Friedrich Lang vs 2 Macchi M.5

[JerryBoucher]

Hi all

I'm interested in any information people may have on Lang's combat with a pair of Macchi M.5 on the 19th of May, 1918. From the details given about here on this website, it seems he claimed both in a short space of time. I would be very interested to know the particular details of this combat, if they're available.

Thanks in advance!

[duedicoppe]

Hi JerryBoucher,
according to the Italian official sources in that day was lost only the M.5 serial 7280, pennant 14, of 261ª Squadriglia. The pilot, tenente di Vascello Umberto Magaldi, commanding officer of the unit, was rescued by a a Macchi L.3 seaplane of 251ª Squadriglia. He tried to sink his plane, but it was then towed ashore by the AH torpedo boat “Tb 80”.
Paolo

[JerryBoucher]

Hi Paolo

Yes, that's the same info I found in the Windsock Datafile on the Macchi - so I wonder if Lang encountered the same plane twice and mistook it for different aircraft?

[duedicoppe]

In my humble opinion it was a simple case of overclaim. In the same combat also Italians claimed a victory, that doesn't find confirmation in the AH sources.
As you know, the overclaim was very common on each of the parts involved, in this as in other wars.
Paolo

[JerryBoucher]

Yes, overclaiming makes more sense of the story!

What is meant by the term 'pennant 14'?

[duedicoppe]

My apologies, it's the number painted on the hull.
Paolo