24th Jan 1917

[paul leeson]

Just reading 36HAG war diary for Jan 1917. It says an Albatross was brought down in R 2 6 0, pilot and observer both captured. I assume it came down near the gun lines and the gunners captured the crew. Has anyone any more details ?

Thank you in advance.

Paul.

[Dolphin]

Paul

Ltn Ernst Bury or Burg (observer) and Uffz Max August Delkock (pilot) who were flying an Albatros C-type [probably a C.III] were made PoW near Thiepval on 24 January 1917 after combat with two FE 8 aeroplanes from No 24 Sqn RFC. Capt H A Wood was flying 7918 and Lt Alfred Edwin McKay was flying 7884 when they brought down the Albatros at 12:15. It was Lt McKay's third victory of the ten that he was credited with before being captured on 28 December 1917.

Could this be your aeroplane?

Gareth

[paul leeson]

Gareth

Yes, it would have been near Thiepval [or Grandcourt] so thank you very much for your rapid reply.

The gunners then had target practice at a plane that came down on [or just before] the 28th Jan, but they do not say exactly where [probably nearer the German lines] or what type. Any ideas on that one ?

Thank you in advance.

Paul

[Dolphin]

Paul

Capt Frank Neville Hudson of No 24 Sqn RFC, flying Sopwith Pup A652, shot down a German two-seater at 14:10 on 27 January 1917. The enemy aeroplane fell in a spinning dive and the upper right wing detached before it crashed in No Man's Land near Courcelette. It was the first of Capt Hudson's eventual 6 victories before he was taken PoW on 13 July 1917. German records show that Vfw Erich Blume (pilot) and Ltn Kurt Wöhler of FA239(A) [Artillery Flying Unit 239] were killed near Beaulincourt on 27 January. I can't find Beaulincourt on a map - could this be the aeroplane in question?

Regards

Gareth

[Adrian Roberts]

It was Lt McKay's third victory of the ten that he was credited with before being captured on 28 December 1917.

According to theaerodrome.com, Alfred McKay was killed on 28/12/17, not POW. (Its on the internet, it must be right!)

Capt Frank Neville Hudson of No 24 Sqn RFC

Also according to that mine of information, Frank Hudson was born in Beckenham, Kent - same as me! It doesn't say when he died.

[mickdavis]

Surely DH2s not FE8s.

7884 24 Sqn Bertangles/Chipilly and victs 9.11.1916 (2Lt AE McKay shared destruction of EA D-type near Le Transloy with 7930 and A305), 24.1.1917 (2Lt AE McKay shared destruction of an Albatros C-type near Flers with 7918) and 25.1.1917 (2Lt AE McKay shared captured Albatros D.II near Bapaume – Flgr Kinkel, Jasta B captured). Flown to England 6.7.1917.

7918 24 Sqn Bertangles/Chipilly dd 5.9.1916 and victs 20.10.1916 (2Lt HA Wood destroyed an EA D-type near Martinpuich) and 24.1.1917 (Capt HA Wood shared capture of an Albatros C-type near Flers with 7884).

[Dolphin]

Mick

Of course, you're correct, they were DH 2s. The lesson is that I shouldn't try to answer questions late at night, and then mis-read the entry on No 24 Sqn in Squadrons.

Cheers

Gareth

[Dolphin]

According to theaerodrome.com, Alfred McKay was killed on 28/12/17, not POW. (Its on the internet, it must be right!)

Adrian

Well, yes and no. Capt Alfred Edwin McKay of London, Ontario, died as a PoW.

Cheers

Gareth

[paul leeson]

Thank you all for your help, most interesting. The reason for my original question was that my GF who was a gunner in 140SB RGA [part of 36HAG at that time] told a story of escorting and guarding a couple of prisoners so I was trying to join the 2 stories together.

Paul

[paul leeson]

Paul

Capt Frank Neville Hudson of No 24 Sqn RFC, flying Sopwith Pup A652, shot down a German two-seater at 14:10 on 27 January 1917. The enemy aeroplane fell in a spinning dive and the upper right wing detached before it crashed in No Man's Land near Courcelette. It was the first of Capt Hudson's eventual 6 victories before he was taken PoW on 13 July 1917. German records show that Vfw Erich Blume (pilot) and Ltn Kurt Wöhler of FA239(A) [Artillery Flying Unit 239] were killed near Beaulincourt on 27 January. I can't find Beaulincourt on a map - could this be the aeroplane in question?

Regards

Gareth

Gareth, I do not think this is the plane in question, I looked again in the diary and it says the plane fell in L31A which is NE of Beaumont Hamel. Thanks for trying.

Paul