H.D. Harvey Kelly

Roser · 16 February 2005, 08:11 AM

Who can help me? On 25 8 1914 : Harvey Kelly RFC pilot managed to bring dow on the ground a German plane.
From which unit was this german plane.
Where did it happen?

WillHendriks · 16 February 2005, 12:56 PM

I think the encounter you are referring to took place near Le Cateau, on August 25, 1914.

The German aircraft was identified as an Etrich Taube. This victory was also claimed (and awarded) to Lts. Wilson and Rabagliati flying an Avro. H.K. happily surrendered the small plaque that he and his observer had removed from the wreckage, saying "Your bird, I think."

This from Ralph Barker, "The RFC in WWI", p.39.

hth,

Will

Graeme · 16 February 2005, 02:28 PM

According to Henshaw's

The Sky Their Battlefield, Harvey-Kelly, Mansfield and another pilot from No 2 Squadron RFC forced a "Taube" to land in a field. Harvey-Kelly and Mansfield landed and chased the German pilot into a nearby wood.

Later in the day another German machines was forced to land near Le Quesnoy by a crew from No 4 Squadron RFC. This may have been Wilson and Rabagliati in Avro 398 (although I also have this listed as belonging to No 5 Squadron RFC).

Unfortunately, no indication of what German units were involved.

Graeme