'Albatros' shot down by a Nieuport, 17 Dec 17

[Errol Martyn]

Another entry from L. M. Isitt's log book:

RE.8 B3424 with Williamson, 3.5 hrs, 6500 ft. Shoot 175, attacked by Albatros which was shot down by Nieuports, 17 Dec 17

Is anyone here able to confirm details of this shoot down?

TIA,

Errol

[LDT006]

There wasn't much activity in the air on that day, the only one that is listed:

Ltn. Clauss (or Clausz?) Albatros D.Va 5390/17 at Armentieres. (Source Rick Duiven)

Luc.

[AOK4]

British claims or victories may be OOC as well. One doesn't always need a lost or shot down German aircraft for a British victory... Which may make things a bit more challenging.

[mickdavis]

If Isitt's logbook gives take-off time, it may coincide with one of these 1 Sqn claims. 7 Sqn's aerodrome at Proven was only about 10 miles from 1 Sqn's at bailleuil.

 

1 Squadron put in a few claims on 17 December:

B3629: 2Lt G.B. Moore sent an Albatros D.V down OOC near Moorslede at 14.25.

B6768: Lt R.C. Southam sent an EA C-type down OOC near Moorslede at 14.20, shared B6789 (Capt W.W. Rogers) & B6830 (2Lt W.D. Patrick).

B6818: 2Lt P.G. Kelsey destroyed an Albatros scout in flames near Passchendaele.

[topgun1918]

In a series of posts on another forum, I gave details of the claims made by the RFC etc each day over the course of the war.  The entry for 17 December 1917, with narrative from RFC Communiqué number 118, was:

Lieut J L M Sandy & 559 Sergt H F Hughes, 69 Sqn, RE8 A3816, Albatros Scout captured Armentières at 13:00/14:00 - six hostile scouts attacked Lieut Sandy and Sergt Hughes, No 69 Squadron, flying an R.E.8.  This pilot and observer refused to dive away but fought and shot one down within our lines.  Lieuts Jones and Hodgson of the same squadron went to their assistance and fired away all their ammunition so returned for more, but did not find the enemy.  Lieut Sandy and Sergt Hughes were unfortunately shot down and killed [Ltn Rudolf Clauss, Jasta 29, Pow (G.101)]

Capt W W Rogers, Nieuport 27 B6789, Lieut W D Patrick, Nieuport 27 B6830 and Lieut R C Sotham, Nieuport 27 B6768, 1 Sqn, two-seater out of control south-west of Moorslede at 14:20/15:20

Lieut G B Moore, 1 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B3629, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Moorslede at 14:23/15:23

2nd-Lieut P G Kelsey, 1 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6818, Scout captured north of Ypres 14:25/15:25 [Ltn s Z Karl-Heinrich Voss, MFJ I, Kia [?] (G.100)]

An offensive patrol of No 1 Squadron engaged scouts and two-seaters near Gheluvelt.  Capt Rogers and 2nd-Lieut G Moore shot down one each out of control, while 2nd-Lieut P Kelsey, of the same squadron, engaged a scout over Passchendaele which went down in flames, broke to pieces and crashed in our lines north of Ypres.

Graeme

[Errol Martyn]

Many thanks Gents, much apprecated.

Either Moore's or Kelsey's Albatros victims would appear to be strong possibilities. No time given in Isitt's log, unfortunately.

Cheers,

Errol