandler each sent Albatros down apparently OOC. Times were matched at this juncture.

Cheers Russ