The Air Battle over Palestine as told in the Kriegs-Chronik der Leipziger Neuesten Nachrichten. January 1917- December 1917

Dienstag, 20.Februar 1917. Sinaifront: Am 5.Februar wurde ein feindliches Flugzeug zum Landen hinter unseren Stellungen gezwungen. Das feindliche Flugzeug verbrannte, der Flugzeugführer wurde gefangen genommen. Tuesday, 20th February 1917. Sinai Front: On the 5th February a hostile airplane was forced to land behind our positions. The hostile airplane was burned, the pilot was taken prisoner.

Dienstag, 6.März 1917. Sinaifront: ... Unsere Luftabwehrgeschütze schossen ein feindliches Flugzeug ab, dessen Führer und Beobachter gefangengenommen wurden. Tuesday, 6.March 1917. Sinai Front: Our air defense cannons shot down a hostile airplane, whose pilot and observer were taken prisoner.

Cutlack records a DH1a of 14 Sqn RFC was shot down by ground fire during a raid on the railhead at Tel el Sheria. Lieutenant A.T. Cole of 1 Sqn AFC was also hit by ground fire and was forced to land on his way home but was not captured. A third aircraft, that of Captain R.W. Williams of 1 Sqn AFC had a shell explode near his aircraft at 2,000 ft and his engine stopped. Williams dropped two smoke balls as distress signals before realizing that the the engine switch outside of the aircraft had been blown by the explosion into the off position. At only a few hundred feet above the ground, Williams restarted his engine and made his way back to the Australian aerodrome safely.

Sonntag, 11.März 1917. Sinaifront: Ein englisches Flugzeug wurde abgeschossen, sein Beobachter, ein australischer Offizier, gefangengenommen. [Sic! - HT] Sunday, 11th March 1917. Sinai Front: An English airplane was shot down, his observer, an Australian officer, was taken prisoner.

Possibly Lieutenant Heathcote of 1 Sqn AFC who landed in the sand dunes outside of Gaza with engine trouble while flying a BE2 on the 9th of March. Heathcote was 1 Sqn AFC's first captured airman. The 11th of March was plagued by dust storms.

Montag, 26.März 1917. Sinaifront: Ein feindlicher Flieger stürzte, von dem Feuer unserer Fliegerabwehrgeschütze getroffen, in Flammen gehüllt hinter unseren Linien unweit Felendje, 40 Kilometer südwestlich von Jerusalem, zu Boden. Monday, 26th March 1917. Sinai Front: A hostile airplane was hit by the fire of our defensive cannons and fell in flames behind our lines near Felendje, 40 kilometres southwest of Jerusalem.

FA300 had received eight new Rumpler C.I aircraft with forward firing Spandau's and a rearward Parabellum for the observer. Three of the new aircraft were assembled at Damascus and sent to the Flieger-Abteilung on 19th of March. The First Battle of Gaza would begin on the 23rd of March.

Konstantinopel, 8.April. Amtlicher Heeresbericht vom 7.April. Sinai-Front: Unsere Flieger zwangen ein feindliches Flugzeug zur Landung, das darauf durch Bomben zerstört wurde. Konstantinopel, 8.April. Official army report of the 7.April. Sinai front: Our fliers forced a hostile airplane to the landing, which was then bombed and destroyed.

On April 6th the aircraft of Lieutenant C. de C. Matulich and Observer Lukis were setting out on patrol with Captain Murray-Jones escorting them when they encountered over Weli Sheikh Nuran five German aircraft that had been flying towards Rafa. Murray-Jones fought the German aircraft until he was forced to land, the German aircraft then strafed and bombed his aircraft with Murray-Jones escaping unhurt. Matulich returned to the Australian aerodrome and warned the others of the German aircraft. Three Martinsydes took off to engage the German aircraft. There were several duels but none of them decisive.

Murray-Jones's rigger, Joe Bull wrote in his diary for the 8th of April, "I am working on Captain Jones' Martinsyde in which he was driven down by five Huns. She is very badly hit and in so many places that she will have to be practically rebuilt. The pilot never got a scratch!" Joe Bull entered in his diary for the 9th of April, "We find the Martinsyde even worse than we first thought. I have been splicing and fixing cross bracing wires today." and April 11th, "Still working on the Martinsyde."

Sonnabend, 21.April 1917. Sinaifront: Nach der für uns siegreichen Schlacht bei Gaza ist der Gegner mit schweren Verlusten in seine Ausgangsstellungen zurückgegangen. Unsere Verluste in der Schlacht waren unbedeutend. Ein feindlicher Flieger wurde durch einen unserer Flieger abgeschossen. Der feindliche Apparat stürzte zwischen den türkischen und englischen Linien nieder. Ein anderer feindlicher Flieger wurde bei Tell Scharia durch Feuer von der Erde aus zur Landung gezwungen. Der feindliche Flugzeugführer wurde gefangen. Unsere Flieger zeigten sich in den Luftkämpfen stets den feindlichen überlegen. Sie haben außerdem auf die feindlichen Lager und Reserven 300 Kilogramm Bomben abgeworfen. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die feindliche Flotte absichtlich die große Moschee in Gaza unter Feuer nahm. Die Moschee wurde zerstört. Saturday, 21.April 1917. Sinaifront: After the victorious Battle of Gaza in which we inflicted heavy losses on the opponent, the opponent retreated to his own positions. Our losses were insignificant. A hostile airplane was shot by one of our fliers. The hostile airplane fell between the Turkish and English lines. Another hostile airplane was forced to land near Tell Scharia by ground fire. The enemy pilot was captured and imprisoned. Our fliers showed superiority in every air combat against hostile fliers. Additionally our fliers attacked enemy camps and supply dumps dropping 300 kilograms of bombs. It was stated that the enemy fleet attacked and intentionally bombed the large Gaza mosque. The mosque was destroyed.

On the afternoon 19th of April a duel began with a British and a German aircraft above the lines east of Gaza. With an audience of several thousand ground troops a Martinsyde from 14 Sqn RFC swooped and zoomed with a Rumpler of FA300 flown by the crew of Kautzmann and Stigell. After a particurely sharp maneouvre the Martinsyde broke up in mid-air and plunged to the ground. The audience on the ground saw the pilot standing up and holding on to on of the Martinsyde's struts. The pilot was killed instantly by the fall.

On April 21st(20th?) of BE2's of 1 Sqn AFC escorted by two Martinsydes flew to Hareira to attack Turkish Cavalry reserves. The Martinsyde G102 of 2nd Lieutenant N.L. Steele was hit by ground fire and crashed. Steele was taken prisoner but died of wounds suffered in the crash. On the 21st of April Lieutenant A.T Cole was brought down behind Turkish in a Martinsyde after a shell exploded underneath his aircraft. Captain Williams landed beside him and Williams and Cole returned to the aerodrome together. Williams was to be awarded a D.S.O for his actions.

The bombing of culturally protected institutions such as the Mosque were used for propaganda value by the Germans and Turkish. An often used slogan after such atrocities were, "The Brits - natural enemies of the muslims!"

Konstantinopel, 24.April. An der Sinaifront herrschte außer leichtem Artilleriefeuer Ruhe. Unsere Artillerie schoß ein feindliches Flugzeug ab. Konstantinopel, 24.April. On the Sinaifront peace prevailed except for light artillery fire. Our artillery shot down an enemy airplane.

Konstantinopel, 28.Juni. Sinaifront. Am 25.6. nachmittags fanden zwei Luftkämpfe statt. Im ersten kämpften zwei unserer Flugzeuge gegen drei englische. Ein englisches Flugzeug stürzte hinter unseren Linien ab; der Pilot ist tot. Das zweite englische Flugzeug war gezwungen worden, in beschädigtem Zustande hinter den englischen Linien zu landen. Dem dritten feindlichen Flugzeug gelang es durch schleunige Flucht, sich zu retten. Bei dem zweiten Luftkampfe wurde ein feindliches Flugzeug zur Landung hinter den feindlichen Linien gezwungen. Aus allen Luftkämpfen sind unsere Flugzeuge wohlbehalten zurückgekehrt. Konstantinopel, 28.June. Sinaifront. On 25.6. two aerial engagements took place in the afternoon. In the first engagement two of our airplanes fought against three English airplanes. An English airplane fell behind our lines; with the pilot dead. The second English airplane had been forced to land damaged behind the English lines. The third English airplane succeeded in escaping by a hasty retreat. With the second aerial combat an enemy airplane was forced to land behind the hostile lines. From all the aerial engagements our airplanes returned "probably-keep".

Leutnant Schlieff and Oberleutnant Daum of FA300 brought down a Martinsyde aircraft and a BE12a. The latter was Lieutenant Brasell of 1 Sqn AFC who was brought down in the squadrons newly arrived BE12a. Brasell had a head wound from the fight and died upon landing. A German aircraft dropped a note to 1 Sqn's aerodrome the next day of Brasell's fate. The second aerial combat was Oberleutnant G. Felmy in an Albatros DIII who engaged a BE aircraft and a DH.1. The DH.1 was badly damaged in the ensuing battle and was forced to land behind entente lines with a broken propeller and lower tailboom.

Konstantinopel, 29.Juni. Heeresbericht vom 28.Juni.Sinai-Front: Um sich für unsere, im gestrigen Heeresbericht gemeldeten Erfolge im ehrlichen Luftkampfe zu rächen, bewarfen englische Flieger die den Mohammedanern und Christen heilige Stadt Jerusalem mit 50 Bomben, die erfeulicherweise keinen Schaden anrichteten. Konstantinopel, 29.June. Army report of the 28.June.Sinai Front: Due to our successes yesterday in honest aerial combat which was announced in the army report, English fliers attacked the Muslim and Christian holy city of Jerusalem with 50 bombs, which did not cause significant damage.

Eight British and Australian aircraft were sent on the 26th to bomb the Turkish Fourth Army Headquarters on the Mount of Olives, Juresalem. This may be the raid mentioned in the report.

Freitag, 29.Juni 1917. Sinaifront: Von den feindlichen Flugzeugen, die am 26. dieses Monats Jerusalem angegriffen hatten, wurden drei von der Erde aus abgeschossen. Zwei dieser Flugzeuge wurden von unseren Patrouillen in Brand gesteckt. Die Maschinengewehre der beiden Flugzeuge wurden erbeutet. Am 25. und 26. haben die Engländer somit 6 Flugzeuge, davon zwei im Luftkampf und vier durch Artilleriefeuer, verloren. Die Leistung unserer Fliegerabteilung an der Sinaifront muß anerkennend hervorgehoben werden. Besonders zeichneten sich aus Oberleutnant Felmy, der an der Sinaifront zum vierten Male, sowie Oberleutnant Daum und Leutnant Schleiff, die zum dritten Male im Luftkampf siegreich blieben. Friday, 29.Juni 1917. Sinai Front: Enemy aircraft attacked Jerusalem this month on the 26th and three were shot down. Two of these airplanes were burned on the ground by our infantry patrols. The machine guns of the two airplanes were captured. On 25. and 26. the Englishmen lost 6 airplanes, two by aerial combat and four by ground artillery fire. We have to underline recognising the performance of our aviation unit on the Sinai front. Oberleutnant Felmy, who has four victories on the Sinai front, as welll as Oberleutnant Daum and Leutnant Schleiff, who were victorious for the third time in aerial combat.

In the attack on the Turkish Fourth Army Headquarters of the eight aircraft which bombed the Headquarters, only three returned under their own power to their aerodromes. Near Beersheeba one BE, flown by Lieutenant Brown had it's engine seize and he was forced to land. Lieutenant Cole and Austin landed next to him, burnt his machine and Austin flew off with Brown in his BE. Five miles south east of Beersheeba Austin's engine siezed and the BE was forced to land. Cole tried to pick them both up in his Martinsyde, but the poor and extra eight combined with a stalled engine and the Martinsyde hit the ground hard from 10 feet and cracked it's undercarriage. The three buried their guns and camera's and walked through a dangerous section of no-mans land before being found by the Australian Lighthorse.

Butler and Potts both in BE's exhausted their fuel and oil and were forced to land near Khalasa. They left their machine unburnt in the hope of being able to rescue them but on a rescue crews return to the aircraft, they discovered the aircraft had been hacked to bits by the Turkish. Only the engines were recoverable.

Englische Flieger bombardieren den Oelberg. Nach in Berlin eingegangenen Nachrichten haben am 26.Juni acht englische Flieger etwa siebzig Bomben auf den Oelberg bei Jerusalem abgeworfen. Zum Glück wurde niemand verletzt, auch der Sachschaden ist gering. English fliers bombard the Olive Mountain. After messages entered in Berlin at the 26.Juni eight English fliers dropped about seventy bombs on the Olive Mountain at Jerusalem. Fortunately nobody hurt, also the damage to property is small.

Sonnabend, 7.Juli 1917. Sinaifront: Am Nachmittag des gleichen Tages [4.Juli - HT] wurde ein feindliches Flugzeug durch unser Artilleriefeuer zum Absturz gebracht. Saturday, 7.July 1917. Sinai Front: In the afternoon of the same day a hostile airplane was brought down by our artillery fire. The airplane crashed.

Montag, 9.Juli 1917. An der Sinaifront wurden am 8.Juli zwei feindliche Flugzeuge im Luftkampf zum Absturz gebracht. Einzelheiten fehlen noch. Monday, 9.July 1917. To the Sinai Front at the 8.July two hostile airplanes were shot down in aerial combat and both crashed. Details are missing still.

The BE of Lieutenant T. Taylor and Lieutenant F.W.F Lukis was on an operation escorted by the Martinsyde of Captain Charles A. Brookes an RFC officer attached to the AFC and a BE12a aircraft flown by Claude H.Vautin. The three aircraft were attacked by the Rumpler C.I aircraft of Offstv. Kern and Oberleutnant Kurt Jancke, and the Albatros DIII of Oberleutnant Gerhard Felmy. Kern and Jancke attacked the Martinsyde of Brookes and in the ensuing engagement Brookes was shot down out of control, his Martinsyde's wings collapsing in a spin before crashing. Vautin was chased to Beit Hanun before being forced to land. Vautin was the third confirmed victory for Felmy.

Vautin's capture was to spark off an unusual series of events. Felmy dropped a note over the aerodrome of 1 Sqn AFC three days later with the information that Brookes had been buried with full military honours and that Vautin was forced to land with his propeller and controls shot away and was safe. A note from Vautin was included in the message asking that hi kit be dropped over. Captain Murray Jones flew over the Ramleh aerodrome of FA300 at 50 feet and dropped a note to the German squadron. Felmy returned the visit on the 14th of July, dropping the following letter;

I beg, this letter not to send in a newspaper. Please send the photo X to the parents of Mr Vautin.

All dear sports,

My joy was tall, to receive your many letters. Tomorrow Vautin comes, to take all things and all the letters (with 1 photo), which were dropped. He is such well educated and genteel boy, that we make do with pleasure all, what is pleasant for him.

But when you write for us, you must write more distinctly, because our English is not so perfect, that we can read all; the most legible writing has firstly your writing=machine, and secondly xxx Murray Jones. Vautin has me talled very much of him. I hope to fight with this sport more oftener. I thank him for his kind letter. - I thank also for the decoration of the Rising Sun from Mr Lex Macnaughton, perhaps I can see the sun later in Australia.

Too my best thanks for the picture of Mr. Brown and for the kind letter and many photos of R.F. Baillieu:

In order to answer your questions: 1). 2nd Lt Steele is unfortunately dead. he expired 20.4.17 soon after his imprisonment, he was shut down by our archies. 2). Mstr Heathcote is in captivity and well, I think in the same place as mstr. Palmer and Floyer.

"Murray Jones is a very courageous man, we have feeled it in flying and when he came to dropp the things for Vautin so down (perhaps 100 feet), I would like ot have his address in Australia, to visit him. And a photo of him and the others, but I beg - a little more bigger the photos, because I could scarcely perceive your sport=eyesights! - Ramadan"is not practical for a visit at you, on must fast all the day. - For a souvineir I have exchanged my watch with Vautin, and we have d engraved our names. - Where can I deisperse more an aqueduct? Hoping , our good condition is continuing long time. With best wishes for all, who has written to me us. With sportly respects Your G. Felmy, Obltn.

The rising sun mentioned is the AIF badge. The aqueduct mentioned is because Felmy had a bulls eye hit on the aqueduct at Mustabig.

From 1916 to the middle of 1917, the German unit, FA300 had suffered no losses due to forced landing or enemy action and had brought down 16 confirmed victories.

Konstantinopel, 12.Juli. Amtlicher Heeresbericht vom 11.Juli. Über die am 9.7. gemeldeten Erfolge unserer braven Flieger an der Sinaifront sind folgende Einzelheiten zu berichten: Von uns waren zwei Beobachtungsflugzeuge und ein Kampfflugzeug aufgestiegen, die von drei englischen Kampfflugzeugen angegriffen wurden. Ein feindliches Flugzeug fiel vollständig zertrümmert hinter unsere Linien. Die beiden anderen Flugzeuge versuchten zu entfliehen. Sie wurden von einem unserer Kampfflugzeuge eingeholt, das einen englischen Zweisitzer zum Niedergehen hinter unseren Linien zwang. Der Führer ist gefangen, das Flugzeug voraussichtlich verwendungsfähig. Der Sieger in den beiden Luftkämpfen war wieder der schon mehrfach genannte Oberleutnant Felmi. Das dritte englische Flugzeug entkam. Konstantinopel, 12.July. Official army report from 11-July. On at the 9.7th the following details announced the success of our fliers on the Siani Front: Two observation airplanes and a combat aircraft had taken off, when they were attacked by three English combat aircraft. A hostile airplane fell completely destroyed behind our lines. The two other airplanes tried to escape. They were caught up by one of our combat aircraft, which forced an English two-seater to land behind our lines. The leader is imprisoned, the airplane presumably usable. The winner in the two aerial engagements was again the already mentioned several times Oberleutnant Felmi. The third English airplane escaped.

Mittwoch, 25.Juli 1917. Sinaifront. Unsere Artillerie brachte ein englisches Flugzeug zum Absturz ins Meer. Die herbeieilenden englischen Wachtschiffe wurden durch unser Feuer vertrieben. Wednesday, 25.July 1917. Sinai Front. Our artillery shot down an English airplane over the sea. The hastily approaching English guard ships were driven off by our fire.

Possibly the BE2e A1803 of Captain R.N. Thomas and 2nd Lieutenant J.W. Howells from 14 Sqn RFC who were shot down into the sea by anit-aircraft fire on the 23rd of July.

Konstantinopel, 25.Juli. Sinaifront: Der laut gestrigem Bericht vernichtete englische Doppeldecker wurde durch unsere Fliegerabwehrung Nr. 136 abgeschossen. Konstantinopel, 25.July. Sinaifront: The destroyed English biplane mentioned in the report yesterday was shot down by our Flak [Flak battery? - HT] Number 136.

Sonnabend, 18.August 1917. Sinaifront: Am 16.August wurde ein feindliches Flugzeug im Luftkampf zum Niedergehen gezwungen, die Landung konnte aber hinter den feindlichen Linien stattfinden. ... Vier französische Flieger warfen am 17.August Bomben auf den Hafen von Beirut. Ein Einwohner wurde verwundet. Saturday, 18.August 1917. Sinai Front: At the 16.August a hostile airplane was engaged in aerial combat and forced to land, however the hostile airplane was able to land behind hostile lines. On the 17th of August four French fliers dropped bombs on the Port of Beirut. An inhabitant was wounded.

On the 16th of August, Oberleutnant Gerhard Felmy left the theatre and FA300 for a lengthy home leave. Felmy had been suffering in the desert with amongst others illnesses, malaria. The environment was harsh on the pilots, observers, ground crew and aircraft for both sides. Illness was a common cause for the pilot reserve ot be exhausted. Felmy was regarded by the Australian and British pilots as their most skilled and capable opponent.

On the 1st of August, 111 Sqn RFC was formed as a scout squadron to supplement the Corps and Army Squadrons of 14 Sqn RFC and 1 Sqn AFC. The squadron was equipped with a mix of Bristol Scouts, Bristol Monoplanes, DH2's and Vickers Fb.19's.

Sonntag, 30.September 1917. Sinaifront: Beiderseitiges heftiges Artilleriefeuer und Fliegertätigkeit. Im Luftkampfe wurde ein feindliches Flugzeug zum Niedergehen hinter den feindlichen Stellungen gezwungen. Zwei andere entkamen durch Flucht. Sunday, 30.September 1917. Sinai Front: Mutual violent artillery fire and flier activity. In aerial combat a hostile airplane was forced to land behind the hostile positions. Two others escaped by fleeing.

In September another British squadron was formed, this time, 113 Sqn RFC. The squadron was to specialize as the Corps unit for trench fighting and tactical reconnaissance. 1 Sqn AFC was to become a specialized bombing squadron. The German aircraft of Rumplers, Fokker EIII's, Pfalz EII's and Alabtros Scout aircraft still out performed the obselete aircraft the entente squadrons in the Palestinian Theatre received.

On the 1st of September the Australian pilot Ross Smith in a BE2 fought a duel with the Albatros DIII of Leutnant Schmarje. In the ensuing engagement Smith was badly wounded in the head and Schmarje fell out of the fight and crashed. A wireless was intercepted stating that "Schmarje is dead". This was Smith's first victory of an eventual eleven which would make Smith the leading ace in the theatre.

Freitag, 12.Oktober 1917. Syrien: Am 9.Oktober erschienen ein feindlicher Hilfskreuzer und ein Torpedoboot vor Alexandrette. Ein von einem dieser Schiffe aufgestiegenes Flugzeug wurde durch unser Abwehrfeuer zum Niedergehen gezwungen. Führer und Beobachter stürzten ins Meer, die Trümmer des Flugzeuges wurden geborgen. Am 11.Oktober erschien auch ein anderes feindliches Flugzeug über Alexandrette, das ebenfalls durch unser Feuer von der Erde aus zum Niedergehen gezwungen wurde. Der Pilot fiel schwer, der Beobachter leicht verwundet in unsere Hand. Das Flugzeug ist in gebrauchsfähigem Zustande. Friday, 12.October 1917. Syria: On the 9th of October a hostile auxiliary cruiser and a torpedo boat appeared before Alexandrette. An airplane which was started from one of these ships was forced to land by our defensive fire. The pilot and the observer fell into the sea, the wreck of the airplane was captured. On the 11th of October another hostile airplane also appeared over Alexandrette, which was likewise forced to land by our ground fire. The pilot fell heavily wounded and the observer wounded was easily captured. The airplane is in working condition.

Sonntag, 28.Oktober 1917. Sinai-Front: Ein feindliches Flugzeug erhielt einen Treffer von unseren Abwehrgeschützen und stürzte dicht hinter den feindlichen Linien ab. Sunday, 28.Oktober 1917. Sinai front: A hostile airplane received a hit from our defense cannons and fell closely behind the hostile lines.

Sonntag, 4.November 1917. Syrien: Von fünf feindlichen Flugzeugen, welche Haiffa ergebnislos mit Bomben bewarfen, stürzten zwei infolge eines Schadens ins Meer. Die Trümmer der Flugzeuge versanken, nachdem die Besatzungen von einem feindlichen Monitor aufgenommen worden waren. Sunday, 4.November 1917. Syria: Five hostile airplanes bombed Haiffa without result, two hostile airplanes fell damaged into the sea. The wreckage of the airplanes sank after the crews were picked up by a hostile monitor.

Sonntag, 4.November 1917. Sinai-Front: Ein englischer Fesselballon, der sich losgerissen hatte, wurde über Askalon zum Absturz gebracht. Sunday, 4.November 1917.Sinai Front: An English fesselballon, which had torn away, was brought down and crashed over Askalon.

November was to mark the appearance of the Heeresgruppe Yildirim of which a part was a strengthening of the German and Ottaman air units with four Flieger-Abteilung units including the Bavarian unit, FA304b. A scout squadron was also formed, the German Jasta 55 or the Pascha Jasta "Felmy" which was also known as Jasta 1 and Jasta 1F. The new units consisted of approximately, 80 flying personnel, 40 reconnaissance aircraft and 16 Alabtros DIII Scout aircraft, 800 mechanics and other personnel.

Excerpts of reports of the Turkish Headquarters from the Source: "Kriegs-Chronik der Leipziger Neuesten Nachrichten", Band III (Januar 1918), Band IV (1918) [ " War Chronicle of the Latest News of Leipzig ", tape III (1916/1917) ] courtesy of Hannes Täger.