Wow, quite an audience! Just the squadron numbers are enough to give you a sense of just how many planes would be in a regular giant furball! Must be a couple of dozen atleast! I read in your article that the German planes were kept in check by SPAD's and Nieuports, and that only
Karl Menckhoff managed to breach the perimeter to help Voss (even if it were for a short while).
So what became of Voss' wingmen then? Who did they get into a tangle with? Were there any other victories that day by any other Allied/German airman? What became of the general melee that day? Were the 20-25 Albaroses already fighting the SPAD's/Nieuports and Voss inadvertantly flew into the vicinity, or did that happen after he was engaged by 56 Squadron?
I'm sorry I'm asking such minute questions, but I kinda find the whole situation of that day pretty fascinating! I can't imagine what must be going through Voss' mind, being in such a desperate situation, seeing his comrades trying to help but not being able to.
I've heard some people suggest that, even though Voss managed to out-climb and get higher that McCudden & Co. on a few occasions, he chose to stay and fight coz he either enjoyed the thrill of it or got greedy wanting to score numbers 49 & 50. Personally, I think whenever he climbed or dove to escape he would end up flying too close to the SPAD/Nieuport cordon, and would immediately turn around in the other direction, which would be 56 Squadron. Frankly, I think Voss was a very sharp and prudent pilot and was most certainly aware that he was getting low on fuel too, and would have definitely tried to get away before his engine died out. (I think that's what Rhys-David saw when he said Voss' prop was stationary). Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to belittle Voss' amazing feat that day, as an amateur I'm merely trying to piece together the larger picture to which Voss was a part of.
Thanx for all your help and patience Tom, really appreciate it!
