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Intrepid · 16 August 2007, 02:38 PM

90 years ago today......

A Turkish report from the "Sinai Front" stated that on August 16th , 1917
a British aeroplane was forced to land behind it's own lines after aerial combat.

Major Frederic Bates, commanding officer of 14 Sqdn. RFC was directing artillery fire against a gun postion near Gaza.He became the target of uncomfortably accurate anti -aircraft fire.

An Albatros scout then dived on the B.E.2 with guns a blazing.
In the ensuing fight Bates B.E.2 was well "shot about".

Major Bates noted his aeroplane needed " new wings, ailerons, tanks, struts, exhaust pipes, airscrew, undercarriage, and other things".
He also noted that his observer had his wrist watch shot off, but was only
scratched.

After the fight Bates returned and finished the shoot.

Today, 90 years ago today "The Sportsman" Obltn. Gerhard Felmy left Palestine. He was granted extended leave to cure his malaria and other ailments.

General von Kress wrote in his memoirs "with Felmy's departure ,our luck departed too;after his leaving we were no longer masters of the air".

Felmy was known as "The Sportsman" by the Australians because of his sense of fair play, his piloting skills, his sporting behavior , and his humanity.

He was also considered the most formidable pilot of FA 300 by friend and foe.

From the aerial victory claims of Flieger Abteilung 300 "Pascha"

2 Dec 1916 - Felmy/Jechonnek in a Rumpler C.1 scored over Capt. F.F. Minchin over Rafah SE in Martinsyde G.100 # 7474. Minchin was forced to
land and was rescued.

6 April 1917 - Felmy/Falke in a Rumpler C.1 forced Capt. A. Murray Jones to land at Weli Sheik Nurak in Martinsyde G.100 A1583?. Murray Jones escaped.

16 May 1917 - Femy/Falke in a Rumpler C.1 forced Capt. A. Murray Jones to land after he was wounded in combat. Murray Jones escaped. leaving his Martinsyde at Abu Ghalyn.

25 June 1917 - Felmy in a Albatros D.III forced Ltn. Crerar to land at Kafiye in his D.H.1 A2623.

8 July 1917 - Felmy in a Albatros D.III forced Lt. Claude Vautin to land in B.E.12a A6321 near Bet Hanun. Vautin became a P.O.W.

Interestingly, Felmy had great respect for Capt. Murray Jones and corresponded with not only him but other Empire aviators. Felmy also wished to visit Australia after the war, and was particularily interested with visiting Murray Jones.

The German pilots and the British Empire pilots exchanged group photographs of each other.

Definitely, all a breed of gentleman warriors.

16 August 2007, 02:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Intrepid Two-seater Pilot Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Posts: 280	" The Sportsman " 90 years ago today...... A Turkish report from the "Sinai Front" stated that on August 16th , 1917 a British aeroplane was forced to land behind it's own lines after aerial combat. Major Frederic Bates, commanding officer of 14 Sqdn. RFC was directing artillery fire against a gun postion near Gaza.He became the target of uncomfortably accurate anti -aircraft fire. An Albatros scout then dived on the B.E.2 with guns a blazing. In the ensuing fight Bates B.E.2 was well "shot about". Major Bates noted his aeroplane needed " new wings, ailerons, tanks, struts, exhaust pipes, airscrew, undercarriage, and other things". He also noted that his observer had his wrist watch shot off, but was only scratched. After the fight Bates returned and finished the shoot. Today, 90 years ago today "The Sportsman" Obltn. Gerhard Felmy left Palestine. He was granted extended leave to cure his malaria and other ailments. General von Kress wrote in his memoirs "with Felmy's departure ,our luck departed too;after his leaving we were no longer masters of the air". Felmy was known as "The Sportsman" by the Australians because of his sense of fair play, his piloting skills, his sporting behavior , and his humanity. He was also considered the most formidable pilot of FA 300 by friend and foe. From the aerial victory claims of Flieger Abteilung 300 "Pascha" 2 Dec 1916 - Felmy/Jechonnek in a Rumpler C.1 scored over Capt. F.F. Minchin over Rafah SE in Martinsyde G.100 # 7474. Minchin was forced to land and was rescued. 6 April 1917 - Felmy/Falke in a Rumpler C.1 forced Capt. A. Murray Jones to land at Weli Sheik Nurak in Martinsyde G.100 A1583?. Murray Jones escaped. 16 May 1917 - Femy/Falke in a Rumpler C.1 forced Capt. A. Murray Jones to land after he was wounded in combat. Murray Jones escaped. leaving his Martinsyde at Abu Ghalyn. 25 June 1917 - Felmy in a Albatros D.III forced Ltn. Crerar to land at Kafiye in his D.H.1 A2623. 8 July 1917 - Felmy in a Albatros D.III forced Lt. Claude Vautin to land in B.E.12a A6321 near Bet Hanun. Vautin became a P.O.W. Interestingly, Felmy had great respect for Capt. Murray Jones and corresponded with not only him but other Empire aviators. Felmy also wished to visit Australia after the war, and was particularily interested with visiting Murray Jones. The German pilots and the British Empire pilots exchanged group photographs of each other. Definitely, all a breed of gentleman warriors. __________________ "Get used to disappointment" - the dread pirate Roberts "No damned man kills me and lives" - Nathan Bedford Forrest Last edited by Intrepid; 16 August 2007 at 02:48 PM.