Two against Seven

[stevenbecker]

Mates,

I was wondering if you can give any details of the aircraft involved in the fight between Lt's Peters/Traill and McGinness/Fletcher from 1 Sqn AFC near Tul Teram Palestine 24th Aug 1918.

The two AFC aircraft were Bristol fighters and were sent after a German recon aircraft (LVG) near Jelil and were then jumped by six German aircraft.

During the combat all but one aircraft were brought down only one returned to base (according to German sourses in the Aust Offical War History).

There is one German pilot known as killed being Vzfw Fredich Walter who is recorded as fell to his death from his aircraft after the failure of his paracute.

Can you ID the other aircaft and their pilots/Obsers and Sqn's and what do German sourse give about this engagement.

Cheers

S.B

[domsim]

Hi Steve

From Above the trenches by Shore, Franks & Guest:

On 24 August 1918 Peters and Traill, in company with another Bristol fighter crewed by Lieut P J McGinness and Lieut. H B Fletcher, engaged seven LVG’s and Pfalz scouts. Information from German sources later confirmed that only one of their machines had returned from this engagement over Bir el Hanuta.

24/8/1918 Pilot Lieut. G C Peters. Obs. Lt J H Traill in Bristol B1278

1) LVG.C Hanuteh 0815hrs

2) Pfalz DIII Hanuteh 0815hrs

24/8/1918 Pilot Lieut P J McGinness. Obs. Lieut. H B Fletcher in Bristol C4623

1) Pfalz DIII Kalkilieh 0830hrs

2) Pfalz DIII Kalkilieh 0830hrs Pilot shot on the ground. Possibly Vwz Kruger of Jasta 1(F)

Casualties of the German air service by Franks, Bailey & Duiven lists Vfw. Siegfried Walther pilot of Jasta 1(F) killed 25/8/1918 at Tulkerm Palestine. I have an image of a german report listing Vfw Walter of Jasta 1(F) being killed on 24/8/1918 after parachute failure. Looks like they encountered Jast 1(f).

A query to the aerodrome forum may get details of the others. Try this link as well.

1 squadron AFC

Cheers

Dominic

[stevenbecker]

Thanks Dom,

Yes reports mention that Walter or Walther was in Jasta 1 (F).

Can you put the webb address for the Aerdrome site you mentioned.

Cheers

S.B

[domsim]

Hi Steve

No probs. the site is here:

aerodrome forum

They are very helpful and have a number of people who are very good at the German material. I am sure they could help out on any Palestine queries you have. Good luck.

Cheers

Dominic