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Frank_Olynyk · 25 June 2009, 11:22 PM

Greg,
I finally found the combat report, which is in the 3rd Brigade War Diary for Dec 1916, as report F57. It was claimed at Wancourt, Map 51B N10. The remarks on hostile machine states "About 12 or 15 H.A. Single seater scouts. Halberstads, Aviatiks, Type L & type M." (I have not found a source for these type letters). The Narrative states:

"Whilst on photographic reconnaissance near VIS-EN-ARTOIS formation was attacked by 4 H.A. who were immediately engaged.
The H.A. were quickly reinforced and for about 20 minutes they kept on attacking. We fought them, driving one down which was seen to crash at about N10 (Map51B), until only 1 drum was left for back gun. Whilst flying towards the lines 3 H.A. dived on to ou(r) tail and whilst observer was standing firing the back gun he was wounded in the arm and unable to fire any more. Whilst getting back in spite of all dodging I could do the H.A. got to close range behind and shot petrol and oil tanks, planes, controls etc.
During the combat I observed 2 other H.A. (besides one mentioned above) driven down 1 crashed and 1 seemed to land under control."

Doesn't sound to me like this can be twisted into a Nieuport. I think someone is making assumptions here, or just plain spicing the story up.

Frank.

25 June 2009, 11:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Frank_Olynyk Forum Ace Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 898	Greg, I finally found the combat report, which is in the 3rd Brigade War Diary for Dec 1916, as report F57. It was claimed at Wancourt, Map 51B N10. The remarks on hostile machine states "About 12 or 15 H.A. Single seater scouts. Halberstads, Aviatiks, Type L & type M." (I have not found a source for these type letters). The Narrative states: "Whilst on photographic reconnaissance near VIS-EN-ARTOIS formation was attacked by 4 H.A. who were immediately engaged. The H.A. were quickly reinforced and for about 20 minutes they kept on attacking. We fought them, driving one down which was seen to crash at about N10 (Map51B), until only 1 drum was left for back gun. Whilst flying towards the lines 3 H.A. dived on to ou(r) tail and whilst observer was standing firing the back gun he was wounded in the arm and unable to fire any more. Whilst getting back in spite of all dodging I could do the H.A. got to close range behind and shot petrol and oil tanks, planes, controls etc. During the combat I observed 2 other H.A. (besides one mentioned above) driven down 1 crashed and 1 seemed to land under control." Doesn't sound to me like this can be twisted into a Nieuport. I think someone is making assumptions here, or just plain spicing the story up. Frank. __________________ Civilization is the most fragile ecology of all.