Thread: Albert Ball
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Old 2 June 2005, 03:24 PM   #4 (permalink)
MikeW
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Hi Gunnar,

I understand what you are saying, I just think that a pilot of Lothar's experience would have reported being in combat with an unidentified biplane if he didn't know what an SE5 was - I believe the usual term for an SE5 at first was "Sopwith type".

I also have no problems with the authorities awarding Ball's crash to Lothar - it's exactly what the Allies would have done had it been the other way round! I do believe however the evidence is at best circumstantial and very weak indeed. As Wulfoo says "would you bet your life on it?"

I just see two versions of a fight, Lothar's and Culling's and think that location, time, descriptions and circumstances tie up remarkably well.


As for your comment about a SPAD, I think that's a red herring, I think that a SPAD 7 was more of a hit and run machine, I don't see that it was suited to a long drawn out engagement with an Albatros, a well flown Albatros at that!

Mike
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