Any more information possible from this?

[4thGordons]

Diary Entry 1/4th Gordons, 30 Sept 1915

4pm "One of our aircraft fell about 70yds East of Zillebeke Street Communications Trench, our stretcher bearers brought in an officer wounded in both legs"

Does anyone have any additional information on the aircraft/pilot?

(Zillebeke is in the vicinity of Maple Copse and Sanctuary Wood)

Chris

[Dolphin]

Chris

The only entry in The Sky Their Battlefield that fits your scenario is the mention of Lt A Sommervail of No 6 Sqn RFC who was wounded in action and subsequently hospitalised on 30 September 1915. Unfortunately, the type of aircraft he was flying, and its serial number aren't recorded.

No 6 Sqn was based at Droglandt aerodrome (a few kilometres north west of Poperinghe) in September 1915, and were operating over the Ypres area, including Zillebeke. At the time, the squadron was flying a mixture of aircraft types, including the ubiquitous BE 2c, the FE 2a and the Bristol Scout.

Lt Sommervail is mentioned in the RFC Communique of 19 September 1915 as the pilot of BE 2c 1740 on an artillery spotting mission, with Lt (C E ?) Ryan as his observer; The duo fought a lengthy action with a German twin-engined aeroplane over Zillebeke after 1050. The German machine, which was probably an AEG G.I or G.II, is reported to have crashed near Bissighem. After that fight, there was a brief combat with an Albatros over Sanctuary Wood.

I hope that this helps you.

Gareth

[4thGordons]

Brilliant,

Thanks Gareth.

Chris