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R Gannon · 12 October 2009, 08:37 PM

Guys this just ain't cricket!!!! As much as I love the game, is this really the place to air bad blood over the Ashes?

Back to topic at hand.

Earlier somone raised the issue of MvR and SE5's. Here is a little more food for thought. On 17 Aug 17 Capt Bowman led an early six man OP. Copying German tactics - Bowman, Potts & Horrell flew an upper patrol, whilst Mayberry, RT Leighton & DS Wilkinson flew the lower patrol. At about 0630BT, East of Polygon the lower patrol was attacked by 9 - 11 Alb Scouts - Bowman would record in his CR: 'EA formation was led by a totally red Albatross" Mayberry takes up tale in his CR: 'Two EA came down onto me, one all in red in colour, and I fought this, but they outclimbed me on every turn owing to my engine. The all-red EA overshot me, and I managed to get a short burst from both guns at him, but without effect, when suddenly my engine stopped. I started to glide for the lines but two EA got so close to my tail that I had to turn and manoevre, losing height..." We now return to Bowman: 'I dived upon the red Albatross, and was on his tail for a short time, and I fired about thirty rounds from Lewis gun, but had to leave as I was then in the middle of the EA formation.."

Rather than quote rest of these CR's - in short Mayberry realised only one of his magneto's had been working and playing with switch got his engine running again and turned on the EA; one of which immediately flew off east. At same time he saw an SE being driven down by two EA. Bowman in the meantime attacked another scout at close range and sent it down apparently OOC. Both Mayberry & Bowman continued to scrap but also continued to suffer from further engine trouble and subsequently had to returned across lines.

They were minus RT Leighton & DS Wilkinson. Laighton was clearly brought down POW WIA by Ltn Gross of Jasta 11 - 'SE' deiseits W Passchendaele 0725 GT making it abundantly clear that Bowman's flight had been attacked by Js 11. Wilkinson crashed mortally wounded at Wervicq-Sud and was credited to OStv muller of Js 28 his 22nd vic (several photos of Muller with wreck also photo of same wreck in OTF Vol 14 #2 p127). This however was over 10km south of the dogfight suggestive that Muller had evailed himself of a low flying Wilkinson probably having shook off his Js 11 attackers.

Now it is my opinion that the 'all red' Albatros was flown by none other than MvR. Richthofen purists will no doubt point to his letter to his mother claiming that he had only flown two missions in August - 16 & 26 Aug. But I would counter this was the letter of a still recovering son who did not want his mother to worry - merely admitting the two dates, because on these he had scored and news of which would no doubt have reached Germany.

Hows Zat

Russ.

12 October 2009, 08:37 PM	#37 (permalink)
R Gannon Forum Ace Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,445	Guys this just ain't cricket!!!! As much as I love the game, is this really the place to air bad blood over the Ashes? Back to topic at hand. Earlier somone raised the issue of MvR and SE5's. Here is a little more food for thought. On 17 Aug 17 Capt Bowman led an early six man OP. Copying German tactics - Bowman, Potts & Horrell flew an upper patrol, whilst Mayberry, RT Leighton & DS Wilkinson flew the lower patrol. At about 0630BT, East of Polygon the lower patrol was attacked by 9 - 11 Alb Scouts - Bowman would record in his CR: 'EA formation was led by a totally red Albatross" Mayberry takes up tale in his CR: 'Two EA came down onto me, one all in red in colour, and I fought this, but they outclimbed me on every turn owing to my engine. The all-red EA overshot me, and I managed to get a short burst from both guns at him, but without effect, when suddenly my engine stopped. I started to glide for the lines but two EA got so close to my tail that I had to turn and manoevre, losing height..." We now return to Bowman: 'I dived upon the red Albatross, and was on his tail for a short time, and I fired about thirty rounds from Lewis gun, but had to leave as I was then in the middle of the EA formation.." Rather than quote rest of these CR's - in short Mayberry realised only one of his magneto's had been working and playing with switch got his engine running again and turned on the EA; one of which immediately flew off east. At same time he saw an SE being driven down by two EA. Bowman in the meantime attacked another scout at close range and sent it down apparently OOC. Both Mayberry & Bowman continued to scrap but also continued to suffer from further engine trouble and subsequently had to returned across lines. They were minus RT Leighton & DS Wilkinson. Laighton was clearly brought down POW WIA by Ltn Gross of Jasta 11 - 'SE' deiseits W Passchendaele 0725 GT making it abundantly clear that Bowman's flight had been attacked by Js 11. Wilkinson crashed mortally wounded at Wervicq-Sud and was credited to OStv muller of Js 28 his 22nd vic (several photos of Muller with wreck also photo of same wreck in OTF Vol 14 #2 p127). This however was over 10km south of the dogfight suggestive that Muller had evailed himself of a low flying Wilkinson probably having shook off his Js 11 attackers. Now it is my opinion that the 'all red' Albatros was flown by none other than MvR. Richthofen purists will no doubt point to his letter to his mother claiming that he had only flown two missions in August - 16 & 26 Aug. But I would counter this was the letter of a still recovering son who did not want his mother to worry - merely admitting the two dates, because on these he had scored and news of which would no doubt have reached Germany. Hows Zat Russ. __________________ Our hearts so stout has got us fame For soon 'tis known from where we came Where'er we go they fear the name Of Garryowen in glory.