20 Squadron RFC

Lesdee · 4 July 2008, 09:03 AM

Hi,
I came across this forum by accident and, as a consequence became a new member so all of this is quite new to me!!!
I am desperately seeking information on a Royal Aircraft Factory FE2d serial number A34 which was based at Boesinghe (?) and flew on a Recce patrol on 25 Jan 1917 - Pilot 2 Lt S Alder and Observer Lt RW White. I am particularly interested in the Observer.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Regards Lesdee

FOKKERJ · 5 July 2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lesdee

Hi,
I came across this forum by accident and, as a consequence became a new member so all of this is quite new to me!!!
I am desperately seeking information on a Royal Aircraft Factory FE2d serial number A34 which was based at Boesinghe (?) and flew on a Recce patrol on 25 Jan 1917 - Pilot 2 Lt S Alder and Observer Lt RW White. I am particularly interested in the Observer.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Regards Lesdee

Hello Lesdee,

Welcome to the Aerodrome.

If you don't receive an answer to your question, go to the Member's List and contact Testerchild ....He is very knowledgeable about Squadron 20 and
F.E. 2's in general. He should be able to supply you with the information that you seek or at least point you in the right direction.

Best Wishes, FOKKERJ

Lesdee · 5 July 2008, 10:14 PM

Hi Fokkerj
Many thanks for the advice and information. Testerchild (Bob) has already made contact and we are exchanging information. My subject area has more threads than ladies sewing box so I may well come back to you or other members for their assistance. Are you aware of any member who might have information on POWs/POW Camps where downed RFC personnel may have ended up?

Thanks again Les

RussGannon · 6 July 2008, 05:45 PM

Lesdee

Just for the Forum record: A 34 was part of a 20 Sqn patrol which tangled with scouts of Jasta 18 on 25 Jan 17. Lt Alder & Lt White were in A 34 and were seen to fall OOC and then FTL near Roncq - both were wounded and became POW's. They were brought down by Obln Grieffenhagen who claimed an 'FE' deisseits (German side) at Boubesque as his first victory. Two other 20 Sqn crews claimed 'Halberstadt' scouts as OOC in return. Grieffenhagen was himself killed in combat with 20 Sqn in April 1917.

Cheers Russ

Lesdee · 6 July 2008, 10:53 PM

Hi Gus,
Thank your for your reply to my enquirey. Having now ascertained what happened I would like to continue with my research on Lt RW White and establish the trail of his period of captivity as a POW. If there is anyone out there who is able to point me in the direction I would be, again, grateful.

Regards Les

Lesdee · 6 July 2008, 10:56 PM

Rus,
My apologies regarding your name, my fingers continue to be dyslexic and coupled with senile vision - well anything can happen. Apologies again.
Les

RussGannon · 7 July 2008, 08:19 PM

Lesdee

Don't worry I've been called a lot worse - including by some on this site. There are a lot of Forum contributers who call themselves Germanophiles - and some (a minority thankfully )who really take offence with those of us who don't share their ultra pro-German perspective of the WW1 air war.

Look my main interest is the airfighting, but there is quite a bit in the written record about those who became POW's. I'll have a little look and see if I can at least point you in the right direction.

Cheers Russ

Lesdee · 8 July 2008, 02:35 AM

Hi Russ,
Thank you for the eamil, I would appreciate any information youimght be able to provide - I have already had a facinating insight, from another member, into 20 Sqn RFC.
I envy your climate, spent 8 years in Sydney back in the 70's, although its our summer the weather in Cornwall UK is wet and windy!!!
Regards Les

Graeme · 8 July 2008, 01:47 PM

Les

It's no better over here in Kent! Still, managed to squeeze in a quick barbie this evening before it got too cold and dark.

I have it that Alder and White came down at Roncq, about 4 Km south-east of Bousbecque which is a good match for Grieffenhagen's claim. Lt T C H Lucas and Lt W T Gilson claimed a Halberstadt scout out of control; the other 20 Sqn claim was by Lt R B Wainwright and Lt J T Gibbon, but I have their victory as being a Rumpler two-seater.

I believe Grieffenhagen was the pilot of one of the two Albatros scouts claimed by Lt R E Johnson and Capt R F Cubbon, 20 Sqn RFC, on 24 April, Grieffenhagen being wounded in the leg and jaw in a combat over Comines. He subsequently returned to command Jasta 18 between 10 May and 12 August 1917.

Graeme

RussGannon · 8 July 2008, 08:27 PM

Lesdee

Its actually cold & wet here at present. Not as cold as the UK gets however. Though I did live for a time in Canberra and that can get quite cold - including snow on occasions. Also lived in Sydney - great place but too exspensive to live in any of the decent spots. My parents love 'Doc Martin' & the weather always looks nice in Corwall, but Alex Revell who is one of the Forum ace of aces, also lives there and tells me that the weather does not live up to the TV series. Never went there myself, got as far as Dorset - had to do a pilgrimage to the Bovington Tank museum - also took in Stone Henge & HMS Victory.

Most Brit RFC/RNAS/RAF POW's went to Schweindnitz.

Greame

Will update my log re the Rumpler for Wainright / Gibbon.

Cheers Russ