Shot Down Airmen

[Max]

Hello Everyone,

I am in the process of transcribing the 83rd Brigade War Diary for September 1915 and came across the following for 8th September, 1915 (near Kemmel)

"3pm Enemy aeroplane flew over Liege Farm in NW direction returning about 3.15pm dropping a smoke bomb to the N of Liege Farm, and a message just in rear of Sandbag Villa. The message contained information about two of our aviators recently shot down by the enemy."

Firstly, was the dropping of messages like this a common occurance? and secondly, and VERY much a long shot, has anyone any idea who these airmen may have been?

Andy

[Hedley Malloch]

Max,

Post this on the Aerodrome web-site. The regulars there might know.

[Max]

Hello Hedley

What is the Aerodrome website? Have you got the URL.

Andy

[Guest Pete Wood]

The URL for Thwe Aerodrome is http://www.theaerodrome.com

The click on 'Forum'

See you there

[michaeldr]

was the dropping of messages like this a common occurance?

Andy

Andy,

I cannot quantify this and say that whether or not it was a common occurrence, however I can quote an example showing that it was widespread. The following is from a book about aerial photography in Palestine; "The Changing Land Between the Jordan and the Sea" by B.Z. Kedar

"Yet alongside the ongoing warfare the rival aviators adhered to a rather chivalrous code, with each side informing the other about the fate of airmen who had been brought down. For instance, on 27 May 1918 the British dropped the following message:

Abschrift

The German Flying Corps.

------------------------------

In air combat on 24th. May 1918, one of your aeroplanes was brought down in our lines.

The occupants, Ober Lt. Breitenbach & Lt. Saradeth are both well and unhurt, and wish their Kit dropped.

Royal Air Force

------------------

Regards

Michael D.R.

I see from the Footnotes that the original copy of the above message is held in Munich at the Bavarian War Archives, Luftschiffer u. Fliegger

Edited 15 September , 2003 by michaeldr

[Guest Hill 60]

After Richthofen was shot down photos of his grave (and I think his body) were dropped over the German lines in numerous places.

I haven't got the info to hand but I have read that this was quite a common occurance on both sides of the lines.

[Max]

After Richthofen was shot down photos of his grave (and I think his body) were dropped over the German lines in numerous places.

Hello Lee

Do you think that this was an action designed to demoralise the enemy (the invincible warrior had been defeated) or as a genuine act of kindness on behalf of the RFC.

Andy

[Guest Hill 60]

Do you think that this was an action designed to demoralise the enemy (the invincible warrior had been defeated) or as a genuine act of kindness on behalf of the RFC.

I would say it was a mixture. The demoralising effect such an act would have had on the Germans wouldn't have been lost on the High Command and I am sure they would have jumped at the chance of getting extra mileage from Richthofen's death.

I would like to think that there was also a spark of human kindness involved, I am sure the High Command would have expected the same if one of their pilots had suffered the same fate.

Then there was the 'bond' between the airmen of all sides. Although not all airmen liked their opponents (I think it was Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock who said, on hearing of Richthofen's death "I hope he burnt all the way down") there was a respect borne of the fact that they all shared the same life and death.

[michaeldr]

Andy,

I cannot comment on the photographs referred to above, however in Gen. Monash's letters he mentions the following:

23rd April 1918

"....the wrecked machine and the body of Richthofen were brought in, and late in the day buried with military honours. His personal effects were afterwards taken over the German lines and dropped with a message of condolence from the Royal Air Force."

2nd May 1918

"Last night we brought down another plane quite near my chateau. The pilot was slightly wounded, but the officer observer was quite all right. He was brought in to me; I gave him a glass of wine, and he talked freely. He told me that the German Flieger Corps much appreciated the actions of our No.3 Australian Flying Squadron in placing a wreath on Richthofen's grave."

In the same book which I mentioned in my earlier post, there is a photograph of a memorial in Beersheba military cemetery the inscription of which reveals that the monument was originally erected by the Germans in commemoration of a British airman killed in action;

"This monument generously erected to one of them by their enemies was discovered and restored by their friends, January 1918."

In general I think that you will find that there was great mutual respect between all members of the air forces of both sides in '14-'18.

Regards

Michael D.R.

[Guest Pete Wood]

I have also come across one file at the PRO which showed that a note, announcing the death of a junior Infantry Officer while in captivity (captured at Gaza) was dropped by aeroplane.