Udets Third Un-verified Victory

[Soderbaum]

Hi all
Regarding the many Un-verfied victories by Udet I am driving further to perhaps solve some cases.
The trying with with his second was until now a failure.!.. but I hope for better luck this time..!

His 6th victim on 5 May 1917 was his last with Jasta 15 and his first Spad-1. This e/a was shot down in Viller forest time 19:30.
This fight is only short described in his book "Mein Fliegerleben" that he flew together with Gontermann(and others?) an evening Sperr-flug. He said that Gontermann shot down an Nieup-(which probably was not confirmed) and I shot down a Spad. It is my sixth Victory.

The Nachrichtenblatt mentioned 14 e/a was shot down this Day included 2 by Flak. Of these fell 3 e/a within German lines, further was 1 enemy ballon shot down.
Seven of these claims seems to be french aircraft and only two is mentioned as Spads.
The second Spad was shot down at Vailly by Lt Josef Veltjens of Jasta 14 as his first victory. Time 10:50.
Jasta 15 were flying in the Laon area within 7 German Army and Jasta 14 in the Verdun area within 5 German Army.
I have an old note that Capt. Alfred Heurtaux WIA of Esc.N 3 was shot down this day just inside french lines flying an Spad-1. But I dont have any location or time for this incident.

I hope someone out there can give some hints or sugestion about this Victory..

Thanks in advance
Gunnar

Hello Gunnar,
These are the French fighter losses I know for 5 May 1917 :
- Capt Alfred Heurtaux (CO N 3), WIA on a Spad VII during a fight with 5 scouts.
- Brig Chapel (N 103), departed at 1830 (French time), FTL somewhere but returned to his aerodrome at 2215. THIS IS NOT A "TRUE" LOSS, but probably Udet or Gontermann's victory.
- Adj Thery (F 7), WIA on a Nieuport.
That's all, all other losses in combat are Caudron G6, Farman, Salmson-Moineau SM.1, Sopwith and Morane Parasol. One other Spad VII was lost this day, but only by accident (Lt Hérissant, N 517).
VBR,
Christophe

[Soderbaum]

Christophe
Thankyou very much..you are always helpsome.
Do you knew if Esc N 3 were serving in the Laon
or Verdun sector..?

VBR
Gunnar

Gunnar,
Esc N 3 was serving at this time on the Aisne Front, from Bonne-Maison aerodrome... close to Laon (Aisne Front also)! The Aisne departement is in Picardie, North-East of Paris.
Verdun is a town of the Meuse departement, in the West part of the Lorraine (BUT much more South-East than Laon).
VBR, Christophe.

[Soderbaum]

Thanks again Christophe

It seems that Capt. Heurtaux could be Udets 6th victory because it was the only Spad claimed in this sector according to the Nachrichtenblatts Victory list.

Gunnar