On 23th August 1918 in the morning two tanks were attacked and damaged (not destroyed, because it was only MG fire) by German airplanes east of Proyard. Which unit could these tanks belong to, what type they were and are their numbers and crews losses possible to identify?
On 23th August 1918 in the morning two tanks were attacked and damaged (not destroyed, because it was only MG fire) by German airplanes east of Proyard. Which unit could these tanks belong to, what type they were and are their numbers and crews losses possible to identify?
Cheers,
Albert
Hi
I presume you are referring to Obln Griem and Vfw Putz's, of JS 34, claims for 23rd August? As far as I am aware these attacks appear to have made no impact in any 'commonwealth' reports of the day, so probably no significant damage or casualties were caused. Air attack with MG fire on tanks was not considered a danger to tanks by the Tank Corps (extensive trials of air attack on tanks was carried out by the RFC and Tank Corps at the beginning of 1918 as tanks were expected to be used by the Germans in the expected attacks that year), they were worried about German artillery used in the anti-tank role (the Tank Corps wanted the RAF to deal with these which is one of the roles carried out by the tank support squadron, No. 8 with FK.8 two-seaters and No. 73 Sqn. with Sopwith Camels equipped with MG and bombs). Even SMK ammunition appears not to have had much effect when fired from aircraft, generally due to the 'angle' the ammunition hits the tank.
This subject was discussed on the 'Aerodrome Forum' quite extensively (and heatedly) during 2012 under the heading 'Osterkamp's Tank Kill - Again'. So unless someone has actual evidence of damage caused to the tanks by these attacks we can only assume they did not have much effect.
On 23th August 1918 in the morning two tanks were attacked and damaged (not destroyed, because it was only MG fire) by German airplanes east of Proyard. Which unit could these tanks belong to, what type they were and are their numbers and crews losses possible to identify?
Cheers,
Albert
Hi
I presume you are referring to Obln Griem and Vfw Putz's, of JS 34, claims for 23rd August? As far as I am aware these attacks appear to have made no impact in any 'commonwealth' reports of the day, so probably no significant damage or casualties were caused. Air attack with MG fire on tanks was not considered a danger to tanks by the Tank Corps (extensive trials of air attack on tanks was carried out by the RFC and Tank Corps at the beginning of 1918 as tanks were expected to be used by the Germans in the expected attacks that year), they were worried about German artillery used in the anti-tank role (the Tank Corps wanted the RAF to deal with these which is one of the roles carried out by the tank support squadron, No. 8 with FK.8 two-seaters and No. 73 Sqn. with Sopwith Camels equipped with MG and bombs). Even SMK ammunition appears not to have had much effect when fired from aircraft, generally due to the 'angle' the ammunition hits the tank.
This subject was discussed on the 'Aerodrome Forum' quite extensively (and heatedly) during 2012 under the heading 'Osterkamp's Tank Kill - Again'. So unless someone has actual evidence of damage caused to the tanks by these attacks we can only assume they did not have much effect.
Mike
Yes Mike, it was me who started that topic on the Aerodrome forum and thank you once again for all very informative posts you wrote there :) Aircraft vs tanks during WW1 is a fascinating subject for me and I know stories about British tanks attacked by Greim, Osterkamp, Udet and a few more German flyers, but it's hard to find any confirmation from British point of view, even which types of tanks were attacked (Mark IV, Mark V or Whippet) and from which units.
I checked in Fuller's "Tanks in the Great War 1914-1918" - all these battalions used Mark V tanks, so at least we know which tanks were attacked by Greim and Putz :) It would be great to know what were their names and numbers.
