Udet shot down in Albatros

Wingene · 2 August 2006, 12:40 AM

Hi Greg,

I found a picture of the D.V 4476/17 on this site:
http://www.vif2ne.ru/smf/forum/archive/102/102076.htm

unfortunately for some reason I can not see it... and it is nog so easy to explain the problem to the forum administrator I think

regards

JoaoMVM · 2 August 2006, 07:29 AM

Gregvan

I never heard the story about the 70 holes, but i have seen a picture of Udet sitting in his Albatros and looking very stress, and the caption was "Udet after a combat were 21 bullet holes were counted on his machine"

But in this case he didnt crash land...

Regards
João

PS- I d really love get a date on that second story u got ...And possible victors for both Udets crashes.

TomVrille · 2 August 2006, 11:40 AM

Hi Greg and João...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregvan

... However, the way I read the story in Udet's "Kreuz wider Kokarde" (pp. 90 - 95, two sections entitled "Der erstaunte Sopwith Flieger" and "Abgeschossen") he was forced to crash his Albatros that same day, not the following day.
Greg

It might easily be that the engagement I described was on 18 October rather than 19 October. I had only van Ishoven's account as a reference, and he made a point of saying that Udet invited Buckler over for breakfast. I read into this account the notion that Buckler might have spent the night at Wynghene, and left the following day.

I probably should have been more cautious in expanding van Ishoven's story. He also stated that Buckler's Jasta 17 was based at Ghistelles, located about 20 km ENE of Wynghene (based on my aerodrome map of wretched quality). I have since learned that Jasta 17 relocated to Wasquehal on 28 August, and remained there through 6 November 1917. It appears that Wasquehal is about 30 km South of Wynghene. Whether it took place on 18 or 19 October, this could explain why Buckler went South when he and Udet parted company.

By the way João, if you are interested in pursuing any claims that might have been made for Udet's Albatros in the engagement I described, Udet's patrol area on that occasion was the region between Nieuport and Dixmuiden. I would not expect to find any claims by the Camel pilots, as they put on a very poor showing. They were probably all novices. There might be a claim by the R.E.8 crew since Udet's Albatros started trailing fuel vapor almost at once, and the Harry Tate crew would have seen this.

Now , if I can find a copy of Kreuz wider Kokarde, I guess I'll be in business ?!

Frank_Olynyk · 2 August 2006, 09:34 PM

Graham may hae additional information, since I have not cataloged all the combat reports I have copied. But, on Oct 18, 1917, at 1515 an RE 8 crew (A3660) of 34 Sqn had an indecisive combat with an Albatros Scout, red, yellow, blue & black, at Nieuport. 2ndLt Noel Parker Dixon + 2ndLt E M Slatter. Source is the combat report in Air 1, 34Sqdn/1222-3.

At 1530, same date, a 5 Sqn RE 8 (A3696) had a combat with a Albatros single seater scout (no further description) claimed as crashed, at Squares T 17 & 18, about U 20 (someone will have to determine where that actually is). The sources are RFC110 (as Highman); CR: 5Sqdn/1217-64. 2ndLt John A Higham + 1/AM S Hookway.

Frank.

Wingene · 3 August 2006, 12:49 AM

Hi TomVrille,

Ghistelles is now Gistel I think, and is about 24 km,

the photo João is talking about should be this one:

http://www.earlyaviator.com/archive/...AlbDv_Udet.jpg

regards

JoaoMVM · 3 August 2006, 07:28 AM

Hello all

Thank you Frank for the claims and Wingene for the pic, thats the one!
I acctually found a claim on 18 October by ltn George Hyde of 54 Sqdn.
He claimed an Albatros DV at 14.30 over Zarren i believe, in the comapany of Ltn Michael Gonne. Is this in the area? Could it be Udet, after he was hit by the RE8 crew?

Best Regards!
João