Unsolved losses I MFFA during March 1918

Regulus · 30 March 2006, 11:17 AM

Hi,

On the 16th March Flugmeister Nartschis (p) was seriously wounded and Lt Graf (o) light. Two days later Graf and his pilot Flugmaat Meyer were MIA, in fact they had become POW’s.

Can anyone add any information on these events ?

Thanks and best from Johan

Graeme · 30 March 2006, 12:15 PM

Johan

The only "captured" victory over a two-seater that I have listed on 18 March 1918, is that by Sous-Lieutenant Jean Albert Van Cotthem of the Belgian Parc d'Aviation. In "Above Flanders' Fields" he is reported to have been on a test flight when he engaged a Rumpler two-seater which he forced down behind the Belgian lines. The crew were taken prisoner after destroying their machine. Unfortunately, Walter Pieters does not give a time or location for this victory.

Graeme

Regulus · 30 March 2006, 12:24 PM

Graeme,

Almost had forgotten we Belgians also had victories

Thanks ! That could be the one as the unit was flying Rumplers for a large part, so I think this is as close as we can get !

Great ! Another one of my mysteries solved !

Best from Johan

Soderbaum · 31 March 2006, 09:45 AM

Hi Johan

No information regarding the actual circumstances around the losses, but Flugmeister Willy Bartschis was of the more highly decorated Marine flyers and you could find more information about him in one of the O´Connors books..
He had served within the unit since 3 Jun 17 when joining in from LFS Tondern..

His observer Lt dR MA Walter Graf had served within the unit since 27 Feb 17...

The pilot who was captured on 18 Mar 18 is mostly spelled Maier in German sources, I have his first name as Karl...he had served within the unit since Sep 1917

Gunnar

Vlaming · 31 March 2006, 10:57 AM

Hi All,

Van Cotthem was indeed testing one of the new Spads XIII C1 on the 18th of March which were recently delivered to the Belgians.

He engaged unseen the Rumpler near Calais opened fire and the Rumplercrew was so surprised by the attack that they landed on the beach near Calais.

The airplane was confiscated by the French before the germans could set it on fire. Soon afterwards the french placed the airplane in the center of Calais.

regards

Wout

MikeW · 31 March 2006, 11:29 AM

Johan,

the incident on the 16th March could well have been Naval 13 yet again:

Low Fleet Patrol by No.13 Squadron attacked three 2-seater Rumplers and two 2-seater seaplanes off Westende. A general engagement ensued in the course of which FCdr Slatter shot the observer of one E.A. dead.

Mike

Regulus · 31 March 2006, 01:05 PM

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for these valuable additions !

Best from Johan