First air attack against ships

[rammjaeger]

1913

"10 May: Didier Masson, supporter of General Alvarado Obregon, became the first airman to drop bombs on an enemy warship when he attacked Mexican gunships in Guayamas Bay, Gulf of California."

What I would like to know:
a) Who was Didier Masson (sp?)? Are other details of his bio known?
B) It is not always easy to see who was fighting whom in Mexico.
To which President/General/Rebel/Bandit/Partisan belonged the gun boats?
c) What was the outcome of the attack? (I guess it had no or only psychological impact.)

Sincerely,

Hannes

There is a article on D.M. in very recent edition of "Aviation History". (A-H: 703-7719400).Unfortunately in my usual clutter I can't lay hands on it. The writer gives the name of the vessel and a description of the engagement. D.M. figures in all works on the Lafayette Escadrille (originally N.124). Accomplished as a chef, he was "chef de pote" ie Mess Officer for the Escadrille. One victory was attributed to him. He returned to the U.S. as instructor in the fall of 1917.In Mexico as I recall reading he worked with an Australian mechanic, Tommy Dean. He was with the Villistas who were supporters of the recently murdered Madero. The Carristas were the opposition and were supported in the air by one Edward Parsons who later was a squadron mate in 124, with Masson. D.M. was based in Los Angeles at the time he took an a/c, a Martin, I believe, into the fray south of the Border. If I can find the article perhaps I can get you some particulars in re. the specifics. Regards.

[rammjaeger]

Dear Lee,

thank you very much for your helpful reply. I hope you can get this article too.

I think D.M. was bombing ships of the confederalists (General Huerta) because Villa was still supporting Carranza in 1913 (different to Zapata). Until now I have not heard about fights between Carranza and Villa before 1915. Right??

Sincerely,

Hannes

Hannes: Still determined to find more for you on Masson. The edition of Av. Hist. has to be here somewhere! I've spent most of the day locating, for a "forum" participant, a letter I'd received in 1963 from a former member of the U.S 27th Pursuit Sqdn. of 1918.The topic as usual with that unit: Lt. Frank Luke. So you're next on my shelf search agenda! Hope to have news for you in a day or so. Best Regards. Lee Edw.Branch

[rammjaeger]

Thank you again for your efforts, Lee!

With the best wishes

Hannes

[Vin]

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Hi Hannes:I found the article. Its in "Av.History" of Sept. 1998:
Didier Masson: b. Asnieres, France. Feb.23, 1886.
Apprentice jewler/mil. service/magneto repairman/1909: hired by Louis Paulham (pioneering French aviator)as mechanic/"Soloed" same yearin Farman/Paulham and D.M in U.S.A. on tour/D.M receives Lic. #202 from Aero Club of America/employed at Martin Aircraft at Balboa,Calif.(near San Diego)as instructor/"Constitutionalists" of Col. Obregon buy a Martin (Curtis powered) and hire D.M. and Australian mech. Thomas Dean to bring the plane to Guymas, Mexico on Sea of Cortez. and attack a war vessel ("variously described as a "cruiser" a "transport" and a "gunboat"/the vessel was named the "General Guerrero"/ship was English built (1908), 200 feet in length and of 1880 Tons/first attack was May 29th, 1913/ fourth and final was in September/incidents of mechanical failure and crash damage limited the efforts/no known damage/bombs were finned 3" pipe with dynamite and rivets for shrapnel.
During this conflict, elsewhere in Mexico, probably the first air-to-air fight ensued: Two Americans, Douglas Lamb in a Curtis Pusher exchanged pistol shots with Phil Rader in a Christopherson near the town of Naco, Mexico.
On 9-8-14 Masson was back in France in his old infantry unit/transferred to Air Service and at Pau on May 10th 1915 he received his brevet and was assigned to Escadrille C.18/assigned to N.68 and then was the 13th pilot assigned to "Lafayette Escadrille": N.124/Adjutant M. accredited with a victory over a Fokker on 10-12-16/transferred to N.147 ("defense of Paris") and then became a U.S.A.S. instructor at Issoudon: POST-WAR: Returned to Mexico/married Modesta Escalante/Import-export business in British Honduras/became French Consul from 1935 /til advent of Vichy government/operated Pan-Am facility/managed hotel Iris, Chetumel, Mexico. Died in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico on 6-2-50. Author here was David H. Grover. His Biblio: "A History of Air Power" by Basil Collier; "Aviation: An Historical Survey..." by Charles Harvard Givvs-Smith.; "The Great Pursuit", by Herbert Molloy Mason, Jr. and "I Flew with the Lafayette Excadrille", by Edwin C. Parsons. So there we are my friend, I hope it has been helpful and informative. Call upon me any time. Regards, Lee. .

[rammjaeger]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lee!
That is more than I was hoping to get!
But that gives one new question again.
Where can i find data or a photograph of the mentioned Christopherson-aircraft. (Some month ago I had asked for details about the mentioned first aircombat between aircraft already.)
Thanks again.

Hannes

Vin, I had the same problem this day!