Gotha combat claim

alan peacock · 4 October 2006, 12:44 PM

I have been collecting info. on pilots who claimed Gotha bomber victories. Searching through the archives I came across some excellent info provided by Forum Ace Graeme in August 2001.

Flt.Sub. Lt. F.H. Slatter claimed a Gotha on the Western Front 29.Sept.1917. However in the Forum list of Aces this claim does not appear in his list of combat victories.

Can anyone give further info. on this claim ? [maybe Graeme ?]

Thank you,
Alan.

Scott · 4 October 2006, 01:19 PM

Think you meant

Leonard Horatio Slatter, who did not claim a Gotha.

Bob Little was shot down and killed as he attempted to down a Gotha bomber on a night raid.

Aces who shot down or attacked Gothas:

MikeW · 4 October 2006, 02:55 PM

Scott,

why have you got Ray Hinchliffe listed?

I see you quote the fairy story that he put in his logbook:

Quote:

Wounded in action on 3 June 1918: "Night patrol alone to intercept Gothas. Very dark — no moon, slight ground mist; attacked one machine which had been picked up in the searchlights over Hazebrouck. During the encounter I was shot through the forehead. As a result I crashed on top of a forest fracturing head and face."

I can assure you that what actually happened was a member of his flight made a forced landing in a field with engine trouble. Ray went to retreive the Camel, got the engine fixed and elected to fly the machine out just as the light was fading. One wheel caught a stook of corn or something and he piled in suffering severe facial injuries including the loss of an eye. No Gothas!!!

He was a notorious liar and kleptomaniac, and was in fact asked to resign his commission in the Army or face a courts martial. He left the RAF in similar mysterious circumstances in 1919, resigning under threat of sacking by Portal.

I have several photos of him if you want one - with or without eye-patch.

Mike

Scott · 5 October 2006, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW

Scott,

why have you got Ray Hinchliffe listed?

I see you quote the fairy story that he put in his logbook:

Hadn't heard that and yes, an image would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Mike.

alan peacock · 6 October 2006, 12:01 PM

Scott,
Thanks for the list of pilots that you posted,
very much appreciated.
This pilot 'Hinchliffe' seems to have been quite a character
according to the info. from Mike W. I had not heard much about
this man before.

Cheers ,
Alan.

Graeme · 7 October 2006, 11:00 AM

It's possible I've duplicated his claim on 25 September 1917, but I've got him in Pup N6179 rather than Camel N6348, which thickens the plot. I'll see if I've got any supporting notes.

Graeme