Who bombed Trier/Wehlen in Germany

hauptmann · 24 May 2007, 09:14 AM

Hello all,

I am searching for the unit who carried out the bombing leading up to the death of some German civilians in 1918. If posible even the name of the pilots.

On the picture below there are three names of civilian casualties in Wehlen near Bernkastel on the Moselle river.

It is very hard to see but. They died on february 18th 1918. This was due to a bomb. If you are capable of reading German i have found a source in a diary:

Quote:

19.2.1918. Nun hat der Krieg auch hier eingeschlagen. Gestern nachmittag brummte bereits ein Flieger hier herum, angeblich ein Deutscher. Abends gegen ½ 10 hörten wir bei Krings Fliegergeräusch. Helene auch. 2 dumpfe Schüsse, als wir 10 ¼ nach Hause gingen, fiel mir auf, daß das Tor am Hospital weit offen und ein Mann im Mondschein dort sichtlich stark erregt wartete. Heute die Lösung: Gestern tagsüber starker Fliegerangriff auf Trier, angeblich Treffer ins Regierungsgebäude und 1 höherer Beamter tot, dann Verfolgung der Flieger durch deutsche Flieger, solche jagten vermutlich ein feindliches Flugzeug in unsere Gegend. Bei dem hellen Mondschein standen die Leute in Wehlen bei der Kirche vermutlich auf der Straße statt im Keller zu hocken, eine Bombe schlägt ein: 2 Tote, einem beide Beine weg, eine Frau erhält viele Splitter u.s.w. Vermutlich ist heute großer Betrieb auf Landrats- und allen Bürgermeisterämtern. Hoffentlich wird auch ein klappender Signaldienst zur öffentlichen Warnung eingerichtet; jedenfalls habe ich mich sofort mit unserem Hausherrn über passende „Kellerorganisation“ besprochen. Besser Vorsicht als Nachsicht. Die Frau ist nach gräßlichen Qualen gestorben.

http://www.rechmatthias.de/mrtb1918.htm

The German city of Bernkastel provided me with the following ads in the newspapers.

I was wandering how i could find out which sqn flew the bombing mission and maybe even the pilot. Is there any information about sorties?

Maybe someone knows what German sqn chased the bombers away?

Thanks in advance!

vb136 · 24 May 2007, 11:12 AM

According to The Annals of 100 Squadron, by Major C G Burge, 100 Sqn RFC undertook attacks on Trier during the night of 18/19 February 1918, target being the railwaystation in Trier. 10 crews were in action during the night, but I am not sure which of these crews raided Trier.
The attacks resulted in damage to the railway, a fire in the main station building and considerable damage to the dwellings of the station-master, and the total destruction of a building in Trier.

Graeme · 24 May 2007, 01:12 PM

From RFC COMMUNIQUÉ No. 128

February 19

On the night of 18th/19th, eight machines of 100 Squadron bombed the railway station and barracks at Treves. One machine failed to return. Two other machines of 100 Squadron bombed the railway and gas works at Thionville. Both machines returned. By day, eleven DH4s of 55 Squadron bombed Treves. One DH4 is missing.

The missing 100 Squadron machine was FE2b A5601, Lt G G Jackson and 2/AM J C Guyat both Pow. The missing DH4 was A7468, Lt W Ross and 2nd Lt H A Hewitt both Pow.

Graeme

hauptmann · 25 May 2007, 01:34 AM

Wow, that's very fast and good information! Thanks guys!

Immo_Frese · 25 May 2007, 02:14 AM

Hi,

concerning the raid against Trier - there is an interesting aerial photo of the attack, probably taken during the day raid by 55. Sqdn. on this site: http://www.mpg-trier.de/d9/trier_14_...ngriffe_05.htm

Perhaps you will find more info in the book written by Adolf Welter: Die Luftangriffe auf Trier im Ersten Weltkrieg 1914-1918, Trier 2001.

The attack against Wehlen took place on 18 Feb 1918. Wehlen is located ca. 40 km NE of Trier. So I would say that one of the bombers of 100. Sqdn. was probably intercepted by german fighters , was chased in NE direction and tried to escape by letting the bombs go away over Wehlen. Another possibility is that a DH.4 of 55.Sqdn. did not find Trier and bombed Wehlen as secondary target...

German fighter units involved were probably one of the Kest-units...

Immo

hauptmann · 26 May 2007, 07:23 AM

Thanks for the info on the book, i will try to get a copy. Thanks!

Probably you are right about the plane being chased, it also is stated in the German text above. If so he was chased deeper into Germany actually. The German text also states that it was a clear night with a clear moon. So maybe the pilot found a target in Wehlen. The bomb(s) fell near the church. Also in those days Wehlen had a train-station.