Tails Up France

Interesting film about new Pilots completing their combat training, France 1918 Imperial War Museum

20th September 1918

Lt. Mahoney and his observer 2/Lt Keir fail to return from a patrol in their Bristol Fighter F2B (E-2260). They were last seen engaged in combat at 1100 hours over Roubaix.


They were both taken prisoner and were probably the victems of Leiut. Carl Degelow, Commanding Officer of Jasta 40. He claimed a BF at 1055 hours near Annappes.


Lt.Carl Degelow of Jasta 40

Information from Over The Front magazine

Sgt Francis Knox Irvine

I have finaly managed to identify one of the pilots that regularly appears in my Grandfathers photos. Named as Irvine or Jock, he appears a popular character with his arm around someone or with a pipe in his mouth in nearly every photo of him.

Malin, Doddy and Irvine (thanks to Trevor Henshaw for this photo)

I found his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate on ancestory.co.uk and from the photo there can be no mistake it is him, Sgt Francis Knox Irvine.


Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate Photo

I would like to try and find some more information on him, find out what he did after the war and so on. I obtained his service record from the PRO but that does not tell me much more.


My Grandfather and Irvine

Francis was born on the 13th November 1897 in Aberdeen.

On ancestory.com it appears that he married an Annie Milne, his parents were John Irvine and Elspet Jane Reid and he was the youngest of 4 sons (George, James and William). He was also named after his Grandfather Francis Knox Irvine (born 23/11/1837, died 1882).

Sgt Reginald White, Sgt Francis Irvine, Doddy

Edgar Mobbs

This postcard was included in the photos that Freddie Cunningham's nephew sent me. Freddie first enlisted into the army in Edgar Mobbs' 'D' Company, 7th Northampton Regiment. Edgar Mobbs' Company are legendary in my home town of Northampton. Edgar was the Captain of the town's Rugby team, the Northampton Saints. When the war started he went to enlist but was refused due to his age so he went and raised his own company of men to fight. The company was full of rugby players. Of the 400 who joined the company only 85 are ment to have survived the war. Legand has it that when the climbed out of the trenches Mobbs would kick a rugby ball towards the German trenches. Mobbs was killed at Passchendaele. Every year they have a memorial rugby match in the town in his memory and there are also monuments to him and the Company in the town centre and at the rugby ground. In the photo Edgar Mobbs is standing in the middle of the back row holding the rugby ball. The writting on the back of the postcard says that a number of officers from 'D' Company are in the team.

Plane Crash

This photo of a plane crash was included in the photos that Capt. Freddie Cunningham's nephew sent me. In the photo the serial number of the Bristol Fighter can be clearly seen in the photo D-7984 which should help identify when and how the crash occurred. I can't find the crash mentioned in the book The Sky Their Battlefield but I can find the plane mentioned in the 48 Squadron article in "Over the Front". One the 5th September 1918 Capt. H.A. Oaks and Lt. T. Beck were flying in this plane when they shot down two Fokkers .

The doesn't appear to be much damage on the plane, apart from the fact that it is upside down. I guess the pilot responsible for the crash is standing in front of the plane.

Bikers

Thanks to Freddie Cunninghasm's nephew Richard for sending me this great photo. Capt Freddie Cunningham is riding the bike and 2/Lt George Thornton-Norris is standing behind him on the left.

Reminds me of my favorite photo of my Grandfather and his friend Sgt Francis Irvine

Cunningham, Brunton and Who else

Group photo showing Capt Cunningham in the centre and Lt. Raymond Brunton on the right. The airman on the left is unknown but might be able to be identified by his cap badge.

Christmas Card from the Front

This Christmas card was forwarded to me by Freddie Cunningham's nephew. It's a very interesting card especially since it lists all the officers in the Squadron at the time I am interested in. I guess the card must have been commissioned at the beginning of October so it was ready in time for posting for Christmas. It's strange that 2/Lt. James Cowan isn't listed on the card, I thought at first he might not be on it as he died just two days later but his observer Lt. Ludlow Jones is on the list.

Combat Report

Combat Report
Date: October 9th 1918
Time: 16-50 pm
Type and No. of Aeroplane: Bristol Fighter E.2510
Armament: 1 Vickers, 1 Lewis
Pilot: Lt, H.Thomas
Observer: 2/Lt. F.H.V.Coomer
Locality: COURTRAI
Duty: Bombing & Offensive Patrol
Height: 11,000 ft
Result: Driven down out of control: One (Partly destroyed in the air)
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Fokker Biplane – Yellow Camouflage

Whilst on Offensive Patrol, our machine was separated from the formation as I had left it for a short time in order to drop my bomb on COURTRAI. After dropping the bomb we were attacked by four Fokker Biplanes. My Observer engaged these with the rear gun and fired one complete drum into one at a range of about 100 yards. The E.A. was diving as us and the observer continued to fire as it drew nearer. The E.A. then partially broke up, first the right wheel and then the left wheel and un-dercarriage dropped off. The E.A. then went down completely out of control.

(Signed) H.THOMAS 2/Lt. Pilot. F..H.V.COOMER 2/Lt. Observer

1 Decisive

Combat Report 588

Date: October 9^th 1918
Time: 10-55 pm
Type and No. of Aeroplane: Bristol Fighter E.2608
Armament: 1 Vickers, 1 Lewis
Pilot: Capt. F.J.Phillips
Observer: 2/Lieut. J.W.London
Locality: N.W. COURTRAI

Duty: Offensive Patrol and Bombs
Height: 13,000 ft
Result: Destroyed One
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Fokker Biplanes.

I was leading a formation of 12 Bristol Fighters on an Offensive Patrol. Having dropped our bombs at COURTRAI we turned W. towards the lines. Shortly after turning West we met seven Fokker Biplanes which we engaged. The E.A. formation was very soon joined by another formation of five Fokker Biplanes. Having gathered our formation together after the first engagement I led them at hte E.A. formation. During the fight which ensued I saw one of our formation being attacked from the rear, I immediately sat on the tail of the E.A. and fired a short burst of 30 rounds into it. The E.A. turned over on its back and went down completely out of control finally crashing between HEULE and COURTRAI. After it crashed a large cloud of smoke came from the machine, I then turned to attack another E.A.

(Signed) E.J.PHILLIPS Captain Pilot. J.W.LONDON 2/Lieut. Observer

1 Decisive

Confirmed by:-

Lieut Rae and Sergt. Perkin, pilot and observer in another machine of the formation.

Eye Witness account of Cowan's Crash

Translation of letter written in Flemish by Alfons Boddin, to Ethel Gutman.

Gits,

22nd January, 1919

My Dear Miss,

In good health I have received your letter and note that you have received the various pieces which I handed to Captain Telford and I have at your request immediately taken a photo of the grave and as soon as possible sent it to you. I now also at your request reply to your questions:

1. Lieut. J.Cowan was shot down in flames in an air fight. The machine was on fire and he himself jumped out of the machine at a height of about 2000 metres and he was embedded in the ground some 50 centimetres. He came down on the territory of Lichtervelde.
2. He was killed instantly on crashing.
3. I myself was the first on the spot and immediately after I had lifted him the German soldiers came and took possession of the body.
4. He has been buried in the meadow and lies at Lichtervelde-Beverenstraat, near GITS.
5. I received he photo and newspaper cutting from the German soldiers who carried the body away.
6. There was also a German Lieut. who was in command of the men and he himself took possession of all that was found on Lieut. Cowan.

I now send you 4 photos of the grave and I hope that you will be pleased with same. Have still in my possession other photos of the grave and if you want some more you must let me know and I shall send you some. If you wish to pay a visit to the grave then you must come to my house and I will accompany you to the grave. When you come it is all the same who will be here, meals, drinks and sleeping accommodation are at your disposal. Since you ask me what I paid for the costs of the photos, it was Frcs. 20.

with kind regards,

Note. My address is

Desire Boddin,

Gits lez Roulers,

P. West Vlaanderen,

Belgieqeu.

Pourremettre a

Alfons Boddin

Letter from Edwin Telford to Cowan's Family

Somewhere in France.

3rd December, 1918.

My Dear.......

I don’t know who I have the honour of addressing this letter to, but I am writing in the hopes that the owner of the enclosed photo will receive it and also I hope that my letter will give some information that may be useful to some dear friend or relation of Lt.J.Cowan. I will tell you how I got in my possession of this photo and paper cuttings. Last Saturday I got two days’ leave to visit my cousin’s grave. His name is Capt. Maurice L. Cooper and he was also in the Royal Air Force. He was bombing a train on the Pitthem Thourout Railway and he was shot down and killed. I succeeded in finding his grave and I will tell you exactly as near as I can, the position of his grave and why I tell you is because I understand Lt.Cowan is buried quite near the same place.

Before I go any further I would like to say that I did not actually see the grave and what I am telling you is what I was told by a French or Belgian civilian – Well there is a railway running from a town called Pittem to a town called Thourout; in this railway there us a very large bending or curve, my cousin is buried just beside the Railway at this curve. I found the grave and had just finished taking some photos of the place when a Belgian civilian came up to me and produced the enclosed photo and paper cutting and he said the owner of them had fallen and was buried about half a mile from the place I have described to you. I asked him for the photo, which he refused to give me as he said that Mademoiselle (that is the lady in the photograph) was the only person that he would give it to. I think the mean rascal wanted paid for it but as he spoke Flemish and knew very little French I found it very hard to understand what he said so I may be doing him an injustice. However, I succeeded in getting it from him on conditions that I got Mademoiselle to write to him. His address is:-

Monsieur Disere Boddin,

Gits les Roulers,

Flandre Ocidentale, Belgium

If you do write to him and if you wish to get any further details from him, I’m afraid it will be necessary for you to get the letter written in Flemish to get any satisfaction. I certainly advise you not to send him any money.

The nearest town of any size to the place is Roulers and the nearest railway station is Gits station, which is in the North of Belgium. I wish I was in a position to give you more information but I am very glad to be able to send you the enclosed photo.

Whoever you may be, I offer you my heartfelt sympathy for your great loss. And may I conclude by saying, that if you think that I can, in any way, assist you, I will be only too pleased to do all I can for you if you will write to

Yours sincerely,
Edwin A.Telford, Capt. M.C.
Connaught Rangers,
Attahced 15th Royal Irish Rifles BEF,
France.

Combat Report 590

Date: October 9th 1918
Time: 10-50 pm
Type and No. of Aeroplane: Bristol Fighter E.2524
Armament: 1 Vickers, 1 Lewis
Pilot: Lieut. G.F.Manning
Observer: Sergt. H.F.Monday
Locality: COURTRAI
Duty: Offensive Patrol and Bombing
Height: 14,000 ft
Result: Destroyed One
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Fokker Biplane.

Whilst on O.P., we had just dropped our bomb at COURTRAI, when we observed 12 Fokker Bi-planes approaching from N.E. My observer singled out one E.A. and opened fire with double Lewis Guns, and after a fairly short burst, E.A. caught fire and went down out of control. We were unable to pin point crash owing to close proximity of other E.A.

(Signed) G.F.MANNING Lieut. Pilot. H.F.MONDAY Sergt. Observer

(1 Decisive)

Confirmed by:-
Lieut Rae and Sergt. Perkin, pilot and observer in another machine of the formation.

Combat Report 588

Date: October 4th 1918
Time: 12-50 pm
Type and No. of Aeroplane: Bristol Fighter E.2522
Armament: 1 Vickers, 1 Lewis
Pilot: 2Lt.T.G.Rae
Observer: 2Lt.C.R.Pickering
Locality: W. Of LILLE
Duty: Offensive Patrol
Height: 11,0000 ft
Result: Destroyed One
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Fokker Biplane.

Whilst on Offensive Patrol and flying West towards WERVICQ we were attacked by 6 Fokker Bi-planes. My Observer singled out an E.A. which was attacking another machine of our formation from beneath. I manoeuvred to allow my observer to get a good aim, and after he had nearly a drum into the enemy machine, it dived down out of control, finally crashing and bursting into flames near WAMBRECHIES.

(Signed) T.G.RAE 2/Lt. Pilot. C.R.PICKERING 2/Lt. Obs.

Decisive.

Confirmed by: Sergt.N.Hunt and A.M.Norris

Combat Report 587

Date: October 4th 1918
Time: 12-15 pm
Type and No. of Aeroplane: Bristol Fighter E.2511
Armament: 1 Vickers, 1 Lewis
Pilot: Sergt. J.Moffat
Observer: A.M. Julian S.
Locality: East of ARMENTIERES
Duty: Line Patrol
Height: 11,0000 ft
Result: Destroyed One
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Fokker Biplanes.

Whilst on Line Patrol, our machine was attacked by seven Fokker Biplanes. Two of the E.A. were engaged by the rear gun. The observer put a burst of about 70 rounds into one at close range, and E.A. immediately fell out of control. The pilot of this machine was observed to jump, and the unoccupied machine on crashing into the ground, burst into flames. (E. Of ARMENTIERES).

(Signed) J.MOFFAT Sergt. Pilot. S.JULIAN A.M. 2 Obsvr.

Decisive.

Lt.Bowring, LT.Evans also on Line Patrol.

Leter from Lt.T.L.Jones to Cowan's family

48 Squadron, R.A.F.

France.

Oct. 18^th, 1918.

Dear Mrs Gutman

I hasten to reply to your kind letter of the 14^th to hand yesterday. I have been digging out all the information I could get of the scrap and this I think will explain what happened. Five of our Bristols lead by Jimmy saw about 8 Fokker Biplanes (the best scout the Germans have) and immediately dived on them and started what we call a dog fight (a mix up). The first to go down in flames was a Hun, then one of our chaps caught it. Just then a Hun got onto Jimmy’s tail – this chap in the ordinary course of events would have been shot down by Jimmy’s observer, but it was noticed that he was not firing at all and the conclusion is that his gun jammed. Had I been there this would not have happened, as I have a perfect peach of a gun which has never failed me yet. I now have a double gun – fire both guns the same time.

How this gave the Hun the chance he wanted and he emptied a lot of lead into Jimmy’s bus. It may be of some consolation to you to know that as the Hun was firing into Jimmy, one of our chaps named Thornton-Norris shot this particular Hun down in flames. Unfortunately he was a few seconds late and the Hun had done his work. The observer Jimmy had was a fellow also named Jones who had just recently joined the Squadron. I wish I had been in the fight – Jimmy might have still been safe then. Since that fight we have shot down a number of Hun machines. He also wrote me a letter the day before telling me not to forget to go and see and tell you all about the fun we had had together. I remember I took him a long distance recon. for the first time – we were at a height of 27,000 feet when we were chased by 27 Huns. We stood no chance 27-1. I shouted to him to dive steeply for home – engine full on, while I emptied every round I had into these Huns. We got home with the engine very nearly on fire. It was though Jimmy’s skilful manoeuvring that I managed to get a Hun in flames one night and five seconds after another out of control. Will certainly let you know when I come home and will be very pleased to come and see you. How sad that his brother arrived in England just too late. Mr Brunton who shared Jimmy’s hut is now on leave. His kit, with all the little things you mentioned, is packed up and will be sent to his next of kin. Now he has given as his next of kin his father in Australia and also an Aunt in Kensington, so I am afraid you will have to write to either of them for the little articles you mention. Jimmy left instructions that a pilot names Clements who used to be in the squadron was to attend to all his kit. Unfortunately Clements has left the squadron so I don’t know exactly what will happen. All his private letters have been destroyed and the registered letter to which you refer was returned from here on the 12^th. Many thanks of everything I require. I will not be shy of asking. Believe me Jimmy has been avenged several times over and it will not be my fault if he is not avenged again before I come home. I think i told you i now use a double gun – by pressing a button i fire both together, so there’s going to be some damage.

May I hope to have a word from you again soon – I would be so pleased. Please excuse my writing in lead – I will try and find ink next time.

Yours very sincerely

T.L.Jones

Letter from Major Park to Cowan's Family

Copy of letter from Major Park, R.A.F. 48 Sqadron.

France
Oct. 6th, 1918

Dear Miss James,

It is with deep regret we wired H.Q. that Lt. Cowan was missing, believed killed. I write to you as his nearest relation as I do not know his people’s home address, will you send on this short note of mine.

On the evening of Oct. 3rd a large patrol of our Bristols was attacked by enemy scouts, one of the Bristols was seen to fall in flames from about 15,000 feet. The enemy were driven off and two sent down destroyed but we lost one of our bravest and best leaders with his observer Lt.L.N.Jones.

We cannot hold out even small hopes I fear, but strange escapes have taken place and machines on fire have got down on enemy side with occupants only injured. What did happen to young Cowan’s machine once it caught alight no one can say except that it went down fast. All our other machines were so fully occupied fighting that no one watched the unfortunate Bristol once it commenced to dive earthwards.

We hope, but the chances are small, that news will come though neutral country of those very gallant young officers having managed to land their machine and escape a very sad fate.

Young Cowan was one of our very bravest, most capable, cool-headed pilots and was well on to winning distinction. He was made acting Flight Commander and his Captaincy was expected from H.Q. any day, and in addition he was very popular throughout the squadron and we feel his loss very heavily. He was one of our most reliable Flying officers and we are very anxious to find out all possible information.

We offer you and his parents our very deepest sympathy and will you send on this note of mine to his parents in Australia. Should any word reach me I will immediately write to you again.

James Basil Cowan

Two more photos of James sent to me by his relative Craig.

James Basil Cowan - Crash Photo

I have been sent this amazing photo by Craig Moffatt, a relative of Lt.James Basil Cowan. Under the photo it says

The above shows how Lieut James B. Cowan of the 47th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, with the right wing of his aeroplane almost completely shot away by German gunfire, returned to his aerodrome after a successful bombing raid on a German Ammunition Dump, Inglemunster, N.E. of Coustiai. However he accomplished the ??? was the wonder of his fellow airmen for weeks.

Would be interesting to discover who the observer was that was flying with him that day. I know of three crashes involving Cowan. On one occasion my Grandfather was the observer and on two other occasions he was with Lt.Ludlow Jones.

I was told that the propellor base from this crash was used to for the making of a mantle clock. There is also family story that James was hosted at a special family gathering of his UK relatives prior to his final mission at which they arranged for a model aeroplane to fly around the room. Ominously the plane crash landed into James' bowl of soup.

Thanks to Craig for sharing this photo and information.