4 Sqn AFC deaths

I was wondering if anyone has the info on who shot these airman down and where.

Owen Cressy Barry Lt 4 Sqn AFC KIA 11-5-18

and

Max Hardwick Eddie Lt 4 Sqn AFC KIA 5-9-18

Thanks for any insight

S.B

Firstly I'd aim you at 2 sites:

www.awm.gov.au
www.australianflyingcorps.org

The Australian War Memorial (AWM) has PDFs of Red Cross records for many Australian servicemen.
Go to the site, Select "Biographical Databases", Select "Red Cross Wounded and Missing", Enter your man's name in the Search field and send. *If your interested enter "Flying Corps" into the Unit field and get the majority of the AFC's losses.

Both Eddie and Barry have files listed there.

Cam's AFC Website has an Honour Role of all AFC men lost in WW1. *It's a good place to start.

Eddie's loss is one of the interesting stories. He *was a casualty in the single biggest loss in the Squadron's WW1 operations.

A patrol led by Trescowthick with Eddie, Lockley, Taplin and Carter was bounced by about 15 D.VIIs (IIRC) and only Trescowthick made it back. *Taplin was shot down wounded and made PoW. *Eddie, Lockley and Carter were all shot down and killed.

I have attached a screen shot of the most relevant PDF of Eddie's loss. It's not too clear but Eddie was shot down near Douai. (I had to reduce the quality to make it fit here)

Thank mate,

Yes I did read these but I wondered who claimed them as a victory.

There is a nice bit in the Offical history on the battle that claimed them.

S.B

While doing some research at the AWM I found a letter from Len Taplin to Fredrick Cutlack in which he described what happened.

Primary research material of the first order.

In Barry's Red Cross cards there is a claim of a Camel aircraft by Sgt (Fdwl)? Pech from 29 Sqn (Jasta)? North of Armentieres.

Since Barry was flying a SE 5a and reported shot down North of Armentieres could this be the victor.

The different aircraft is not unusal but do you know any Sgt Pech of 29 Jasta?

The brackets are mine ()?

S.B

[Immo_Frese]

Camelcorps,

Barry was claimed by Unteroffizier Karl Pech, Jasta 29 at 08.35 pm. Barry flew Sopwith Camel B 7480 on his last flight and he is reported shot down in flames. Pech claimed him near Armentières. It was his 6. victory. After three more kills Pech was KIA a week later on 19 May 1918 when he collided in a fight with Captain A G White from 29.Sqdn RAF between La Gorgue and Lestrem.

Eddie was claimed by Vizefeldwebel Fritz Classen, Jasta 26 at 07.00 pm german time ( one hour ahead of british time ) near Hénin-Lietard as his 8. victory. Classen survived the war with 11 kills. Eddie flew Sopwith Camel B 778...

Immo

Many thanks,

Just what I was after.

Can you confirm the victor over another AFC pilot?

Themetre James Hammond Lt 2 Sqn AFC KIA 12-6-18.

It is recorded that he may have either shot down Lt de Ldwr Pippart of 19 Jasta or both brought each other down or in a mid flight in a crash with him.

Thanks for any insight.

S.B

[Immo_Frese]

Leutnant Hans Martin Pippart was the CO of Jasta 19 when he claimed Hammond, who flew SE5a D 3960 on 12.6.1918 as his 15 victory. As far as I know Jasta 19 had no casualties this day. I don't have further information about this engagement. Pipparts final score stood at 22 kills when he was KIA on 11. Aug 1918. He bailed out too low for his parachute to open...

Regards, Immo

Thanks Mate for your help.

S.B