On this date three squadrons of Escadre De Chasse 1 (SPA48, 93 and 94) claimed at least three Fokker Dr1s in an air battle.
On this date Leutnant
Viktor von Pressentin gen von Rautter of Jasta 4 flying a Fokker Dr1 was killed while attacking Breguet bombers, probably Br29 at 1300 near Soissons.
Ltn Edouard Stratmann of Jasta 9 is given in one source as the victim of Br132 and is taken POW. Probably flying an Albatros or a Fokker DVII. I don't believe Jasta 9 had Fokker Dr1s but other sources credit him as the victim of SPA48. Jasta 36 lost a pilot KIA SW Soissons on this date. Jasta 36 definitely had some triplanes.
Escadrille SPA 48 claimed two Fokkers, one "Fokker" (triplane?) at Bergny and a Fokker Dr1 south of Soissons by Deguingand.
Escadrille SPA93 claimed a Fokker Dr1 at 1200 French time, 1300 German time, falling at Chaudun. Adj
Gustave Daladier was protecting the Breguet bombers of Br29, his victim had just shot down one of the bombers. Was this Von Rautter?
Escadrille SPA94 claimed a third at Amly (Amblemy?) near Taversive (?) in the afternoon. This one crashed in French lines.
Reading David Mechin's "WW2 French Aces Encyclopedia" (p288) I note that there's a dogfight that is described as occurring at about this date where the Escadrille 94 pilots claimed to have fought 12 Fokkers with chequered wings (or tails). That sounds like either Jasta 4 or Jasta 19 to me. It is recounted at a later date by
Pierre Marinovitch to Jacques Mortane, the French journalist.
However this could actually be the combat on June 1, 1918 where SLt Martenot de Cordoux and Adj Marinovitch claimed victories. The former's victory was later confirmed, although many sources give it as a "triplace" rather than a "triplan". The latter claimed probables but if Martenot's victory was confirmed Marinovitch would probably be credited also because if the above details are true then "Marino" would have been awarded a share. E.C.1 war diary appears to confirm it (see David Mechin's book cited above). Is this Ltn Rudolf Rienau of Jasta 19? Gregvan identified it in 2008
"On 1 June Martenot (de Cordoux) claimed another triplane, whose pilot, Ltd.d.R. Rudolf Rienau of Jasta 19,came down unhurt near Parcy, and rejoined his Staffel the next day.".
It looks to me that SPA48, 93 and 94 claimed the same triplane on May 31, 1918.
Comments etc gratefully received
Keith