dropping notes

[Jeremy]

I have read pilots would drop notes over enemy air fields asking about a missing member of the squadron or delivering information about one of their enemies but haven't read any details. How often did these flyovers occurr? Who decided who would fly over? Did they normally f ly over alone? Maybe a higher altitude played a factor? Did they display a sign of some sort to show the approaching enemy air field that they are just dropping a note and not to shoot ? Thanx

[Bombardier]

One account (can't remember the source) said that the Camel pilot who dropped the note to JG-1 confirming MvR's death was shot at. There's no way to say "King's X" approaching an enemy base!

[rammjaeger]

Bernard Deneckere sent me an article of Richard Baumgartner some month ago. The article gives an example fitting to Jeremy´s questions: The death of Lt. Peter von Ustinow and his comrad Fick (FAA 250) on friday, 13. July 1917.

"It was customary for both sides to notify the enemy of the fates of fliers shot down and killed or wounded, or taken prisoner. That was done by dropping mailbags over the airfield of an enemy squadron, and it was not unknown at the Heule aerodrome to have a British aviator fly unmolested overhead while dropping a wreath for a comrade´s funeral. He then would be escorted back to the front lines." ...

"Just east of Ypres the plane carrying Peter [von Ustinow] and Fick was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed on the German side of No Man´s Land near Hollebeke. Apparently the British gunners did not see the white identifying streamers and later an apology was made for the mistake."

[Lee Edw. Branch]

I believe it was Rickenbacker who told the story of a German observer who dropped one glove while photographing a U.S. facility. The next day they returned and dropped the other glove with a note affably conceding the uselessness of possessing only one of a pair of gloves! VBR. Lee

[thpietsch]

...when Immelmann died the Allied dropped a wreath...

[Jeremy]

Thanks for the excellent replieS! I've read about the Allies dropping a wreath for Immelmann and Boelcke. Does anyone know who the Allied flyers were that dropped the wreaths? On the reverse side-did the Germans drop any wreaths for downed Allied pilots?

[stevedrew]

Jeremy,

Australian pilot Roderic Stanley Dallas was frustrated that the German pilots in the particular piece of sky he was assigned to patrol were very conspicuous by their absence in the sky for some time.
His solution... overfly the German aerodrome, and drop a parcel containing boots and various other items of footwear, taunting them that as they were not flying, they must be wearing out much boot leather. The accompanying note read something to the effect of "boots, for the use of German pilots". Dallas dropped the package and zoomed into a cloud, as he was (naturally) being fired upon. He waited for a suitable time until a crowd had gathered around the package, opened it , and seen the contents, and the "offensive" note "picking a fight", then dropped out of the clouds, strafing the gathered crowd.
There was also the incident in WW2 when it was alleged that the Germans allowed a plane to overfly an aerodrome at a certain time to permit them to drop a spare pair of artificial legs to Douglas Bader, the legless ace now enjoying the hospitality of the German's mess. There has been many versions of the story; the germans allowed the plane to drop the legs, but that the plane also bombed the aerodrome. Another version is that the legs were dropped off without incident, but the British plane continued on to its intended target for the day, and dropped their load, despite being given a "free pass" to their target. I don't know which to believe. War is a nasty business. Both sides were intent on finding out the dispositions of their missing fliers, but no one could be aware of the approaching aircraft's purpose, whether it was a reconnaissance mission, a bombing run, or a "mission of mercy". All approaching enemy fliers were shot at.

Steve Drew

[Mac]

Headquarters would not authorize the use of fuel and the possible loss of an expensive aircraft and pilot just to drop a note – from either side. Pilot initiative only

[Barrett]

RRRROOOAAARRRR...

Ker-plop!


"Katie Liebchen:

I understand there's a staff conference in Douai this weekend; your husband is expected to attend.
If you get this note, have the count call the jasta and request Hauptmann Heidemann to detach me as an aide de camp. I'll be the one handing out towels at the top of the stairs....

Kiss-kiss,

Bruno"

[Amy]

[color=FF0000] Does anyone know who the Allied flyers were that dropped the wreaths? </font>

A.J. Evans, in his book, The Escaping Club (1921) writes that on July 16, 1916, while flying reconnaissance with Squadron 3, he and his observer "Long" crash landed behind German lines and were taken prisoner. Evans goes on to write regarding the German officer questioning them after their capture, "He seemed a very nice fellow, and was most interested to learn that Long had dropped the wreath for Immelmann. This wreath had been dropped on a German aerodrome a few days before, as an official token of the respect which the R.F.C. had felt for a great pilot".

Mick Mannock writes in his diary that on 5 September 1917, he shot down a German plane in flames the day before. He wrote, "It was a horrible sight and made me feel sick. He fell down in our own lines, and I followed to the ground, although I didn't land. The boys gave me a great ovation." A few days later, a German plane dropped a container with a streamer nearby and was spotted and collected by a balloon observer. Months later it was eventually forwarded to Mick with the following message: The 4th of September I lost my friend Fritz Frech. He fell between Vimy and Lieven. His respectable and unlucky parents beg you for any news of his fate. Is he dead? At what place found he his last rest? Please to throw several letters that we may found one. Thank before, His friend, K.L. P.S. If it possible, please send a letter to the parents, Mr. Frech, Konisberg, I, Pr. Vord Vordstadt 48/52.

Mick wrote to Frech's parents.

[Graeme]

The wreath dropped in tribute to Max Immelmann on 1 July 1916 was dropped by Lt Allister Mackintosh Miller and 2nd Lt Howard O Long, No 3 Sqn RFC. Miller got the DSO in September 1916 and rose to the rank of Major. Long was shot down and taken prisoner on 16 July with his pilot Capt A J Evans.

I recall reading that a tribute to Boelcke was also dropped by 3 Sqn RFC, the pilot being Lt Thomas Seaman Green who was kia on 13 February 1917.

If memory serves, the Germans dropped a note regarding MvR's victory over Hawker saying something to the effect that they regarded him as the English Boelcke.

[rammjaeger]

Amy,

I guess Mannock downed Uffz. Georg Frischkorn (P) and Leutnant der Reserve Fritz Frech (O) of FAA 235 near Souchez. The address should maybe read "Königsberg i. Pr., Vord. Vorstadt 48/52" =
"Königsberg in Preußen, Vordere Vorstadt 48/52".

Frech was born in Königsberg on 14. July 1894.

[Jeremy]

Thanks for the information on the wreathdroppers and stories !

[cam]

There was an episode between FA300 and 14 RFC & 1 AFC where they were dropping notes to each other after Lt Vautin was shot down and captured. The complete note is at;

http://members.nbci.com/pointcook/afc_feature_1afc_palestine_1917_2.htm



cam

[Ginger.]

In Albert Ball's Regimental musuem there is a message tube and blue and white streamer on show.This was dropped by the Germans regarding the demise of the English Ace.