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Thread: Camels in the Alps

  1. #1

    Default Camels in the Alps

    According to The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force by James J Halley:

    28 Sqn (Camel) arrived in Milan on 9 November 1917 and by 28 November had set up home at Grossa;
    34 Sqn (RE8) arrived in Milan on 13 November and also moved to Grossa on 28 November;
    66 Sqn (Camel) arrived in Milan on 22 November and moved to Grossa on 4 December;
    42 Sqn (RE8) arrived in Italy on 2 December and moved to Grossa on 17 December;
    45 Sqn (Camel) arrived in Padova on 20 December and set up shop at Istrana on 26 December;
    the other unit in Italy was 139 Sqn which formed at Villaverla on 3 July 1918.

    On 29 November 1917 an RE8 from No 34 Sqn, escorted by four Camels from No 28 Sqn, flew a photographic reconnaissance mission over the Montello front. The escort was led by one Capt W G Barker who estimated that the Camels were attacked by about twelve Albatros DIVs and reported “I dived on one & fired about 50 rounds and he went down in a vertical dive. I followed & as he flattened out at 5,000 feet I got a burst of about 80 rounds at close range. His top right wing folded back to the fuselage and later the lower wing came off.”
    Barker also noted, ‘During all the ... fighting we were outclassed in speed & climb’; it was not until the fight had spiralled down to 5,000 feet that ‘the Camel was a match for the D.4.'
    (What aircraft was the D.4? I believe he was referring to the Albatros D.III 153 series)It would appear that having settled into their new aerodromes, the RFC scout pilots were quickly in action: 66 Sqn's first victory, an Albatros scout, was achieved by 2nd Lt H K Boysen on 8 December; 45 Sqn claimed three Albatros scouts on 31 December, the first falling to 2nd Lt R J Dawes.

    28 Squadron

    Clifford MacKay "Black Mike" McEwen

    1 30 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B2461) Albatros D.III (DESF) 1
    2 02 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2461) C (DESF)
    3 02 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2461) C (DES)
    4 18 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5169) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    5 27 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5169) Albatros D.V (DES)
    6 27 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5169) Albatros D.V (DES)
    7 02 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7383) Albatros D.V (DESF
    8 03 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7383) Albatros D.III (DES)
    9 09 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7383) Albatros D.V (DES)
    10 21 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7383) Albatros D.V (DES)
    11 24 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7383) Albatros D.III (DES)
    12 31 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7383) C (DES)
    13 03 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1911) Albatros D.III (DES)
    14 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1911) C (DES)
    15 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8112) Berg D.I (DESF)
    16 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8112) Berg D.I (OOC)
    17 21 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8112) Berg D.I (DES)
    18 23 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8112) Albatros D.III (DES)
    19 25 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8112) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    20 27 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8112) C (DESF)
    21 01 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8112) Berg D.I (DES)
    22 09 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8239) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    23 09 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8239) C (DESF)
    24 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8239) Hansa-Brandenburg C (DES)
    25 11 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Albatros D.V (OOC )
    26 26 Sep 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8239) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    27 04 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8241) Albatros D.V (DES)
    1 Shared with Lt A G Cooper (B6362), 2 Shared with Capt Stanley Stanger

    William George Barker - Shortly after arrival in Italy in late November, 1917, Barker opening the aerial score for the RFC over Senaglia-Pieve di Soligo when his flight of four Camels was jumped by 12 Austrian Albatros D.IIIs. After 20 minutes of dogfighting, Barker ended the skirmish by downing one of their opponents. Barker described the battle as follows in his combat log: "I dived on one and fired about 50 rounds and he went down in a vertical dive. I followed and as he flattened out at 5,000 feet I got a burst of about 80 rounds at close range. His top wing folded back to the fuselage and then the lower wing came off."

    On Christmas Day, 1917 Barker, Lt. William Hudson and another pilot decided to send seasons greetings to the Austrians at nearby Motta Aerodrome. They wrote "To the Austrian Flying Corps
    from the English RFC, wishing you a Merry X-Mas" on a large piece of cardboard, then proceeded to fly across the field wing-tip to wing-tip strafing the open hangar doors and torching the aircraft within. The trio made it back to their base at Istrana and quietly convinced the mechanics to patch the bullet holes, as unauthorized flying had been banned by the British commander, Lt. Col. Phillip Joubert.

    On Jan 5, 1918 Barker was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, Britain's second highest award for valor. His colleague, Captain Mitchell described Barker thus: "Whilst one could not say he was a good pilot, he certainly made up for this in his shooting. I was his deputy leader and probably knew more about him than anyone else. I have seen enemy machines break up in the air or go down in flames under his fire long before I realized they were in range."

    When not flying Barker was not exactly a model fighter pilot, and probably not a lot of fun. He didn't drink or smoke, didn't carouse with the others, nor participate in the mess hall parties and pranks. He was more likely to be found on the aircraft line doing maintenance on his aircraft, cleaning the guns or talking to the mechanics and armorers. He lived to fly and fight. His only "pranks" were played on the Austrians, like his Christmas Day shoot-up of an airfield and his later invitation to the Austrian aces to join him and his pilots in aerial combat.

    On January 24, 1918, Barker opened his balloon-busting score with Lt. Hudson flying wing. Balloons were considered so dangerous that Joubert had ordered his pilots to refrain from attacking them. Allegedly out to test their machine guns and engines, Barker and Hudson spotted two balloons near Conegliano on the Piave River. Barker destroyed both balloons while Hudson strafed the anti-aircraft machine gun positions. On return to base, Barker could only offer the excuse to Joubert that, once he saw the balloons, he forgot all about the order. On Feb. 12, Barker and Hudson again went out to "test their guns." Barker observed that the thick ground mist below provided ideal conditions for attacking balloons. Two large balloons near Fossamerlo were destroyed, along with three smaller ones. During the attack, Barker shot down a defending Albatros D.III, and then swooped down on an Austrian staff car and strafed it into a ditch where it flipped over and exploded.

    Barker and Hudson became a team, flying together whenever possible, each protecting the other during attacks, thereby heralding the tactic of two planes flying as "fluid" leader and wingman, alternating when the situation demands it, which is the modern method of air combat.
    On April 10, 1918, Barker was made a Flight Commander in 66 Squadron. On April 17, he shot down an Albatros D.III, and in May he downed 8 Austrian aircraft. In June, Barker was awarded his second bar to the Military Cross for work done in the first two months of 1918; this was his third award of the Military Cross.

    On May 25, 1918, Barker met up with one of Austria's famous aces, Frank Linke-Crawford. Barker was leading an offensive patrol of Bristol Fighters in his Camel when they met an Austrian formation of 10 machines. Barker immediately attacked and noticed Linke-Crawford's Albatros with its distinctive black and white checkerboard markings. He singled out the Austrian and dove after him, entering into a dogfight. Short bursts of machine-gun fire occasionally broke the air, but neither ace was hit. Barker found Linke-Crawford a superb flyer, but a mediocre shot. Even with the Camel's agility, Barker could not hold Linke-Crawford in his sights long enough for a killing burst. Rather than continue a game that his opponent was obviously good at, and not willing to let him go, Barker circled off to about 200 yards, and came at Linke-Crawford from head on. He began firing as soon as he lined up, and could see his tracers hitting the Albatros. Linke-Crawford dove sharply and headed home, but Barker whipped the Camel about and dove after him. Just before the Austrian reached ground level, Barker caught up to him and put his tracers through the gas tank. Linke-Crawford crashed in flames and died just short of his own airfield.
    Even a famous ace like Barker did not escape unscathed. During the summer of 1918, during the final Austrian offensive, he was shot down twice. In the first, he landed in Lake Garda and had to be rescued with a rowboat, while the second time he made a forced landing in the foothills. His Camel hit hard, the undercarriage tore off and it did a flip, landing on its back. He had the airplane pulled off the hillside and rebuilt.

    4 29 Nov 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V Jasta 1 Lt. Hartl
    5 03 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.III Jasta 39
    Lt. Kerssenbrock (3v)
    6 03 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon
    7 29 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon
    8 01 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    9 24 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon 1
    10 24 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon 1
    11 02 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Phönix D.I
    12 02 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) C
    13 05 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.III
    14 05 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) C
    15 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon 1
    16 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon 1
    17 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon 1
    18 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon 1
    19 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Balloon 1
    20 18 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.III
    21 19 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.III
    22 19 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.III
    39 18 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) C
    40 18 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) C 2
    41 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    42 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    43 23 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V 3
    1 Shared with Lt Harold Hudson, 2 Shared with Lt GTC May (D9414)
    3 Shared with Lt HC Walters & Lt CT Davies

    Harold Byrn "Steve" Hudson
    1 24 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Balloon (DES) 1
    2 24 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Balloon (DES) 1
    3 05 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Albatros D.V (DES)
    4 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Balloon (DES) 1
    5 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Balloon (DES) 1
    6 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Balloon (DES) 1
    7 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Balloon (DES) 1
    8 12 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Balloon (DES) 1
    9 20 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    10 20 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    11 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Rumpler C (DESF)
    12 23 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6356) Albatros D.III (DES)
    13 26 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2362) Albatros D.III (DES)
    1 Shared with Capt William Barker

    James Hart Mitchell
    4 08 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6406) C (DES)
    5 10 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6406) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    6 26 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6344) AEG C (CAP) 1
    7 04 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6344) Albatros D.III (DES)
    8 18 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6344) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    9 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6344) Albatros D.III (DESF
    10 26 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6344) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    11 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8110) Berg D.I (DES)
    1 Shared with Lt Silvio Scaroni, Sgt Brenta

    Stanley "Stan" Stanger
    4 02 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6413) C (DES)
    5 03 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6413) C (DESF)
    6 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6413) C (DES)
    7 23 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6413) Albatros D.V (DES)
    8 03 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8103) Berg D.I (DES)
    9 27 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8103) Albatros D.V (DES)
    10 28 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B8103) C (DESF)
    11 26 Sep 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1581) Albatros D.V (DES) 1
    12 04 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8241) Albatros D.V (DES)
    13 04 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8241) Albatros D.V (DES)

    Arthur Gabbettis Cooper
    2 29 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6362) Albatros D.V (DESF) 1
    3 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1911) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    4 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1911) Albatros D.V (DES)
    5 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1911) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    6 18 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1911) Albatros D.V (DES)
    7 20 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8103) Albatros D.V (DES)

    Percy Wilson
    1 25 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) C (DES)
    2 04 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) Albatros D.V (DES)
    3 27 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5183) C (DES
    4 03 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5187) Albatros D.V (DES
    5 10 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) Balloon (DES)
    6 11 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    7 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) Albatros D.V (165.64) (DESF)

    John MacKereth - Downing a balloon on 31 August 1918, John MacKereth was wounded in action, crash landed his Sopwith Camel and was captured.
    1 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7351) Balloon (DES)
    2 01 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7351) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    3 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8111) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    4 30 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8209) Albatros D.V (DES)
    5 07 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8209) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    6 13 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6349) C (DES) 1
    1 Shared with Capt Joseph Hallonquist, Lt AR Strang (D8209)

    Thomas Frederic Williams
    9 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Albatros D.V (DES)
    10 25 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Berg D.I (OOC)
    11 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Albatros D.V (DES)
    12 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    13 23 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D6342) Albatros D.V (DES)
    14 27 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) C (DESF)

    Joseph Eskel Hallonquist - On 29 October 1918, he was captured when his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
    1 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2362) Albatros D.III (DES)
    2 26 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B1952) Albatros D.V (DES)
    3 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) Albatros D.III (DES)
    4 30 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) Albatros D.III (DES)
    5 13 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6363) Hansa-Brandenburg C (DES)
    u/c 28 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8244) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    1 Shared with Lt John Mackereth, Lt AR Strang (D8209)

    Arthur Gordon Jarvis
    1 26 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B2303) DFW C (OOC) 1
    2 04 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6285) Albatros D.III (DES)
    3 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7354) Balloon (DES)
    4 25 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8170) Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (OOC) 2
    5 23 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8170) Albatros D.V (DES) 3
    1 Shared with 2/Lt PG Mullholland (B5183), Lt OW Frayne (B6345), Silvio Scaroni, Antonio Riva
    2 Shared with Capt Thomas Williams (D8208) and Lt GG Constanduros (D8206)
    3 Shared with Capt Thomas Williams (D6342)

    45 Squadron

    Thomas Frederic Williams
    5 10 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    6 11 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    7 26 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Albatros D.III (CAP)
    8 27 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3887) Albatros D.III (DESF)

    Matthew Brown "Bunty" Frew –
    17 11 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.III (DES)
    18 15 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) C (DESF)
    19 15 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    20 15 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DES)
    21 27 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    22 04 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DES)
    23 04 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    In 1918 he was injured when his Camel was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He returned to England and served as an instructor for the duration of the war
    1 Observer 2/Lt MJ Dalton 2 Observer 2/Lt George Brooke
    3 Shared with Lt Kenneth Montgomery 4 Shared with 2/Lt James Child, 2/Lt Raymond Brownell

    Cedric Ernest "Spike" Howell
    1 14 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B4609) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    2 26 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B4609) Albatros D.III (DES)
    3 23 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5238) Albatros D.III (DES)
    4 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5238) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    5 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5238) Albatros D.III (DES)
    6 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5238) Albatros D.III (DES)
    7 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5238) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    8 08 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Phönix D.I (DES)
    9 08 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (DES)
    10 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Albatros D.V (DES)
    11 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Albatros D.V (DES)
    12 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Albatros D.V (DES)
    13 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Phönix D.I (DESF)
    14 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (DESF)
    15 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Phönix D.I (OOC)
    16 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (OOC)
    17 14 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9394) Albatros D.V (CAP)
    18 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8113) Phönix D.I (DESF)
    19 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8113) Phönix D.I (DES)

    Sidney Joseph "Jack" Cottle
    1 10 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6354) DFW C (DES) 1
    2 18 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5181) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    3 05 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7380) Hansa-Brandenburg C (DESF)
    4 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8113) LVG C (DES)
    5 31 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8237) Phönix D.I (DESF)
    6 05 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8237) D (DES)
    7 20 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8237) C (DES)
    8 20 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8237) C (CAP)
    9 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8237) Albatros D.III (DES)
    10 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8237) Albatros D.III (CAP)
    11 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8237) Albatros D.III (CAP)
    12 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8327) C (OOC)
    1 Shared with 2/Lt Richard Dawes

    Raymond James Brownell
    6 31 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B2430) Albatros D.III
    7 31 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B2430) Albatros D.V 3
    31 Dec 1917 Brownell assisted Henry Moody in shooting down German ace Alwin Thurm.
    8 10 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2430) Albatros D.III
    9 11 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2430) Albatros D.III
    10 30 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6283) DFW C
    11 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3872) Albatros D.III
    12 18 Apr 1918 Camel (B3872) Balloon
    1 Shared with Henry Moody and Emerson Smith 2 Shared with James Child and Matthew Frew
    3 Shared with Henry Moody

    John Charles Bradley Firth
    9 15 Nov 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6423) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    10 02 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6423) C (DESF) 3
    11 27 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6423) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    3 Shared with Lt HT Thompson (B4609)

    Kenneth Barbour Montgomery
    11 03 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3929) Albatros D.III (OOC)

    Mansell Richard James
    1 03 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3872) Albatros D.V (DES)
    2 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8102) Albatros D.III (DES)
    3 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8102) Albatros D.III (DES)
    4 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) Albatros D.V (DES)
    5 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) Albatros D.V (DES)
    6 05 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) AEG C (DES)
    7 06 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    8 06 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    9 06 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) Albatros D.V (DES)
    10 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) Albatros D.III (DES)
    11 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8211) Albatros D.III (DES)

    Peter Carpenter
    6 10 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3929) Albatros D.III (DES)
    7 15 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3929) Albatros D.III (DES)
    8 26 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3929) Albatros D.III (DES)

    Richard Jeffries "****ie" Dawes
    3 14 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6412) Albatros D.III (DES)
    4 27 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6412) DFW C (OOC)
    5 10 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6412) DFW C (DES) 1
    6 03 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7359) Aviatik C (DES)
    7 03 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6412) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    8 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6412) Albatros D.III (DES)
    9 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6412) Aviatik C (DES)
    1 Shared with 2/Lt Jack Cottle

    Norman Cyril Jones
    1 25 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6344) Aviatik C (DES)
    2 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) C (DESF) 1
    3 20 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.III (DES)
    4 01 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    5 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) DFW C (DES)
    6 28 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8169) Albatros D.III (DES)
    7 29 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8169) Albatros D.III (DES)
    8 21 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8234) Albatros D.V (DES)
    9 21 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8234) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    1 Shared with 2/Lt Charles Catto (B6412)

    Ernest Harold Masters - Died: 24 December 1918
    1 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2379) Albatros D.III (DES)
    2 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2379) LVG C (DES)
    3 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1974) Albatros D.V (DES)
    4 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1974) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    5 14 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1974) D (DES)
    6 10 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (C54) LVG C (DES)
    7 20 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (C54) C (DES)
    8 23 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (F7212) Rumpler C (OOC)
    1 Shared with Francis Bowles

    Henry Michael Moody
    5 31 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6238) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    6 31 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6238) Albatros D.V (CAP) 2
    7 11 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6383) Albatros D.III (DES)
    8 30 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B4609) Albatros D.III (DES)
    2 Shared with 2/Lt Raymond Brownell

    Thomas Frederic Williams
    5 10 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    6 11 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    7 26 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Albatros D.III (CAP)
    8 27 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3887) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    9 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Albatros D.V (DES)
    10 25 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Aviatik D.I (OOC)
    11 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Albatros D.V (DES)
    12 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    13 23 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D6342) Albatros D.V (DES)
    14 27 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8208) C (DESF)

    James Henry Dewhirst
    1 24 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Aviatik D.I (OOC)
    2 04 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6282) Aviatik D.I (DES)
    3 01 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7360) Albatros D.V (DES)
    4 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1910) Albatros D.III (DES)
    5 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1910) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    6 19 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1910) Albatros D.III (DES)

    Charles Gray Catto
    1 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6412) Aviatik C (DES) 1
    2 22 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Two-seater (DES) 2
    3 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B3872) Hansa-Brandenburg C (CAP)
    4 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9392) Aviatik C (OOC)
    5 20 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9392) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    6 05 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8243) Scout (DES)
    1 Shared with Capt Norman Jones 2 Shared with Capt G Bush

    Alfred John Haines - Posted to 45 Squadron in Italy.
    1 04 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5182) Albatros D.V (DES)
    2 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1975) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    3 07 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1975) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    4 23 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9412) Aviatik C (DES)
    5 29 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9412) Phönix D (DES)
    6 29 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9412) Phönix D (DES)
    He was killed in action by hostile anti-aircraft fire.

    Alan Rice-Oxley
    1 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8240) Hansa-Brandenburg D (DES)
    2 12 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8240) Phönix D (DES)
    3 14 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9392) Albatros D.V (DES)
    4 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1975) Phönix D (OOC)
    5 15 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1975) Phönix D (OOC)
    6 22 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1500) C (DES)

    Francis Stephen Bowles
    1 13 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2426) C (DES) 1
    2 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5181) C (OOC)
    3 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5181) Albatros D.V (DES)
    4 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5181) Albatros D.III (DES)
    5 05 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9392) D (OOC)
    1 Shared with Lt Ernest Masters

    James Child - James Child scored three victories in France and two victories in Italy.
    4 22 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2443) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    10 Mar 1918, his flight was mistakenly attacked by Italian scouts. In the brief action that followed, Child may have downed one of the Italians.
    5 07 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1975) LVG C (DES)

    Earl McNabb "Handie" Hand
    u/c 11 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6238) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    u/c 11 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6238) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    2 30 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B4609) DFW C (DES)
    3 23 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2430) Albatros D.III (DES)
    4 02 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2430) Albatros D.III (DES)
    5 09 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2430) Albatros D.III (DES)
    01 June 1918 he was wounded and captured when shot down by Frank Linke-Crawford.

    66 Squadron - The Pup’s were exchanged for Sopwith Camels during October 1917. The first aeroplane B5402 was collected by Squadron Commander Maj. G.L.P. Henderson. After fighting on the Western Front the Squadron was sent to Italy in November 1917 and returned to the United Kingdom in March 1919 and was disbanded on 25 October 1919. The 20 aces who had served in its ranks were William George Barker VC, Alan Jerrard VC, Peter Carpenter, Harry King Goode, Francis S. Symondson, Gerald Alfred Birks, Charles M. Maud, Gordon Apps, Hilliard Brooke Bell, Christopher McEvoy, Harold R. Eycott-Martin, William Myron MacDonald, Augustus Paget, John Oliver Andrews, Harold Koch Boysen, William Carrall Hilborn, Thomas Hunter, James Lennox, Walbanke Ashby Pritt, Patrick Gordon Taylor and, John (Jack) Wallis Baker.

    William George Barker
    There is one other Camel that had none standard markings, this was B6313 the personnel mount of Capt. W.G. Barker, who replace Capt. J.M. Warnock as C flight commander on 10 April 1918.
    Barker was posted in from 28 Sqn and brought the aeroplane with him, when he left to take over command of 139 Sqn on 14 July B6313 it went with him.
    23 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.III
    24 08 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) C
    25 11 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    26 20 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    27 20 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    28 21 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Lloyd C
    29 23 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) C
    30 24 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    31 24 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    32 03 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Brandenberg C
    33 4 09 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Brandenberg D
    35 21 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    36 25 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Brandenberg D
    37 13 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Brandenberg D
    38 13 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V

    John MacKereth –
    7 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1496) Balloon (DES)
    31 August 1918 after downing a balloon, John MacKereth was wounded in action, crash landed his Sopwith Camel and was captured.

    Kenneth Barbour Montgomery
    12 12 Jan 1918 Sopwith Camel (B4628) Albatros D.V (OOC) 4
    4 Shared with 2/Lt AF Lingard (B5244)
    22 Feb 1918 he was shot down and captured.

    Peter Carpenter
    9 27 Feb 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6424) Albatros D.III (DES)
    10 11 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2500) Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (DES)
    11 21 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (DES)
    12 21 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Hansa-Brandenburg D.I (OOC)
    13 30 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Albatros D.III (DES)
    14 11 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) C (OOC)
    15 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Albatros D.V (DES)
    16 31 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Albatros D.V (DES)
    17 09 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Albatros D.V (DES)
    18 10 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) LVG C (DES)
    19 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) LVG C (OOC)
    20 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Albatros D.V (DES)
    21 14 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7387) Albatros D.III (DES)
    22 31 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1489) Albatros D.V (DES)
    23 08 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (C3290) Albatros C (DES)
    24 25 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1489) Albatros D.V (OOC)

    Harry King Goode
    1 25 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9410) Albatros C (DESF)
    2 18 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2363) Albatros D.III (DES)
    3 01 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1494) Roland C (DES)
    4 05 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1494) Balloon (DES)
    5 09 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1494) Hansa-Brandenburg C (DES)
    6 11 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1494) Albatros D.III (OOC)
    7 22 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1494) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    8 30 Sep 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) LVG C (DES)
    9 08 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) Roland C (DES)
    10 16 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) Balloon (DES)
    11 22 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) Balloon (DES) 1
    12 27 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) Balloon (DES)
    13 28 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) Balloon (DES)
    14 28 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) Balloon (DES)
    15 29 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (E7211) Balloon (DES)
    1 Shared with Capt H Hindle-James (E1576)

    Francis Stanley Symondson - Sopwith 1F.1 Camel B7353, 66.squadron RFC, Italian Front, April 1918. Squadron markings of 66.squadron consisted of a vertical bar in front of cockade, individual flight letter "L" and horizontal bar in centre of fuselage in white, black serial presented on front tail, national markings on rudder.
    1 07 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2445) Balloon (DESF)
    2 16 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2445) Aviatik D.I (DES)
    3 30 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7353) Albatros D.III (DES)
    4 04 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7353) Albatros D.V (DES)
    This is one of Camels engaged in dogfight with Kurt Gruber and other Phoenix D.Is of Flik 60J on the morning of 4th April 1918. Kurt Gruber still managed to shot down one of Camels (his 11th and last confirmed victory), but then was caught in hail of deadly fire from a Sopwith Camel. His Phoenix D.I 228.24 crashed with broken wings in the Cismon area killing Gruber.
    5 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7353) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    6 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7353) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    7 06 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7353) Albatros D.III (DES)
    8 06 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7353) Albatros D.III (DES)
    9 06 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1912) Albatros D.V (DES)
    10 15 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9406) Albatros D.V (DES)
    11 13 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9390) Balloon (DES)
    12 28 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9390) Aviatik C (DES)
    13 15 Sep 1918 Sopwith Camel (E1577) Aviatik D.I (OOC)

    Gerald Alfred Birks he joined No. 66 Squadron in March 1918. Assigned to C Flight, he soon became a favorite wingman of Capt. William Barker, and the aggressive pair cut a wide swath, almost constantly flying air-air and air-ground sorties. Birks, who genuinely mastered the Camel, also was credited with another Austro-Hungarian ace, Karl Patzelt, CO of Flik 68J. By late June Birks was credited with 12 confirmed victories (all destroyed or captured), with 10 positively identified and two more likely. Eight of his victories came in May alone.

    Squadron markings consisted of a vertical bar in front of cockade, individual flight letter “P” and horizontal bar in centre of fuselage in white, serial presented within the white bar in front of tail.
    1 18 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6424) Rumpler C (161.69) (DES)
    2 24 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2497) C (69.81) (DESF)
    3 02 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6424) Albatros D.V (153.176) (DES)
    4 04 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6424) Albatros D.V (153.210) (CAP)
    5 04 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6424) Albatros D.V (153.182) (CAP)
    6 11 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7358) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    7 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1913) Aviatik D (DES)
    8 19 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1913) Aviatik D (DES)
    9 20 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (D1913) Aviatik D (DES)
    10 24 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6424) Aviatik D (DES)
    On 24 May, in a large dogfight, Birks shot down the Aviatik flown by Josef Kiss, CO of Flik 55J.
    11 09 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8101) Albatros D.V (DESF)
    12 21 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8101) Albatros D.V (DES)

    Charles Midgley Maud
    1 01 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7283) Albatros D.III (DES)
    2 02 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7283) LVG C (DES)
    3 10 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5623) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    4 18 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5623) Albatros D.III (DES)
    5 20 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5623) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    6 08 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9390) Albatros D.III (DES)
    7 10 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9408) LVG C (DES)
    8 05 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (C46) LVG C (DES)
    9 22 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (C46) LVG C (DES)
    10 23 Aug 1918 Sopwith Camel (C46) DFW C (DES)
    11 07 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel (C46) Albatros D.V (OOC)

    Gordon Frank Mason Apps
    1 11 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5190) Aviatik D (OOC)
    2 28 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5190) Albatros D.III (DES)
    3 04 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2497) Albatros D.III (DESF)
    4 04 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2497) Albatros D.III (DES)
    5 24 May 1918 Sopwith Camel (B5190) Albatros D.III (DES)
    6 21 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (B9410) Albatros D.V (DES)
    7 21 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D9410) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    8 28 Jun 1918 Sopwith Camel (D8101) Albatros D.III (DES)
    9 13 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7358) Aviatik D (DES)
    10 16 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7358) C (DES) 1
    1 Shared with Lt A E Baker (D9418)

    Stanley "Stan" Stanger
    1 14 Dec 1917 Sopwith Camel (B6326) Albatros D.V (OOC)
    2 18 Mar 1918 Sopwith Camel (B2497) Aviatik D.I (DES)
    3 17 Apr 1918 Sopwith Camel (B7358) Albatros D.V (DESF)


    139 Squadron

    The excellent work done by the flight of Bristol Fighters in 66 Squadron prompted the formation a 139 Squadron, fully equipped with these aircraft. On July 14, 1918, Barker was promoted to Major and given command of it. However, kept B6313. This was not because he didn't think the Bristol Fighter was a good air plane, on the contrary he found it to be an excellent aircraft and frequently led patrols in one. He just couldn't give up his Camel.

    On July 18th, Barker in his Camel and one of his Bristol Fighters, with some others from 66 Squadron shot down an entire flight of five Austrians. Barker shot down an L.V.G. two-seater in flames, the others downed three, and British AA gunners scored on the fifth aircraft. On July 20, Barker and two Bristols intercepted a flight of Austrian aircraft attacking Motta Airfield. Barker downed two Albatross DIIIs and a Bristol downed a third. By now Barker had 33 enemy aircraft and 9 balloons to his credit, and was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Service Order, in essence earning the decoration a second time. In late August, 1918, Barker took the Prince of Wales on two combat missions over the front in a Bristol Fighter.

    40 18 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) C 2
    41 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    42 20 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V
    43 23 Jul 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) Albatros D.V 3
    44 18 Sep 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) D
    45 18 Sep 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) D
    46 18 Sep 1918 Sopwith Camel (B6313) D

    Walter Carl Simon - The first American pilot credited with five victories in a single engagement, Walter Carl Simon joined the Royal Flying Corps in March 1918. Posted to 139 Squadron under William Barker, he was flying the Bristol Fighter on the Italian Front when he and his observer, William Watson Smith, shot down five enemy aircraft on the morning of 30 July 1918. Though both men were wounded and flying a badly shot-up aircraft, Simon successfully returned to his aerodrome at Villaverla.
    1 04 Jul 1918 Bristol F.2b (C999) 1 Albatros D.III (OOC)
    2 15 Jul 1918 Bristol F.2b (C999) 1 Albatros D.III (DES)
    3 30 Jul 1918 Bristol F.2b (C999) 1 LVG C (DES)
    4 30 Jul 1918 Bristol F.2b (C999) 1 C (OOC)
    5 30 Jul 1918 Bristol F.2b (C999) 1 Albatros D.III (DES)
    6 30 Jul 1918 Bristol F.2b (C999) 1 Albatros D.III (DES)
    7 30 Jul 1918 Bristol F.2b (C999) 1 Albatros D.III (OOC)
    8 10 Aug 1918 Bristol F.2b (D8075) 2 Albatros D.III (DES)
    Last edited by john snelling; 07-06-2016 at 00:33.

  2. #2

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    Fantasic data John
    I love reading stuff like this. Thanks a lot for posting

  3. #3

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    Great info john, thanks!

    About the engaged DIV?
    Pg. 203, 'German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918', ..."The report from Flars praised the new model, stating the 200-hp DIII (Oef) was the first of the fighter aircraft capable of engaging the French Hanriot and British Sopwith Camel as an equal".
    Maybe this was what was encountered?

  4. #4

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    Excellent information. Thanks much.

    As far as the Albatros D-IV is concerned, the actual D-IV was a one-off experiment. None was actually manufactured for front-line use. Your guess that the aircraft in question was the D-III 153 series (with the 149kW/200hp engine) is likely accurate.

    It seems that no pilot/observer of any nation is able to accurately identify the model or sub-model of any other nation's aircraft: witness the continual German reference to a "Vickers" (likely the FB.5) when an RAF FE.2 aircraft was encountered. Barker's misidentification of an Albatros D-III as something else is not at all unusual.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by zenlizard View Post
    Excellent information. Thanks much.

    As far as the Albatros D-IV is concerned, the actual D-IV was a one-off experiment. None was actually manufactured for front-line use. Your guess that the aircraft in question was the D-III 153 series (with the 149kW/200hp engine) is likely accurate.

    It seems that no pilot/observer of any nation is able to accurately identify the model or sub-model of any other nation's aircraft: witness the continual German reference to a "Vickers" (likely the FB.5) when an RAF FE.2 aircraft was encountered. Barker's misidentification of an Albatros D-III as something else is not at all unusual.
    I agree with you. I wonder if was he taught to report that way through an intelligence briefing. Since the Germans were using the D.III and D.V "We'll just call the AH one the D.IV". Another problem that I have is I do not know if I'm reading a raw (pilots first report after a flight) report or a processed (after a Intel officer or author writing) one.

    Misidentification was wide spread. Some of it was terminology like you rightly pointed out. Vickers was used for any lattice tail type aircraft. AH pilots had a habit of reporting Camel vice Hanroit.

    The Camel even on the WF was used at low altitude and the Pup and SE 5a was used high. The problem with AH was not the quality (they had their share of stinkers) of their aircraft but, it was quantity.
    Last edited by john snelling; 07-06-2016 at 17:08.

  6. #6

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    Another fantastic lot of interesting info.

    Great Work John.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by john snelling View Post
    I agree with you. I wonder if was he taught to report that way through an intelligence briefing. Since the Germans were using the D.III and D.V "We'll just call the AH one the D.IV". Another problem that I have is I do not know if I'm reading a raw (pilots first report after a flight) report or a processed (after a Intel officer or author writing) one.
    I also agree. Local terminology was not unusual as combat reports were not written for aviation historians. In this case he may have observed the more unusual (blunter) nose of an Austrian Albatros and assumed that as it was not a DIII or a DV that perhaps 'D IV' was appropriate.
    Or… he could simply have made a mistake! It happens!

    Barry

  9. #9

  10. #10

  11. #11

  12. #12

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    Super info John!
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  13. #13

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    When filing combat reports, Austro-Hungarian pilots often confused Camels with Hanriots. So a mistake the other way about the version of an Albatros is likely.

  14. #14

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    This is excellent, thank you John.

    BALM

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by BeneathALeadMt View Post
    This is excellent, thank you John.

    BALM
    Thanks, Andrew

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by john snelling View Post
    ..

    On 29 November 1917 an RE8 from No 34 Sqn, escorted by four Camels from No 28 Sqn, flew a photographic reconnaissance mission over the Montello front. The escort was led by one Capt W G Barker who estimated that the Camels were attacked by about twelve Albatros DIVs and reported “I dived on one & fired about 50 rounds and he went down in a vertical dive. I followed & as he flattened out at 5,000 feet I got a burst of about 80 rounds at close range. His top right wing folded back to the fuselage and later the lower wing came off.” ...
    Is this the Barker miniature we have for gaming?
    Voilà le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by john snelling View Post
    ...
    On 29 November 1917 an RE8 from No 34 Sqn, escorted by four Camels from No 28 Sqn, flew a photographic reconnaissance mission over the Montello front. The escort was led by one Capt W G Barker who estimated that the Camels were attacked by about twelve Albatros DIVs and reported “I dived on one & fired about 50 rounds and he went down in a vertical dive. I followed & as he flattened out at 5,000 feet I got a burst of about 80 rounds at close range. His top right wing folded back to the fuselage and later the lower wing came off.” ...
    Quote Originally Posted by Marechallannes View Post
    Is this the Barker miniature we have for gaming?
    I'm curious about both events. This one and the Christmas attack? Are they the same plane and do we have them?
    Last edited by Ken at Sunrise; 01-18-2017 at 10:13. Reason: spell'in

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by john snelling View Post
    ...

    On May 25, 1918, Barker met up with one of Austria's famous aces, Frank Linke-Crawford. Barker was leading an offensive patrol of Bristol Fighters in his Camel when they met an Austrian formation of 10 machines. Barker immediately attacked and noticed Linke-Crawford's Albatros with its distinctive black and white checkerboard markings. He singled out the Austrian and dove after him, entering into a dogfight. Short bursts of machine-gun fire occasionally broke the air, but neither ace was hit. Barker found Linke-Crawford a superb flyer, but a mediocre shot. Even with the Camel's agility, Barker could not hold Linke-Crawford in his sights long enough for a killing burst. Rather than continue a game that his opponent was obviously good at, and not willing to let him go, Barker circled off to about 200 yards, and came at Linke-Crawford from head on. He began firing as soon as he lined up, and could see his tracers hitting the Albatros. Linke-Crawford dove sharply and headed home, but Barker whipped the Camel about and dove after him. Just before the Austrian reached ground level, Barker caught up to him and put his tracers through the gas tank. Linke-Crawford crashed in flames and died just short of his own airfield.
    ...
    Are you shure that this ace was Linke-Crawford?

    Wiki wrothe that L-C died 30th July 1918 in a battle versus Italian pilots?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Linke-Crawford
    Voilà le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  19. #19

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    The aerodrome forum states L-C KIA on 30th July too - falling to two HD.1 fighters of 81a Squadriglia; same source shows Barker has 2 kills on 24th May, both Alb D.V, at Grigno-Val Sugana but nothing on the 25th.

    "He is wise who watches"

  20. #20

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    Thanks for raising this thread to the top chaps, as it will be very useful to me.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  21. #21

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    After seeing the same event there are many different ways people interpret it.

    I interpret barely anything, I usually just copy what others have written, as in this case, and let you decide.



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