4 June 1918 (Brandenburgs vs. F2A flying boats)

Jos · 7 February 2005, 02:01 PM

In "German Fighter Aces of World War One" I read this:

"The respect that some German and Allied fliers had for each other was never more apparent than on 4 June 1918 when a patrol of British F2A flying boats from Felixstowe and Yarmouth were attacked by German Brandenburg WY.19 and W.29 seaplanes. In the ensuing fight a number of aircraft on either side were shot down and one of them, flown by Lieutenant Robertson, was floating wrecked and upside down on the water. One of the German seaplanes alighted alongside and the pilot asked Robertson whether he wanted to be picked up and taken as a prisoner-of-war to Zeebrugge or to take his chance on being picked up by the Royal Navy.
Robertson politely declined the offer of assistance, and with that the German pilot saluted his fallen adversary, took a picture of him and took off.
Robertson was later rescued by the Royal Navy."

Is there anyone who has info or comments on this event?

Jos

MattyBoy · 7 February 2005, 03:46 PM

Hi,

This sounds familiar to me.
I think I may have read of this from T.D. Hallam's 'The Spider Web'.
I will check on this and get back to you.

If I remember rightly, (and my memory isn't all that good), I also read somewhere that after forcing a German adversary to alight in the sea, the British pilot dropped his lifejacket over the side?

Not sure about that one, though. It may have been in WWII !!!!
Matt.

Regulus · 7 February 2005, 04:08 PM

Hi

Ah, there he is 'Olle Krischan' the fighter pilot of Zeebrugge, our good old

Friedrich Christiansen.
4 Jun 1918 Felixstowe F.2.A N.5433 Off Terschelling Forced down, set on fire while taxiing.

Best from Johan

For more info on this event go to :

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-13009.html

Regulus · 7 February 2005, 04:22 PM

BTW, Robertson was Wing Commander at the time, and CO of his unit !

He would become Air Commodore in WW II see here for a small bio :

http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/RobertsonE.htm

Best from Johan

Jos · 8 February 2005, 08:28 AM

Thanks Johan for the info,

But what about the date? 4 June, 5 June or 6 June 1918?
How come you are so sure it was Christiansen?

Jos

Soderbaum · 8 February 2005, 09:44 AM

Hi Jos

The date when Robertson was brought should be 6 Jun 18, also

TSTB gives this date...

I doubt that Christiansen was in the air during this fight as he usually did not fly with kette 3 (III C Staffel), but I dont have the KTB from See I for this date. Instead I only have a some minor extracts...

But anyway the Curtis was confirmed to Metzing and Walker as the first victory for both...

P.S There was some huge air fighting also on 4 Jun 18 between German Sea flyers and British flying boats....but...in this case was another German Marine unit involved...

Gunnar

Regulus · 8 February 2005, 10:42 AM

Hi,

Checked notes again, this is indeed the old info I found...

Gunnar is right. See I, Flg.Mt. Walker and Flg.Mt Mensing I have, Curtissboot über See in 157a it says.

Gunnar do you have any info to whom the victory on the next day went to ? I only have VC Staffel See I, Short über See in 065a.

Another thing crossed my mind concerning Christiansen. In October 1918 he was 'auf Dienstreise' when he did get the flu and had to stay for a few weeks in bed. Any ideas on this duty travelling ? Or when this exactly occured ?

Best from Johan

Soderbaum · 8 February 2005, 12:50 PM

Hi Johan

I meanwhile found another original German source which states that Metzing and Walker was the crew which landed alongside Robertsons a/c.
I also have that Metzing still only was Flugzeugobermatrose when claiming the victory, but he was shortly afterwards promoted to Flugmaat...
I dont have Walkers first name...does anyone have it...?

The victory claim on 7 Jun 18 is a problem (for me) as it with rather certainty not was confirmed as a victory....At least I cant find any sure material which confirm the claim by Scheurlen and Piel...but...it was with rather certainty at least confirmed as jzLg which makes an official "status" (but without victory number)...
I also have some some conflicting information from German sources if this incident occurred over 065a or 068b...!?
Does anyone have Piels first name...?...I will be very glad for receiving that information...

Christiansen was granted four weeks leave on 28 Aug 18. I am unsure if he actually returned to the unit before it was "dissolved" in early Oct 18...!?

Gunnar

Soderbaum · 9 February 2005, 09:01 AM

I meanwhile found an original German document which clarify that the claim by Scheurlen - Piel on 7 Jun 18 officially was confirmed as zLg, which means that the destruction of the Short could not be verified...

Gunnar

Regulus · 9 February 2005, 11:12 AM

Hi Gunnar,

Thank you very much !

Curious thing, in the Tätigkeitsberichte I have him as Flg.Mt and Mensing, you have him in other official papers as Metzing Flgz. Obermatrose.

Will check if I can find anything on Walker and Piel, but I'm afraid you have more and better material then I have

Curious thing, about Christiansen, so IF he was back late September he went on Dienstreise after this. It is indeed as you say very doubtfull that he still did rejoin his unit before it was 'dissolved due to circumstances'. I have this mentioning of the Dienstreise and Spanish flu from a book on the brothers Christiansen in Dutch from 1941.

Best from Johan