Fighting the better Circus

On 02-July-1918 a patrol of nine planes from 27th. Squadron engaged a patrol of nine planes of the Richtofen Circus near Verdilly, France.

In the german formation were three of the greatest aces in the Circus: Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt and Friedrich Friedrichs. All these three pilots were credited with kills that day. After a terrible dog-fight, two airplanes from each side were shot down (instead of the german records which claims four kills).

From the american side, Lt. Wanamaker was shot down and taken POW by Lt. Udet of the Jasta 4 and Lt. Elliot was KIA by one (or more) of the pilots of the Jasta 10. Lts. MacArthur, Hoover, Schmitt, Grant, Hudson and Norton were credited with two shared kills.

Does somebody know who was the ninth American pilot in that flight ?

The hun planes were Albatros, Pfalz or Fokkers ?

Thanks.

[stephen]

The missing American pilot was 1LT E. W. Rucker. Rucker joined the 27th while the unit was still in the US, on 4 December 1917. He was one of the unit's three flight commanders at war's end. My records show that Rucker was still on the squadron's strength as of 21 November 1918, though I cannot say with certainty when he left.

Hudson reported that nine German Fokker DVII's attacked his unit, and remember, his flight was flying separately from Norton's, which joined the fight a few moments later.

Elliott's body was identified after the war by a conspicuous gold tooth. It had been buried for quite some time and the Germans had erected a cross over it, naming only an American flying officer as being buried there. He was from Muncie, Indiana (an hour or so away from Indianapolis).

Hope that helps.

Thank you very much Stephen ! ...

[stephen]

You're most welcome. Nothing better than discussing anything even remotely connected with Frank Luke!