German pilot shot down in flames

Trebrys · 27 April 2007, 02:04 PM

I wonder if the experts out there can help me?

I have recently come across a brief extract in a fellow Welshman's diary dated March 12 1918 whilst he was entrenched with the 154 Brigade, Highland Division in Beaumetz near Cambrai. The date might not be exact in that it could have been a few days after.

In it he mentions briefly that he saw a German aeroplane shot down in flames and that he could see Cambrai in the distance, though possibly not both at the same time. Would it be possible to find out who that pilot was and perhaps who shot him down?

Any ideas anyone?

Many thanks,
Trebrys.

Trebrys · 29 April 2007, 03:22 AM

Just in case anyone is interested, but it seems that the flyers mentioned in the above post have been identified.

They were possibly Vfw. Rudolf Mischke (pilot) of Reichenbach and Ltn.d.R. Herbert Reissig (observer) of Berlin. They flew with FA 263. The aeroplane was an Albatros (D type).

Would anyone be able to conform that FA 263 flew these?

They were possibly shot down by Ltns. H.W. Sellars and C. C. Robson of No. 11 Squadron.

StephenLawson · 29 April 2007, 03:53 AM

They would have flown C types at this time. D types are single seat fighters. C type are armed two seaters. Probably an Alb. C XII as a guess. For German two sater information check the files of James kerr at the Univer. of Texas at Dallas. Special collections dept. The secretary is Ms. Carol? Good luck.

Trebrys · 29 April 2007, 05:29 AM

Many thanks for your input.

I'd just realised the problem some ten minutes ago too when I remembered that D types were single-seaters!

Oops!

Immo_Frese · 29 April 2007, 05:32 AM

Trebrys,

FAA 263 was stationed at Boucheneuil around March 1918. In January 1918 the unit was equipped with three DFW C.V, three LVG C.V and a Halberstadt C.II. later on 15. February the Halberstadt was given to Schusta 10 and FAA 263 reveived a new LVG C.V. I don't think that the unit had any Albatros C-types during March but of course I could be wrong.

Mischke and Reißig were last seen over Doignies, when on a photographic-patrol. Sellars claimed that day a LVG C. VI as captured near Doignies.

As far as I know the dead german crew was buried by the Britons on a civil cemetery in Beaumetz.

Immo

Graeme · 29 April 2007, 06:33 AM

Trebrys

On 12 March 1918, Sellars and Robson shot down an LVG C that fell behind the Allied lines at Doignies (about 10 miles WSW of Cambrai). In

Casualties of the German Air Service, Mischke and Reissig are shown as being killed "Bapaume, Havrincourt"; Havrincourt is about three miles south-east of Doignies.

The only other two-seater claimed by this crew was an Albatros two-seater that also fell behind the Allied, lines, this time at Morchies (about 12 miles WSW of Cambrai), on 21 March 1918.

Graeme

Trebrys · 29 April 2007, 09:07 AM

Vielen Dank, Immo!

Thank you very much, Graeme!

You've both been very kind in helping me!

Iwan.