Lt LN Ward 2 Sqn AFC

[Guest stevenbec]

Mates,

Do you have anything on the shooting down of this officer with 2 Sqn AFC.

He is shown as becoming a POW 20th Nov 1917.

Now a look at "Jasta War Chro---" shows five claims for that day of which one was a Belgian Neiuport.

Could 2 Sqn be flying the Camel shot down by OfStv J Mai near East Estourmel. Or was it another aircraft.

Do you have anydetails of his capture and captivity.

Looking forward to your answers.

S.B

[Dolphin]

Steven

2Lt L N Ward was flying DH5 A9399 of No 68 (Australian) Sqn RFC on a low level bombing mission when shot down on 20 November while supporting ground troops during the Battle of Cambrai. He left his aerodrome at 0820 and was last seen over Marcoing. 2Lt Ward was injured in the crash landing which resulted in his being taken Prisoner of War.

A9399 was one of six aircraft from No 68 Sqn damaged that day. Given the nature of the squadron's mission, it's most likely that ground fire caused 2Lt Ward's crash.

No 68 Sqn was re-designated as No 2 Sqn AFC on 19 January 1918, along with Nos 67, 69 and 71 Sqns, who became Nos 1, 3 and 4 Sqns AFC.

I hope this helps.

Gareth

[Alec McCudden]

Just to add a few details to Dolphin's reply, Lt Leslie N Ward went to France with the squadron and was shot down and taken prisoner on the opening day of the battle of Cambrai on November 20th 1917. He was ground strafing in DH5 A9399 when it's controls were cut at 1,500 feet, and it dived into the ground. He managed to swing the nose to one side before it hit, and glimsed the engine being forced back past his right leg as he was catapaulted , seat and all, through the plywood coaming and out in front of the crash. His main injury was a badly broken leg because of tight rudder-bar footstraps that he hadn't had time to adjust before take-off, but the Germans who took him prisoner gave him some rudimentary first-aid using two bayonets as splints.

Alec

[Guest stevenbec]

Thanks Mates,

That clears that up.

I'll try to find a new bloke to check uo.

S.B