An unrecorded Richthofen victim?

[high wood]

I came across this account in an obituary of an officer that I am researching. I am slightly sceptical as Lieutenant Reginald Victor Kann, R.F.C. may well have been bounced by Jasta 11 but could not have known who exactly shot him down. The Baron may, or may not, have claimed to have shot down Kann's aeroplane on the 25th April 1917, but he could never have known who he shot down as they survived. Can anyone please add anything about this incident? Thank you.

 

Hampstead and St John’s Wood Advertiser. August 28^th, 1919.

Sad death of Capt. R. V. Kann, R.A.F.

Captain Reginald Victor (Bobby) Kann, R.A.F., who was killed in a flying accident at Stonehenge on August 21^st at the early age of 22, was the elder surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. R Kann, of 37 Lancaster Gate. W., and was married as recently as June 19^th last to Dorothy, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Love, of 98 Adelaide Road, Hampstead.

Capt. Raymond, who was held in the highest estimation by his colleagues and a large circle of personal friends for his kindly and generous nature and for his most daring spirit, was educated at the Charterhouse and Geneva, and in September of 1914, though only 17 years of age, joined as a Private in the Suffolks.

Early in 1915 he was given a commission in the 15^th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers, and proceeded to France with his regiment, taking part in the battle of Loos and other important engagements. In June 1916, he transferred to the R.F.C., being promoted to Captain in September 1918, and at the time of his unfortunate death he was about to take up a permanent commission in the R.A.F.

The log book of the gallant officer during the last two years of the war is most interesting and details some exciting adventures, one abstraction is as follows:

“April 25^th, 1917: much activity, Germans guns in front of Hulluch Wood. Two batteries knocked out with O.K.’s; attacked by five Albatross Scouts and brought down by Baron Von Richthofen in red machine. Aileron control shot away. Two M.G. bullets through my back. Landed machine safely 50 yards South of the Double Crassier, Lens. Observer unhurt”.

In this adventure Capt. Kann was shot through a lung and remained in an unconscious state, from which he emerged through the noise of the firing of his observer. After landing his machine in safety in “No Man’s Land” he and his observer ran for it, and both got to our trenches.

This is probably only one of the many acts of daring performed by Capt. Kann and the majority of the R.F.C. if they were but recorded. The tragic fate of Capt. Kann is indeed lamented by all he came in contact with and by fellow officers and men who served under him.

The funeral took place on Tuesday at West Hampstead Cemetery. The massive coffin, covered with the Union Flag, was borne by several officers of the R.A.F. The many relatives and friends attending included Mrs. Raymond Kann, (his young widow), Mr. Percy Love, Major F. A. Love, R.F.A., Capt. O. Hart, Capt. W. Miller, R.A.F., Mr. Charles E. Low and others, including several old army colleagues.

There were many beautiful floral tributes, his wife’s being in the form of an aeroplane and a heart. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. E. Miller, of St. Saviour’s Church, Eton Road, who performed the marriage ceremony of the late Captain and Mrs Kann.

Edited 16 January by high wood

[Hein Poblome]

To view a Richthofen timeline, and place him geographically on a map, visit www.meettheredbaron.com

[topgun1918]

No record of von Richthofen making a claim on that date and of the Jasta 11 victories on 25 April 1917, two were in the morning (ruling out one of them being Lieut Kann and 2nd Lieut Bousfield) and the evening victory, credited to Ltn Karl Schafer as his 23rd victory, is generally reckoned to be a Bristol Fighter from No 48 Squadron.  Whoever it was that brought down the B.E. doesn't appear to have been credited with the victory.

Graeme

 

[high wood]

Thank you for that, it is appreciated.