[RussGannon]

Steve

56 Sqn and SE5's had become operational - 48 Sqn with Bristol's finding their feet - 1 Naval & 8 Naval with Sop Tripes being ever agressive. Pup merchants of 3 Naval, 54 Sqn & 66 Sqn hadn't been particuklarly mauled and certainly did not patrol in fear of Albatri. 60 Sqn and to lesser degree 29 Sqn with their Nieuports had a rough time, but 1 Sqn, 40 Sqn & 6 Naval were doing reasonable job and both 29 Sqn & 60 Sqn came back strong in May & June.

Most of damage had been done to obsolete BE2's, FE2b's & Sop Strutters whom up till this time had only been for the most part protected by equally obsolete but none the less brave DH2's & FE8's. It must be rembered that the Albatros DI, DII & DIII had greater horsepower and indeed forward firing firepower than any of these. Indeed it is a credit to the DH2 & FE8 merchants that they actually achieved a handful of 'hard kills' against Albatros fighters.

Remaining FE's post April were now the more powerful and more armed FE 2d's. Indeed 20 Sqn with their FE2d's proved more than a handful for the Jagdstafflen over Ypres during summer & early autumn.

I would suggest the Jagdstafflen became increasingly 'Sopwith' shy over the summer and over Ypres salient - I dont mean Camels as such, but 'Sopwith' was used by German's for any tractor British biplane, just as Tommies was used as general term for soldiers on ground. Up till about the beginning of Aug 17 it is evident that Jasta formations would not refuse combat with British fighter patrols - but as Aug turned into Sep it is clear that they were increasingly wary - only engaging with height & numbers advantage or indulging in shaddowing with dive & zoom attacks with hope of causing and or picking off stragglers. I think the turning point were the big dogfights over Polygon wood 12, 17, 26, 27 & 28 July. Both British and German fighters were up in force and the Germans got as good as they gave.

The British had always been offensive (even with DH2's & FE 8's) they after all flew 'Offensive Patrols' - often attacking when situation was not in their favour; with inevitable costs. particularly as pretty well all scout fighting took place over German side - even in the darkest moments of early Apr 17.

It would be fairer to say it was the Germans who changed tactics - became to use RFC slang - more Hunnish - what VM Yeates more tactfully called 'scientific fighting.'

Cheers Russ