Pilot Schunk and observer Roß (FA 40)

rammjaeger · 2 April 2001, 08:44 AM

Is there anything known about the aircrew Oberleutnant Schunk (p) and Leutnant Roß (o) of FA 40? Complete names? career/biography?

In early April 1918 the crew - flying over Amiens-Moutonvillers-Condé-Folie-Poix - lost orientation east of the last town because of dust, deep cloud cover and decreasing day light (start was 1800).
East of a town (obviously Beauvais) the crew landed with the intend to identify the correct flight path.

Suddenly 50-60 French soldiers (possibly recruits because of their new uniforms) were surrounding the machine, spoke to the "Américain" fliers but became distrustful after a while. Meanwhile the observer had successuly tried to turn the prop, the engine started, the observer jumped in the seat and machine-gunned the soldiers from the starting aircraft with "visible success" because the latter had reached for their weapons. (I feel sorrow for these poor chaps.)

Don´t know the correct date but it could be interesting to find a report of the French Army about this incident. Documents of the German 2nd Army could present additional info too.

Hannes

rammjaeger · 2 April 2001, 08:54 AM

I guess the incident happened after sunset otherwise even recruits could notice the German markings.

Soderbaum · 3 April 2001, 08:38 AM

Hi Hannes

I have a note that the incident occured on 7 April 1918...but havent made any reference...probably I got the information from NB(Nachrichtenblätter)

VBR
Gunnar

rammjaeger · 4 April 2001, 05:45 AM

Thank you, Gunnar.

Soderbaum · 15 April 2001, 10:51 PM

Hi

There was an observer Lt Ross who left Saxon FAA 250 on 6 Jan 1918 to join FAA 227 also within 4 German Army.
This unit left Flanders in March 1918..
On 2 June 1918 Lt Ross was reported light wounded in CGAS...
Could he be the man..?

VBR
Gunnar

rammjaeger · 16 April 2001, 05:47 AM

Hi Gunnar,

thank you, that is an interesting possibility!

VBR
Hannes