Ace Fighters and Dogfights

Ace Fighters and Dogfights

By Thomas Hodgson

World War One saw the introduction of aircraft into warfare on a large scale. Fights and skirmishes in the air came to be known as Dogfights. The best pilots were honoured by being called aces.

One of the most famous dog fights of World War One started on September 23rd, 1917. The battle took place north of Frenzberg West Flanders. The British ace pilots that were involved in the battle were: Keith K. Muspratt, Arthur Rhys-Davids, and Reginald T.C. Hoidge. The other British pilots that were also involved in the battle were: Harold Hamersley, Robert Childlaw - Roberts, and Verschoyle P. Cronyn. 

The German pilots that took part in the battle were: Werner Voss and Karl Menckhoff.

The battle was fought to save two SE.5s from Werner Voss, Werner Voss engaged two SE.5s to protect a German recon plane. He badly damaged SE.5s and their pilots had to land on the ground below. Then six British aces engaged Voss causing the battle to begin.

The battle took about 10 minutes long. Werner Voss was able to stay in the middle of the British, dodging their attacks and returning fire. About halfway through the battle Karl Menckhoff arrived to help Voss but was quickly shot down by Arthur Rhys-Davids, although Karl Menckhoff survived. The battle ended when Arthur Rhys-Davids shot and mortally wounded Voss who then crash landed. Werner Voss shot holes through all of the SE.5s in his battle against the British. 

Verschoyle P. Cronyn wrote a letter to his father telling him that his plane was totalled and that he was lucky to be alive. He also wrote that he couldn't sleep that night because of his ordeal. 

The British pilots regretted Werner  Voss's death. Captain  James McCudden said: "His flying was wonderful, his courage magnificent and in my opinion he was the bravest German airmen whom it has been my priviledge to see fight."

The recognition awards Werner Voss received were: The Blue Max,(the highest German honour), The  Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, and The House Order Of Hohen Zellern.

He had 48 confirmed and 4 unconfirmed kills. Werner Voss was considered by some to be the one pilot who could match Baron Von Richthofen, The Red Baron. Werner Voss was also a member a member of the Red Baron's famous flying circus and a close friend of the red Baron.