Capt John Todd 70 Squadron

spad · 9 July 2008, 11:00 AM

John Todd is credited with 18-20 victories while serving with 70 Squadron January-July 1918. According to his mechanic AM Alexander Paice, he claimed 2 victories on 29 January, and another double on 22 March (one was a Triplane).

One victory (at least) is missing from OTT.

Any ideas, gang?

Graeme · 9 July 2008, 11:32 AM

According to RFC Communique number 124, 2nd Lt Todd claimed only a single victory, and that on 28 January 1918. The five claims I have for the squadron on 29 January are one each by

Frank Quigley, E H Peverell, Kenneth A Seth-Smith,

Frank Hobson and

Alfred Koch; I've seen nothing to suggest Todd claimed anything on this date.

Similarly, RFC Communique number 132 suggests only a single claim on 22 March 1918 out of the seven made by the squadron, two each by Quigley, Hobson and Koch, one by Todd.

Graeme

spad · 10 July 2008, 05:43 AM

Hi Graeme,

I agree. All the sources I have point to no victories on the 29th and only one on the 22nd March but Paice's diary definitely lists these victories, but gives no details. The fact that he indicated that Todd claimed his eighth on exactly the same date as OTT (which lists just seven victories at that point) makes it even odder.

Any chance they were "driven down, damaged" or shared or disallowed at a later date?

regards

Keith

RussGannon · 10 July 2008, 05:49 PM

Hi Spad

Look I'm on my local library PC, but I think he may have made two claims on 22 March - will consult my master log and get back to you. Will double check 28 & 29 Jan also.

Cheers Russ

spad · 11 July 2008, 01:07 AM

Cheers Russ,

Paice was writing at the time, and I have looked at his entries to see if they can be misinterpreted and it doesn't look like it to me. Plus as I say he tallies the eighth victory on the same date as OTF.

best regards

Keith

RussGannon · 11 July 2008, 05:29 PM

Keith

On 28 Jan 18 Todd was credited with a Fok Triplane OOC NW Menin at 15.50 with the possibility it may have been Ltn Naujock of Js 36 (equipped with Tripes & operating on 70 Sqn's front) who is recorded as being slightly injured in an emergency landing on this date.

The 70 squadron list for 70 Sqn credits him with two victories on 22 Mar 18 - a Tripe OOC & an Alb Sct crashed: both SW Cambrai at 15.50. This was during a large fight in which 12 of 70 Sqn along with 6 of 56 Sqn engaged 20 Alb Sct's & Tripes covering some low flying Halberstadt's. The action taking place between Cambrai & Havrincourt Wood. 70 Sqn made 7 claims (3 x Alb Sct's crashed, 1 Alb Sct OOC, 2 Tripes OOC and a Halberstadt) 56 Sqn made 3 claims (an Alb Sct & a Tripe OOC and another Alb Sct crashed) 70 Sqn lost one pilot POW and another FTL Brit lines WIA (2Lt JR Thompson later DOW). 56 Sqn had one pilot FTL. The opposition look to have been Js 26, Js 27 & Js 36 of JG III. Two claims by Js 26 and one unconfirmed by von Haebler of Js 36 who failed tio return. In my view Haebler (Fok Dr1 509/17) was sent down by Capt Quigley (70 Sqn) and finished off by Brit AA - he looks to have been chasing the Camel that FTL Brit lines.

Will elaborate moore if interested

Cheers Russ

spad · 13 July 2008, 01:27 AM

Hi Russ,

Thanks for that. I see that triplanes were regularly in action against 70 Squadron during this period. poor Naujock seems to have had no luck.

Paice claims that 70 Squadron brought down eleven machines on 29 January which seems a lotconsidering I can only find five. I have claims for Quigley (Albatros DV in flames) at 1110, Peverell (Albatros DV OOC at 1110), Seth-Smith (Albatros OOC at 1255), Koch (2-seater OOC at 1600) and Hobson (Albatros DV OOC at 1410) on this date. Comic Cuts reads like a patrol encountered some Albatros scouts, rather than a number of combats over a five hour period. Could it be there was more than one patrol, and we are missing some claims? He also mentions that Todd was flying a different aircraft on that date.

regards

Keith

Immo_Frese · 14 July 2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussGannon

Keith

On 28 Jan 18 Todd was credited with a Fok Triplane OOC NW Menin at 15.50 with the possibility it may have been Ltn Naujock of Js 36 (equipped with Tripes & operating on 70 Sqn's front) who is recorded as being slightly injured in an emergency landing on this date.

Hello Russ,

with great interest I read your comment on the emergency landing of Lt.d.R. Naujock on 28 Jan 1918. May I ask, from what source you got this information? I could not find anything within my data regarding this incident. I also have contradicting infos regarding his fate on 9 Mar 1918 when he was shot down over Rumbeke. According to Stephen Lawson he died from a fractured skull after a forced landing (CCI 1989/1, p.31), according to Rick Duiven he was shot through the lungs when landing during combat near Roulers and died of his wounds during transportation to the hospital (TJP, p.221)... So you see, a lot of questions around this guy

Immo

RussGannon · 14 July 2008, 06:40 PM

Spad

I have exactly what you have. But these were gained on several patrols - Britisg squadrons had three flights and these in good weather usually did three Offensive Patrols each (increasing in conjunction with each other). The first two were probably in a scrap with Js 27, the Seth-Smith claim was in a fight involving 29 Sqn & Js 36, a Lt Rogers was lost 15.30 in a scrap with Js 28.

Immo

I use a local library PC and will have to go home and check - but it is there somewhere - Kofl 4 return I suspect.

Cheers Russ.

RussGannon · 15 July 2008, 08:35 PM

Immo

Yes it is in the Kofl 4 return - 28 Jan 18 - lightly injured in a forced landing. It does not give any other detail.

As for 9 Mar 18, the same report in regards Naujock reads: 'Luftkamp Toedlich Abgestuertz.' I have both the sources you quote, but I think you will have to take up the discrepancy of injuries with Rick Duiven and Stephen Lawson.

What I can tell you is that on 9 Mar 18 he was almost certainly shot down by Lt Bembridge of 65 Sqn, who sent a 'blue tailed' (Js 36 marking) Triplane down in flames over Westroosebeke at 1640 BT.

Cheers Russ