German Bombers in Spring of 1917

[Rockdoc]

I was checking something in my copy of Under the Devil's Eye and came across a mention of German bomber raids during the Spring of 1917. From the Diaries of 32nd AAS, based at Hill 420 and Janes, attacks by significant numbers of planes began on 26th February, when the Hill 420 gun fired on 9 planes and the Janes gun on 14 planes, the latter mounting an attack on an aerodrome. The following day they fired on 23 and 21 planes, respectively. There was a break until 4th March, when they fired on 11 and 12, the next was on the 18th when 26 planes "of various types" flew over Hill 420 and the last one with more than a couple of planes was on the 25th March, which was carried out by 7 AEG, 2 Albatros and a "New Type", again over Hill 420.

24th AAS B Sub, at the Vardar Railway Bridge NW of Karasuli, fired 170 rounds at a squadron of 15 planes on 7th March and A Sub , at Kallinova, fired 117 rounds at 18 planes, with 8 bombs dropped 400 yards from the gun on 12th March. A Sub fired 160 rounds at 10 planes bombing trenches on the 18th March.

Only two raids reached Salonika. The Diary of 73rd AAS, based on the ridge NE of Dudular, records an attack by 17 planes on 27th February "As soon as fire opened the squadron spread out, a large number of bombs being dropped on the surrounding camps." On 4th March, a squadron "estimated at 14" were reported leaving Janes at 08.10 and were sighted approaching Salonika from the north at 08.15 "dropping bombs". The enemy squadron dispersed to groups of three as they approached Salonika, instead of the normal massed attack, and went for the ammunition dumps. There's an interesting footnote: "Barrage fire was maintained and appeared to be effective as many bombs dropped were set at safety and this led one to think that they were released prematurely."

The 18th March seems to be the end of the large-scale attacks. Was the German squadron transferred to the Western Front in late March or did they adopt new tactics?

Keith

[SimonM]

18th March seems to have been the end of it. they were based at Hudova and a recce of 10 May confirmed that the sheds and train associated with Kampf Geschwader 1.According to HA Jones in Over the Balkans and South Russia, the unit was later identified in France. It had actually been planned to use the unit against Rumania, but given the collapse of the front there, was moved south.

Unfortuately, I can't access other research papers at the moment as I am still unpacking and sorting after the move to Nz, but will be revising UTDE chapters shortly, so should be able to check then.

Cheers

Simon Moody

[Rockdoc]

Cheers, Simon. Just the job.

Keith

[Rockdoc]

Simon, I was flat out wrong! Mea maxima culpa! KG1 was active for another month but I missed it because the way the events are described in the Diaries changed. 24th AAS records several bombing raids throughout April, with the last on 28th. 32nd AAS also records what are probably bombing raids - going purely on the number of planes given - in April but the planes are listed only as "various types", which isn't helpful! None of these raids reached Salonika, although some came in a southerly direction down the Vardar. Unfortunately, as they're out of range the AA Diaries don't tell us where the bombs were dropped.

According to Flight 5 Oct 1956 p 589, a raid on 10th May found that KG1 had left Hudova but I am a bit surprised that this wasn't known or, at the very least, strongly suspected. Isvor frequently reported on events relating to Hudova, sometimes giving Group Langlois (presumably a French formation) as the source of the information. If the aerodrome was lit up at night the alarm was always given in the expectation of a raid and the Sections stood to until the All Clear was received. It was possible to see planes taking off and planes as big as WW1 bombers ought to have been distinctive, even at a distance. Perhaps the raid was as much for confirmation as research?

Keith

[SimonM]

Simon, I was flat out wrong! Mea maxima culpa! KG1 was active for another month but I missed it because the way the events are described in the Diaries changed. 24th AAS records several bombing raids throughout April, with the last on 28th. 32nd AAS also records what are probably bombing raids - going purely on the number of planes given - in April but the planes are listed only as "various types", which isn't helpful! None of these raids reached Salonika, although some came in a southerly direction down the Vardar. Unfortunately, as they're out of range the AA Diaries don't tell us where the bombs were dropped.

According to Flight 5 Oct 1956 p 589, a raid on 10th May found that KG1 had left Hudova but I am a bit surprised that this wasn't known or, at the very least, strongly suspected. Isvor frequently reported on events relating to Hudova, sometimes giving Group Langlois (presumably a French formation) as the source of the information. If the aerodrome was lit up at night the alarm was always given in the expectation of a raid and the Sections stood to until the All Clear was received. It was possible to see planes taking off and planes as big as WW1 bombers ought to have been distinctive, even at a distance. Perhaps the raid was as much for confirmation as research?

Keith

Ok Keith,

I will revisit my sources. I too have blundered - missing various raids which were mostly unsuccessful, the last one being driven back by the RNAS aircraft assisting 16 Wing RFC in the 28th!

Oops

Simon

[centurion]

In March KG 1 had only just got its AEG GIIIs delivered to Macedonia which fits the 25th March raid description

[Rockdoc]

Here are the dates after 18th March that I can identify, with the Section and the guns' positions:

24th:

5/4/1917 Kalinova fired 74 rounds at Bombing Squadon

8/4/1917 Kalinova & Gugunci fired on same Bombing Squadron

22/4/1917 Tertre Vert fired on 10 AEG & Fiedrichshafener planes. Gugunci gun fired on same Squadron.

23/4/1917 Same as above.

25/4/1917 Tertre Vert fired on 4 AEGs.

28/4/1917 Tertre Vert fired on a Squadron of AEGs and Friedrichshafaners. Gugunci fired on same.

32nd:

25/3/1917 Hill 420 fired on 10 AEG, Friedrichshafeners and one "New Type"

28/3/1917 Hill 420 fired on 7 planes of "Various Types"

30/3/1917 Hill 420 fired on 4 New Type & 1 Albatros (assuming new type is a bomber)

31/3/1917 Hill 420 and Ravin de Moulin fired on 6 planes of Various Types.

2/4/1917 Ravin de Moulin fired on 5 planes New Type & Albatros

4/4/1917 As above

8/4/1917 Ravin de Moulin fired on 9 planes.

22/4/1917 Ravin de Moulin fired on 21 planes.

23/4/1917 Stonehenge fired on 18 planes.

25/4/1917 Stonehenge fired on 8 planes.

28/4/1917 Stonehenge fired on 10 planes.

73rd:

20/3/1917 Florina reports 14 planes flying from direction of Monastir

25/3/1917 Isvor report 10 enemy planes taking their flight in the neighbourhood of Udova.

26/3/1917 08.00 18 enemy planes coming from Gumendze in the direction of the E.

26/3/1917 10:15 Gumendze report that the Groupe Peussiot near Karasuli signal 18 planes flying E.

26/3/1917 10:20 The British W AA report 18 enemy planes coming from GHEVGJELI towards SALONICA

26/3/1917 10:40 14 enemy planes coming from MONASTIR towards SALONICA

26/3/1917 11:00 14 enemy planes are flying from STAVROS towards SALONICA (From FHQ)

28/3/1917 17:00 ISVOR report Observatory at SOCRATES signal 5 enemy planes taking their flight

29/3/1918 10:50 ISVOR advises 8 enemy planes taking their flights

30/3/1917 08:50 ISVOR report 15 enemy planes reported by English at 8.45

30/3/1917 11:05 ISVOR report 18 enemy planes taking their flights from the Bulgar Aerodrome

30/3/1917 11:25 15 enemy planes flying from GJEVGJELI towards SALONICA

30/3/1917 11:30 18 hostile planes already reported flying W from ISVOR

30/3/1917 12:00 18 enemy planes already reported now flying towards LGUMNICA

30/3/1917 13:03 French HQ report Italian Post signals 13 enemy planes coming from MONASTIR-STAVROS. No other indication given.

31/3/1917 09:25 15 enemy planes flying south from GJEVGJELI

1/4/1917 09:20 15 enemy planes coming from MONASTER flying towards STAVROS

1/4/1917 09:35 Greek Wireless report 15 enemy planes from MONASTIR to STAVROS at 09-15. VODENA report these planes over SORIVITCH

8/4/1917 07:03 Sound of bombs heard in direction of JANIS

8/4/1917 07:05 12th CORPS advises 14 hostile machines west of SNEVCE flying south

8/4/1917 07:35 French HQ report enemy squadron reported over MONASTIR & GEVGHELI after having bombarded KUKUS & JANIS

10/4/1917 04:20 15 E Planes flying from GEVGHELI towards SALONICA

10/4/1917 05:00 15 enemy planes flying over KARASOULI towards SALONICA

10/4/1917 05:25 LE POSTE GUMENZE report 15 enemy planes passing north of VARDAR towards SALONICA

11/4/1917 09:20 18 Enemy Planes coming from NE towards DRAJONCY

11/4/1917 09:46 TOPSIN report 15 enemy planes coming from VODENA to SALONICA

14/4/1917 08:26 TOPSIN report 16 E Planes signalled by British coming from GHEVGHELI towards SALONICA

25/4/1917 15:45 French HQ report 14 enemy planes over GUMENZE

25/4/1917 16:00 French HQ report a strong squadron of planes unknown nationality flying at a great height from LAKE DOIRAN

25/4/1917 16:45 French HQ report 10 enemy planes fling from GEVGHELI towards SALONICA

28/4/1917 10:15 Wireless report 10 enemy planes flying South East from DOIRAN at a height of 8,000 feet.

29/4/1917 08:15 12 E Planes coming from GEVGHELI towards SALONICA (reported by Le Dent OP)

29/4/1917 08:17 French report 12 E Planes flying SW over SOCRATES OBSERVATORY

29/4/1917 08:30 14 E Planes flying over VODENA coming westwards

29/4/1917 09:17 French advise 14 EP flying south over RADINA

29/4/1917 09:30 SAKULUEVO report 42 E Planes flying towards SALONICA report received by French HQ

73rd was at Dudular. The above, as can be seen, are records of signals received and I'm assuming that large numbers of planes mean KG1. I checked the report of 29th April and it really does say 42 planes. That would look likely to be their departure, along with other squadrons, presumably.

90th:

12/3/1917 Janes 17:00 Squadron of fifteen enemy planes reported from Grand Couronne attacked Janes. Opened fire when in range and broke up their formation. They all circled around gun and were driven off one by one. Only one managed to get over the gun. Two were apparently hit. One observed with rudder off. One observed going home tail downwards. Action ceased at 17:30. Rounds fired 144. Fifteen heavy bombs dropped evidently 1 spot each outside a radius of 500 yards of Section and framing us.

5/4/1917 Oreovica Fired 6.55 4 rds S 7.01 2 rds S 7.21 2 rds S Hostile fleet of 12 approaching from E/ESE at 12.01 Bombs dropped on KARASOULI Owing to sun & presence of several of our own machines it was dangerous to engage for {illegible} Fired 18 rds S Enemy made off to N.NE BMRA XII Corps visited gun

8/4/1917 Janes 06:40 Large squadron of enemy planes - AEG Albatross Fokkers – engaged at 06.40 Ceased fire 07.15 188 Rds fired. Squadron of 9 approached from E of gun position and then several groups of 3 and 2. Altogether 25 were counted.

10/4/1917 Karasouli Fired 4 rds S 10.05 at 16.59 34 S & 5 HE when 12 planes engaged. Bombs dropped over VARDAR on French positions No effect

28/4/1917 11:00 Bright. Squadron of hostile planes – AEG and Albatross – nine- attacked from N at 11.00 dropped bombs driven off in NW direction 75 Rounds fired.

94th:

8/4/1917 Hill 420 Fired on 2 Friedrichshafeners around 07:00, part of a squadron of 7 over Snevce.

8/4/1917 Snevce 06:45 18 hostile planes approaching SNEVCE flying south. LVG, AEG, FRIEDRICHSHAFENER, ALBATROS & NEW TYPE engaged at 6000 yards passed east of SNEVCE towards JANES. Returned in groups of 2 & 3 at 07.30. One FRIEDRICHSHAFENER brought down by this gun east of SURLOVO.

22/4/1917 Hill 420 18:13 9 FRIEDRICHSHAFENER & 1 AEG 'planes observed flying S at 8,000 ft over KRASTALi. 1 FRIEDRICHSHAFENER 'plane engaged. Gun then out of action owing to piston rod being out of truth. Rounds expended HE 8

22/4/1917 Hill 420 18:33 24 AEG 'planes observed flying S at 8,000 ft over DOIRAN.

25/4/1917 Hill 420 18:04 1 ALBATROS, 3 FRIEDRICHSHAFANER & 2 LVG 'planes observed flying S at 10,000 ft over DOIRAN. These hostile planes were met by a squadron of 15 British planes to the NW of No 1 Gun position. Several encounters took place & 1 'plane unknown was observed to fall in flames. When opportunity occurred the hostile planes were engaged. Rounds expended HE 47

25/4/1917 Snevce 16:20 12 AEG 1 NEW TYPE ALBATROSS flying NW over DOIRAN

28/4/1917 Hill 420 10:05 2 ALBATROS, 2 HALBERSTDAT, 4 FRIEDRICHSHAFENER & 2 AEG 'planes observed flying SE at 8,000 ft over DOIRAN. 3 'planes engaged 1 'plane believed hit by this gun. Last seen coming down to NE of Gun position. Rounds expended S 5 HE 101

28/4/1917 Snevce 11:00 10 hostile planes FREDRICHSHAFENER, HALBERSTADTS, AEG over BREST (reference DOVA-TEPE 1/50000) engaged by this gun. Rounds fired 67 HE

97th:

5/4/1917 Selemli Dere 12:00 Fleet of hostile planes attacked KARASOULI (Map GUEVGUELI). On return journey No 1 Gun opened fire at two hostile planes (50 rounds in all). Owing to proximity of our own plane attacking enemy was compelled to cease fire on several occasions.No 2 Gun (Causica Station) fired 56 rounds. Weather – fine.

23/4/1917 Gokcelli after 23:00 Fleet came over position bombing position. Gun unable to be fired.

25/4/1917 16:15 Fleet of 10 planes approached from NW met by British squadron over No 1 Gun position at GOKJELLI (map Guevguelli) One plane believed to be hostile was seen to fall in flames to NW. 76 rounds fired at the hostile planes.

28/4/1917 Gokcelli 01:15 Squadron of eight engaged by No 1 Gun

Hope this helps.

Keith