Questions on a book...

Picked up a book titled "Fighter Pilots of WWI" that showcased 14 pilots from the war. Inside were a few statements that I found curious and differed from what I had been led to believe. Here they are:

1) The Eindecker E2 had a single gun and the E3 had two? That is what the book said. I was always led to believe the E3 only had one gun as well. I have read of a few prototypes with 2. Also claimed Immelmann died in an E2.

2)Seemed to indicate the Fokker D2 was far more prevalent than I first thought. Was it widely used?

3) In the infamous final battle of Voss, the book mentioned the Alb that came to try and aid him fought for some time keeping Voss' tail clear on many occasions. Previously, I was led to believe the Alb dove in and was dispatched rather quickly. Are there other sources backing this up? I note it only because you often see the Voss fight as "proof" the DrI was a superior aircraft because it fought the Se5s to a standstill. Big difference in doing it alone and doing it with a wingman. Also, were those Se5s or Se5a's?

Otherwise, the book was a light read to pass the time...

Sensei

1) You are correct! The E3 had but 1 gun.
2) The Fokker D2 was not prevalent. To my reckoning, the Fokker E series gave way to the Albatros D1, Halberstadt, and Pfalz lines.
3) What is so infamous in Voss' last fight is that he 'single-handedly' fought against McCudden's flight of SE5s in his silvery-blue DR1. I too recall that the Albatros was out basically before the fight began. (I believe they were SE5a's).

[Lufbery]

Sensei,

As to your first question, it may be possible that the E.3 had two guns. I'm pretty sure I saw a picture of Immelmann next to an Eindecker of some type with two guns. Still, its a safe assumption that most Eindeckers had only one gun, regardless of model.

-Drew

[Ron_F]

Sensei,
E3s only had the single gun. E4s had the twin gun installations. one had a 3 gun install, on Immelmann, he didnt like it much. Both types were found too heavy/unwieldy by Boelcke and Immelmann.

Not enuff info on Fokker D2s, but i think they were just stop gap fighters till Halbs and Albatros' came in greater numbers. Mostly Albs.

Using 'High in the empty blue' by Alex Revell, since he has a more detailed writing on it, it seems the Albatros and Voss were cooperating together. but the attention was mostly on the tripe of Voss, as he was dodging thier bullets.

then the Alb disappeared. They claim it was a red nosed Albatros. None of the 56th claimed to have shot it down.

Ive read several statement that Voss got above them several times, but continued the fight.

Ron

Yes, the book mentions he was able to outclimb them after they engaged but he was limited by a flight of Spads above that was tangling with Albs. That part of the story did seem reasonable. As I said, the book is, at best, a light read and not much for meaningful historical accuracy.

[Droops]

'High in the Empty Blue' mentions that RD encountered an Alb soon after dispatching Voss which he then dispatched as well. This was, I believe, an Alb with a red nose.

Franks, in his book about who downed the aces of the war, mentions that there was one Alb, possibly two, that intervened to help Voss. He names one pilot, who RD shot down, and says this pilot was involved briefly. He notes that 60 Squadron first engaged Voss after seeing what they believed was a Nieuport being harassed by an Alb. Chidlaw-Roberts was one of the pilots of 60 squadron who Voss shot up before 56 squadron arrived.

I've read that there was a flight of Albs somewhere in the vicinity. Its all confused, but it appears that Albs are mentioned three times in this engagement.

1). Voss was with an Alb when initially attacked by 60 squadron. Voss damaged two just as 56 squadron intervened.

2). An Alb intervened during the fight with 56 squadron. For what duration is unclear.

3). RD shot down an Alb right after taking out Voss.

Are all three planes one in the same? I don't know. It certainly seems that the Alb shot down is generally associated with the fight, but its not clear.

Was there another fight going on with Albs in the vicinity? Is it possible that one or more Albs from this group intervened? Again, what I've read doesn't clarify the issue.

Would be interesting to see what else was written about this engagement, especially if another Jasta was nearby.

John