Shot down over Villeveque on 8 April 1917

flyingtiger · 25 March 2007, 07:39 PM

I was wondering if anyone out there has a record of a Prussian pilot who would have been shot down over Villeveque on 8 April 1917, by I am imagining perhaps a British pilot. I just located a Junckers pilot badge with the simple engraving of the location and date mentioned above. I at first thought the style seemed more US or UK rather than German, and then realized that it was definitely NOT German with the use of "th" after the number 8. My guess is that this badge was taken by the victor as a trophy, who then had the location and date memorialized by an engraver. If anyone has any clues I woudl greatly appreciate it. I will post an image of the engraving.
Thanks,
Ron

Pete Wood · 25 March 2007, 08:58 PM

Ltn d R Roland Nauck, of Jasta 6.......??

Immo_Frese · 26 March 2007, 03:03 AM

flyingtiger,

Lt. d.R Roland Nauck was possibly a member of Jasta 6 since October 1916. He was born on 27 Feb 1893 in Iserlohn. On 26 October he claimed his only victory, most probably a Farman of Esc F 33 near Omiecourt.

On 8 April Jasta 6 was still operating from one of its aerodromes within german 2.Armee. On 13.30 hours Nauck force landed near Villeveque, some km NW of St.Quentin within british held lines. His Albatros D.III 2234/16 was given the RFC number G.21. Nauck either died in his aircraft or soon afterwards. Most probably he was shot down by Lt. Alfred de Laage de Meux, a pilot with Esc.N 124.

So there are two possibilities. Either the pilotbadge was taken by a british infantry soldier as a souvenir or american pilots of Esc N 124 did the engravement for de Laage de Meux. It is said that he was very respected by the american pilots of the unit. Unfortunately he died only a few weeks later on 23 May 1917 during a test flight with a SPAD. So perhaps the pilot badge then came back to one of the american pilots...

Immo

flyingtiger · 26 March 2007, 05:46 AM

Thank you both for taking the time to reply to my question. Especially you Immo, that was a very thorough response! No chance of one of the American Pilots of Escadrille Lafayette shooting down Nauck, eh? That would truly make this badge a treasure! In any event, it is good to put a name to this piece of silver and add some history to it.
Thanks again,
Ron