Marine Medals of Honor

[Barrett]

On 8 and 14 October 1918 the Marine Corps DH-4 crew of Talbot and Robinson claimed victories over German fighters, being considerably shot up in the 2nd event. Both received Medals of Honor. Has anybody ever seen reference to the jastas that might have been involved? Thanx.

[Lufbery]

Barrett,

I'm surprised we had Marine aviators in WWI. How many squadrons were there and what were their numbers? How about Navy squadrons?

-Drew

[Barrett]

There were 3 or 4 DH-4 squadrons of the Northern (Day) Bombardment Group that operated under RAF control.
Curtis flying boats were the first US forces deployed to Europe after America entered the war.

[Graeme]

Lt R Talbot USMC and Cpl R G Robinson USMC flew DH4 A3295 (American-built with a 400hp Liberty engine) on 8 October 1918 when they shot down out of control a Fokker DVII at 08:15 over Cortemarke. This was shared with Lt H W Mathews and 2nd Lt H W Murray, No 218 Sqn RAF, in DH4 D1750. At this time Talbot and Robinson were members of the US Northern Bombing Group attached to No 218 Sqn RAF. The DH4 was returned to the US Northern Bombing Group on 11 October.

Can't find anything on the 2nd event.

[Graeme]

Barrett

I've done a bit of digging around in the "Casualties of the German Air Service" and can find only two definite scout losses for 8 October 1918:

Flieger Kurt Oertel of Jasta 20 was killed in action over Roulers and Unteroffizier August Eigenbrodt was wounded in action (location not given). Roulers is about 10 miles NW of Courtrai so my guess would be Oertel.

Hope this helps

Graeme

[Barrett]

Graeme: Thanks for your good work. I suspect that Courtrai is farther south than the marines were operating but it's worth checking further.

Incidentally, Happy Birthday to all our marines.

[Graeme]

Barrett

Got me Courtrais and Cortemarcks mixed up, didn't I.

Cortemarck (or Kortemark) lies to the east of Dixmude and the map ref I have is 51.02N, 3.02E which would place it somewhat further north than Courtrai and only about 5 miles north west of
Roulers (50.56N, 3.06E).

Somewhere on my PC I've got a map of the area; I'll try and find it and copy it to you.

Graeme

[Graeme]

Barrett

The map of the area showing Dixmude (Diksmuide), Cortemarck (Kortemark) and Roulers (Roeselare) is too large to show here. If you let me have your e-mail address I'll copy the map to you.

Graeme

[Graeme]

Barrett

The only reference to Frethun I've been able to find is as a suburb of Calais. This would make the airfield about 50 miles west of where the combat took place - possible if the machines were on their way to (or from) their target. I'll keep looking.

VBR Graeme