2 Lt Mowatt, RFC, 11 Sqdn

[Michael]

I've recently discovered a distant relative of mine, 2 Lt M. Mowatt, was in 11 sqdn, of the RFC and "died 70 miles behind enemy lines", in 1916.
Can anyone suggest how I might learn more about the circumstances of his loss and his unit?

2Lt MM Mowatt was last seen going south at 530 pm on 16 May 1916 near Berles. He was listed as MIA and was captured but died of wounds. He was flying a C model Bristol Scout number 5301 and is listed in at least two sources as the ace Max Immelman's 15th and final offical victory. The great British ace, Albert Ball, was also in 11th squadron during this time and was in action on the same day, claiming an Albatros in the morning.


sources:

Henshaw, Trevor 'The Sky Their Battlefield'
Franks, et al. 'Above The Lines'


regards,

MDD

[rammjaeger]

If you can manage to get the English edition of "Immelmann - der Adler von Lille" ("Immelmann - the Eagle of Lille") than you can read Immelmanns description of the incident.
2 Lt Mowatt was hunting two LVG-biplanes and never realising Immelmann. The latter was firing only 15-20 rounds from each MG in a position 30-40 metres behind and 10-20 metres higher than the Bristol.

[rammjaeger]

O´Connor wrote in "Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany in World War I, volume III ... Saxony:

"The RFC communique for May 16 carried this ters and laconic entry: "2 Lt Mowatt, 11 Sqn, left his aerodrome 4.55 p.m. in a Bristol Scout. He has not returned."

#11 Sqn at the time also had n11 planes for scouts, from what I can tell it was a well equiped unit.

(sidenote: in Rb3D I like to pick #11Sqn to start with if i'm RFC, the only catch is... you can't score too good or you wind up getting a transfer to Hawker's spinning incinerator squadron - Dh2s)

CWGC records him as being buried in the Caberet Rouge cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais. They spell his name with one T. He is listed as the son of Maxwell and Lillian Mowat of Campbellton, New Brunswick. Age 25.

andy

Mowatt was awarded Royal Aero Club Certificate number 2064 on 11 November 1915, his card gives his date of birth as 6 December 189(1)? (this is not clear on my copy) and his address as New Westminster B.C. There is a photograph of him at The RAFM, Hendon. His Air 76 record gives his address as CampbellTown N.B. Canada. He trained from 3 November 1915 with 3 RAS, posted to 23 squadron on 6 January 1916, to 11 squadron on 16 March 1916 MIA on 16 may 1916. Thought to have been the 15 victim of Max Immelmann (see his book for his versionof the event) Air1/843/204/5/369 lists him as flying Bristol Scout C 5301 that day and not returning.