Gotha Killers

[baldeagle]

Incidentally, the flying Sopwith Pup at the Shuttleworth Collection is now painted in the colors of N6181, the first on the Graeme's list of Gotha killers on the Western Front.

See: http://www.ivyandmartin.demon.co.uk/martin...s/pup_n6181.htm

[Graeme]

Frank

Thank's for your thoughts on the "No" that appears on numerous combat reports (especially from about May 1918 onwards). I'd always assumed that this indicated a difference of opinion regarding the outcome of a combat by the squadron commander and those at Brigade/Wing level when the Combat Report was "passed up the line".

I seem to recall there's a pencilled "No" on one of Hawker's combat reports from 1916 but the combat was reported on one of the very early Communiques.

When I have the chance I must review 151 Sqn's kill record - I'm aware that different sources quote different victors and I don't want to be responsible for passing on duff information.

Darryl, - I'll let you go first next time

Graeme

[Regulus]

Hi,

There were also quite some British AA claims on the Gotha's :

Concerning KG 3, just some examples :

5 June 1917

22 Gotha’s attack Sheerness, Shoeburyness and surroundings.
Gotha 660 was brought down due to AA fire at 6.31 PM in the sea, 3000 yards north of Barton’s Point.

18 August 1917

According to British sources two Gotha’s were shot down by the Dutch AA in defence of their neutrality. Gotha’s were accidently over Holland due to bad weather conditions

Known :
+ Lt.d.R. Adolf Hochgräbe, Gent, ° 17/07/1895 Schüren, Kasta 14, observer

Fact is that the two lost Gotha’s were Gotha G IV's 1055/16 and 1059/16. The first one came down at Beerta and went in Dutch service as LA50 and later as G700. The second one seems to have been set a fire by it’s crew and destroyed, having landed at Blijham.

22 August 1917

Gotha’s were seen attacking Kentish coast from Margate to Dover
Two Gotha’s were claimed by AA guns

25 September 1917

One Gotha did not return, British claim to have it crippled or wrecked by their AA guns

28 September 1917

Planes left on the 27th.
One Gotha claimed by the Chatham gun defences
One Gotha claimed by HM Monitor Marshal Ney off Ramsgate
One Gotha claimed by the Deal guns

6 December 1917

Bomber entered near Canvey Island was hit by gunfire and turned back, forced to land at Rochford
During removal of some of it’s equipment it accidentally caught fire
Bomber returning from London was hit by AA guns overthere and came down near Canterbury
Burnt by it’s crew before they gave themselves up


Some AA Claims did indeed result into known losses.

Best from Johan