Ships damaged, attacked sunk by aircraft in WW I

[KizmeRD]

What’s interesting to note from the listing of bombing incidents believed to have resulted in damage to surface ships and submarines is the relative meagre returns during the early years of the war, as compared to the final two years of the conflict.

Clearly the introduction, on the British side, of more capable aircraft types such as the DH-4 & Handley Page bombers (and larger twin engine flying boats) made a big impact. Earlier aircraft types simply lacked payload, and the smaller bombs they carried weren’t capable of inflicting too much harm. However, the ability to deliver bigger 112lb and 230lb bombs now meant that an accurate hit on the target would at last result in something more than just negligible damage being caused.
 

MB

[James A Pratt III]

Some errata and oddities:

23 Apr 17 North Sea the Norweigen Schnoor Royal 688 GRT was capture by the German Airship L23 which landed on the sea and put a prize crew on board.

 

27 Apr 15 Gallipoli Turkish Steamer Uskudar was sunk by the Battleship Queen Elizabeth's gunfire spotted by aircraft.

 

24 Aug 17 Baltic British steamer Penelope sunk off Zerel by the small German MTB Gleitboot No1 not aircraft as mentioned in Lloyds

 

22 mar 16 Zeebrugge a A- class torpedo boat was damaged by a bomb from a RNAS Short 184

 

Black Sea operations

 

28 Mar 15 Bosporus Turkish Torpedo boat Samson missed by 6 Russian seaplanes the the seaplane carriers Alamz and Nikoli I

 

13? May 16 Bosporus Russian Submarine Morz light damaged German aircraft. Note German aircraft where a real problem for Russian submarines off the Bosporus at this time so they moved their patrol areas away from this area.

 

25 Aug 16 off Varna Russian destroyer Pospesnyj damaged German seaplane

 

2 Sep 16 Constanza Russian Battleship Rostislav light Damage German aircraft

 

10 Sep 16 Constanza 2 lighters sunk Russian minesweeper T238 damaged  18 German aircraft

 

4 Apr 17 Bosporus Russian ships "shelled" by 7 German aircraft and Hansa Brandenburg seaplane bombs Russian submarine

 

18 may 17 Bosporus Russian Mine launches attacked by 2 german aircraft 18 bombs dropped

 

26 may 17 Bosporus Russian Cruiser Pamjat Merkurija 1 german seaplane drops 10 bombs

 

23 Jun 17  Russian Submarine Nerpa attacked German seaplane

 

Note: no German U-boats were sunk by aircraft in the Black sea in WW I. The Russian submarine Morz was sunk by a mine not aircraft.

[James A Pratt III]

errata

a post on this site has the sailing barge John Evlelyn 57T 1885 hit and damaged 7/8 Sep 15 2 WIA by the SL2

 

SB

seaplane #238 and 240 mentioned above are Gotha WD 2s not 1  according to the Jack Herris book on Gotha Aircraft of WW I

 

more to come

[KizmeRD]

During the later part of the war naval aviation had become very useful in carrying out anti-submarine patrols. On sighting an enemy aircraft, the U-boat was usually forced to dive in order to escape and evade, however it does appear that British aircraft were not often successful in sinking them.  In fact, I can find only one strong probability (see below), which appears to connect to the loss of UB-32 on 22nd September, 1917. 

- Were there other confirmed U-boat losses attributable to British aircraft?

 

MB

 

 

 

[Guest]

James,

 

Mate shown on the list given in the book by O.Nikolajsen "Ottoman Aviation 1909-1919" he shows 

 

Gotha (100hp)

WD1

236  arrived May 15

237  May 15

238  May 15

239  Sept 15

240   Sept

 

Gotha (150hp)

WD2

286  Oct 15

287  Oct 15

289  Oct 15

 

I surpose its now up to our experts to find which book in correct?

 

Cheers

 

S.B

[Michael Lowrey]

Recent research has changed our understanding of UB 32 and UC 21's final patrols. Either could have been the U-boat attacked on September 22, 1917 while homebound. The lack of success on their final patrols is an issue but not necessarily a deal breaker for the air attack by Magor and Lusk.

 

UB 32 sailed from Zeebrugge on September 10, 1917 to operate in the central English Channel on both the British and French sides and the western English Channel on the British side with a patrol duration of up to 12 days. There was no contact with UB 32 after she sailed. UB 32 is only still unaccounted for Flanders UBII — all other boats of the type operating from occupied Belgium through the Straits of Dover into the English Channel or beyond have at least a very strong loss attribution.

 

UC 21 sailed from Zeebrugge on the morning of September 13, 1917 to operate in the Bay of Biscay. On the afternoon of September 16, the American schooner Ann J. Trainer (426 grt, built 1881) was stopped and scuttled 30 miles from Ushant. This was about where UC 21 should have been on her way to the lay mines in the Bay of Biscay. There was no subsequent contact with UC 21. UC 21’s patrol should have lasted longer than nine days though…

 

 

[KizmeRD]

Michael - Thanks for the additional information.

Without being too disparaging, submarine action reports seldom ever claim anything other than a direct hit, and it’s always the case that bubbles and oil are seen on the water (consistent with a submarine diving). 
Also, according to the report, the unidentified U-boat was already observed to be diving whilst the America was at a height of 4,100 ft, but after dropping down to 800 ft and making a bomb run, the U-boat’s conning tower was apparently still in view (so the U-boat hadn’t yet submerged?).

With benefit of hindsight, a ‘kill’ is perhaps less of a possibility than originally thought, but it can’t be ruled out (and it can’t incontrovertibly be ruled in). 
MB

 

 

 

Edited 18 August , 2021 by KizmeRD

[James A Pratt III]

Air attacks on British submarines ect during the Galipoli campaign:

 

E 11 ?May 15 missed

         6 Aug 15 missed possibly #286 which made an attack this day on a submarine it also made one on 9 Aug 15

          16 Aug 15 missed

           8 Dec 15 missed

E12 29 Sep 15 missed 

        5 Oct 15 missed

         6 oct 15 missed

E2      9 Dec 15 spotted Gotha seaplane

         10 dec 15 attacked

          12 Dec 15 spotted German aircraft and hide from it

Mentioned above is on 24 Apr 17 an attack on a Russian submarine by a Hansa Brandenburg  aircraft

 

In a book on these aircraft the Turks recieved:

NW nos 603,604, 608,760,770,771,774,781 in 1917

GNW nos 628,653,654 Sep 1916 to Jan 1917 period

 

I will have more on the Gotha aircraft.

[Guest]

James,

 

Yes mate

 

Hansa-Brandenberg NW/GNW

 

603 arrived Sep 1916 to Ottoman Navy

604  Jan 1917

608  Sep 1916

628  GNW Sep 1916

653  GNW  Oct 1916

654  GNW Oct 1916  reported ditched 11-6-17

760   Jan 1916           reported ditched 11-6-17

765   Nov 1916

770   Nov 1916           reported ditched 28-10-17

771    Jan 1917            reported ditched 16-5-17 in Bay of Saros

774   Nov 1916

781   Nov 1916

 

There was also

 

H-B KDW

 

1075    April 1917

1076   April 1917

 

H-B also sent WD 12's + WD 29's and some CC 's

 

I look forward to what you can find

 

Cheers

 

S.B

Edited 14 May , 2021 by stevebecker

[helpjpl]

1.  UC-66, 27 May 1917:

a)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_UC-66

b)  https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?1701

c)  https://uboat.net/wwi/boats/?boat=UC+66

d)  https://www.ontvtonight.com/uk/guide/watch/episode/EP038378750004/worlds-greatest-shipwrecks-history-beneath-the-waves.html

 

2.  RNAS H.12 8656 - :

a)  1018, sighted hostile submarine on starboard bow, altered course to attack. 1024, submarine opened fire with machine guns. 1025, dropped two 100-lb bombs, two direct hits observed forward of the conning tower. Submarine sank by the bows, stern coming out of the water at an angle of 60 degrees. Circled round position and observed bubbles and foam, considerable quantity of oil. 1028, set course south. 

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/flying-boats-over-the-westrn-approaches/

 

3.  Crew of 8656:  

Flt. Lieut, John Edward Alfred Hoare

Flt. Sub-Lieut. William Louis Anderson

C.P.O. Mech, 2nd Gr. John Frederick Tadman

+ one other ?

a)  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30194/supplement/7424/data.pdf

b)  https://www.spink.com/lot/5019142

 

JP

[Michael Lowrey]

Hoare was still a flight Sub-lieutenant when UC 66 was sunk. He was promoted to (temporary) flight lieutenant on June 30, 1917.

 

Anderson was promoted to (temporary) flight lieutenant on October 1, 1917.

[James A Pratt III]

Jack Herris "Gotha Aircraft of WW I '

 

WD 1 # 59; 285-289

 

286 287 289 to Turkey  1915 and possibly 285. 287 and 289 both lost mechanical failure 28 Nov 1915

 

 WD2 60-61 , 236-240, 254-258, 424-425, and 8 others  ordered by the Turks direct 6 in jan 16 delivered may-Jul 16 2 ordered 29 Apr 16 delivered Aug 16.

 

He also points out there are disgreements between German and Turkish sources on the numbers of seaplanes sent

 

Peter Grosz in OTF 14-1 "German Navy Seaplane Serial Numbers and Classification codes"

 

WD 1 285-289

 

WD2 59-61, 236-240, 254-258, 424-425 ( It could be a typo on Grosz part #59 could be a WD 1)

 

238-240 to Turkey 21 Aug 15

 

Michael Schmeelke book Zeebrugge has

WD 1 285

WD 2 254, 256, 257

 

 I may have more on this topic

 

 

Lloyds errata

9 Jun 15 Trawler Welfare Lloyds has sunk by Zeppelin BVLAS has submarine U-boat.net has UB -2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[clive_hughes]

Hoping it's OK to mention in this context: during the Battle of the Dogger Bank 24.1.15 some of the light forces, eg. Commodore Tyrwhitt's 1st Destroyer Flotilla, were ordered to rescue survivors of sunken vessels, but apparently were "attacked" (?threatened) by a Zeppelin.  The instruction was cancelled and they made their way back to port.  

 

Also re. the provision of Naval anti-aircraft guns: in researching a casualty I read that HMS Defence, a 1909 armoured cruiser lost at Jutland, had two AA guns fitted sometime during 1915-16 - a 12-pounder (3-inch) 12 cwt. QF gun placed on the aft superstructure, and a QF 3-pounder (47mm) gun on the quarterdeck at the very stern of the ship.  Not sure how effective these were, but something rather more powerful than machine-guns.  

[The Treasurer]

3 hours ago, clive_hughes said:

Hoping it's OK to mention in this context: during the Battle of the Dogger Bank 24.1.15 some of the light forces, eg. Commodore Tyrwhitt's 1st Destroyer Flotilla, were ordered to rescue survivors of sunken vessels, but apparently were "attacked" (?threatened) by a Zeppelin.  The instruction was cancelled and they made their way back to port.  

 

Also re. the provision of Naval anti-aircraft guns: in researching a casualty I read that HMS Defence, a 1909 armoured cruiser lost at Jutland, had two AA guns fitted sometime during 1915-16 - a 12-pounder (3-inch) 12 cwt. QF gun placed on the aft superstructure, and a QF 3-pounder (47mm) gun on the quarterdeck at the very stern of the ship.  Not sure how effective these were, but something rather more powerful than machine-guns.  

Aurora and her destroyers were picking up survivors from Blücher. Commodore Goodenough of 1st LCS was asked for assistance, but on seeing bombs dropped on the stationary destroyers, (they landed near the Miranda) ordered them to break off. He was under the impression the bombs had been dropped by a zeppelin (L.5), but this was keeping a respectful distance after having come under fire from several ships, including Southampton. He was also aware that submarines had been reported.  The bombs had actually been dropped by Seaplane '83' which spotted the British destroyers after emerging from low cloud. The seaplane came under heavy anti-aircraft fire, was hit and forced to return to base. Inevitably some men of the Blücher who might have been saved drowned.

 

All Grand Fleet ships of cruiser and above carried improvised AA guns from a very early stage within months of the war breaking out, as well as shrapnel rounds for the low angle guns. These were replaced with purpose built guns as they became available and pom-pom guns fitted to the destroyers.  Jellicoe was if anything over-sensitive to the potential use of air power to bomb the Fleet. Their AA capability at Jutland was orders of magnitude greater than the threat.

[clive_hughes]

Thanks for the clarification, Treasurer

[James A Pratt III]

Oops! I left out WD 2s 573-577

 

Another ship sunk by aircraft :

21 Apr 18 Dutch sailing vessel Meeuw 127 tons Lloyds London to Rotterdam with a cargo of pitch

 

Michael Schmeelke" Zeebrugge" page 188:

 "On April 21 the Dutch sailing vessel Meeuw was encountered within the blockade zone, in Quadrant 106 alpha, by the I. C-Staffel. The vessel was stopped with a burst of machine-gun fire across the bow, and the crew was ordered to disembark. The crew immediately left the ship and rowed in the direction of the English coast. The sailing vessel had petroleum aboard destined for England. After 25 minutes the Brandenburg aircraft fired upon the abandoned ship until it went up in flames. Of course, fishing boats continued to be left alone."

 

I would say the aircraft were W 12s

 

In the same book there is  a picture on page 178 of a smoking sailing ship with the caption: "A Dutch sailing vessel was spotted in the restricted area on March 8, 1918 and the observers of the FF aircraft fired upon its sails and set them on fire as a warning."

 

There are other accounts and photos of German seaplanes in this book and elsewhere showing them stopping, landing and searching Dutch ships.

[James A Pratt III]

other seaplanes sent to Turkey:

HB W 12; 2018, 2110-2112 all in 1918

I can find no record of any HB W29s or CCs going to Turkey

 

Albatros W4 : 5

 

FF33s: some others used in the Black Sea at Varna and Constanza

 

SF 2: possibly 1

 

SF 5: a few with others sent to varna and Constanza

 

Gotha

WD 5 #118 13 Jul 16 to Turkey

 

WD 8 #278 31 Oct 16 arrives

 

WD 9 #572 to Turkey 27 Sep 16

 

WD 12 9 ordered 28 Aug 17 by Turkey

 

WD 13: 6 delivered between 21 Dec 17 and 4 Feb 18

[Guest]

Mate,

 

These are given in that book I mentioned above;

 

H-B W12 (150hp) 

 

1013 - Aug 1917

1412  - May 1917

1413  - May 1917

1414  - May 1917

2012  - Jul 1918

2018  - Dec 1917

2019  - Dec 1917  crashed in collision at Channak 18-7-18

 

H-B W29

 

2110   Jul 1918   crashed

2111    "            crashed in collision 18-7-18

2112     "

2122   Jul 1918

2502   Aug 1918

2505   Aug 1918

2593   "

2594    "

2595     Aug 1918

 

H-B CC

 

1345    May 1917

1346      "

1347     "

 

All the above were Tos of the G Sea plane Sqn while these two were given to the Ottomans

 

H-B NW

 

Eregil   555   Jul 1917 lost around 17 Aug 1918

 

Eregil  603   Jan 1918   ditched  18 Jul 1918

 

Cheers

S.B

 

[James A Pratt III]

I have more theaerodrome.com other WW I aviation section there is a post French aircraft sinking submarines  there is a site albibers.free.fr  CAM Argostili it's in French but you can sometimes get a translation

17 Dec 17 off the coast of Greece the UC 38 was attacked by 2 FBA 100hp:

#221 S 10 SM (Petty officer) Leclerc (P) & sailor Gazache(O)

#231 S 11 SM Jean Blanc (P) & Sailor Trouillt (O)  which bombed the UC 38

the UC 38 torpedoed and sank the French light cruiser Chateaurenault with 447 crew and 984 soldiers (including 26 airmen) 10 of the crew were KIA.

the destoryers Landsquent and Mameluck with the above aircraft sank the U-boat

This unit also bombed a u-boat on 12 Apr 18 at the entrance to the Gulf of Patras

18 May 18 the U 39 was bombed damaged and interned by Donnet Denhaut 200 hp aircraft of CAM Arzeh in Algeria near the Morocan border.

1240 Appox of 2 seaplanes the one flown by EV2 (Ensign) Joesph Levy (P) & QM9Petty Officer 3rd class) Henri Baconin (O) bombed and damaged and forced to surface the U 39

later that day 2 seaplanes under EV (Lt Jg?) Lassalle bombed and missed the U 39 but 2 sailors were lost overboard and drowned

[Michael Lowrey]

Thanks for posting this — I was just about to ask my French contacts about the action resulting in U 39's internment.

Reading the German accounts of the loss of UC 38, it doesn't seem like the aircraft figured in the U-boat's destruction — UC 38 received depth charge damage from the two French destroyers that caused flooding. The submarine was able to deal with this for a time, but eventually her bilge pump failed and the compressed air ran out, forcing UC 38 back to the surface, where she was immediately shelled by the two destroyers.

[James A Pratt III]

Glad to be of help Michael. In reading it the actions of the aircraft seem overblown. the above site is incomplete but it does list French aircraft attacks on U-boats who knows you might get a match up of an air attack and a U-boats KTB.

[KizmeRD]

Yes, the main issue with a 100HP seaplane carrying both pilot and an observer was that you really had to leave the observer on the ground if you wished to carry any meaningful bomb load. FBA’s generally only carried a couple of 11 Kg bombs, which given the limitations of bomb aiming would require a great amount of good luck to hit the target and cause any appreciable damage. Even the 200HP Donnet Denhaut flying boat typically only carried a bomb load of 35 Kg. 
Their primary role was reconnaissance, not bombing - however naval aircraft on submarine patrol when working in cooperation with surface warships, proved to be a powerful tactical combination.

MB