Observations

Hello to all…. one thing poignantly clear is that all who took part in the Amiens Raid were indeed heroes..that is beyond dispute. However having been an aviation researcher for over three decades winkling out fact from fiction can be a problem. However this must not however lead us into a sense of simply accepting either “official histories / accounts” as fact. With the Amiens Raid there has always been controversy. however I did some small amount of research work in France for the future work to be published by Redkite, attending the crash site as well as talking to the last living eye-witness (as far as I could find) who actually witnessed the combat. Now sometimes something so fresh and new is uncovered that I believe it has to be revealed. Combined with what is accurately known this is vitally important. Indeed one may even upset the “Apple Cart” so to speak, in doing so…but just what if many of those apples were indeed quite rotten anyway. I translated the entire Ducellier text and some quite astounding factual discoveries are claimed….but these are small beer when other newly discovered factors come into play. These are documentary, eye-witness and metal detecting sourced and combined illustrate some fascinating new angles. Simon Parry`s new book is not an in your face ridicule of accepted history but more so a dedicated uncovering of previously unknown factors that will indeed change history…combined with those that are known…it offers fresh factual evidence, suggests the reader considers, but does not bludgeon. From days afterwards to present the entire raid has been almost shrouded in a sterotyped film hero action, this new book will help substantiate certain facts, but above all allows the reader to draw their own conclusions from a selection of new evidence that has for the main not been approached from this angle before. I obviously cannot say what revelations are made, but promise one thing future readers of this work will be quite astounded….With myth it matters little what happened in reality…with fact it does… but whatever you prefer these aircrew were true heroes and this book will not detract from that…..Julian

Hi Jimbo thanks for the info. I need to ask you a couple of questions:-
(1) The gentleman that drew a map I will try and trace. Can you remember approx where the site was? as I think it may have been nearer to Downham than Wickford. At Downham there was a Frierns Farm, and Frunds may have been a typo error.

(2) Can you remember why the site was considered to be not very promising:- was it due to having been built on? Because I think if it hasnt the site could be very good. Please feel free to Email me on [email]j.evenhart@ntlworld.com[/email].
Cheers Julian

Hi Andy this sounds interesting do you have any precise details as to where the impact point is? I feel this could be worth a look at, bet some other interested parties have had these away but you never know…..Jules

Neil many thanks, however some references need double checking as two other Gothas were shot down on 06/12/17 on land and I think one or two before that. Probably this one may have been the first Sopwith Kills or summit like that, after 90 years and some of the most appalling “restricted” and vague records Ive seen its amazing we can pin point who did what and where. Ill definitely try the RFC crew as lead potentials…….Cheers Julian

not much to add but it sounds like the one mentionned in the book ‘The Baby Killers’ by Thomas Fegan… it was attacked by Camels flown by 2nd lt Charles Banks and Cpt George Hackwell who were both awarded the Military Cross for bringing down the first Gotha on British soil.. location only given as Wickford.. maybe the RFC crew may be a lead ??
Neil

Gotha quests

Continuing from Zeppelins, I am now researching a Gotha that crashed near Wickford on the night 28-29 Jan 1918. Records show it crashed at Frunds Farm nr Wickford in Essex, I have tried all resources and conclude this is a spelling error, or the farm is lost under development, as I cannot locate this name or property. Does anyone know any other details relating to this incident if so I would be very pleased to hear from you. Also if anyone has a copy of H.G.Castles “Fire over England” this may have details in a list at the back.
Cheers all Julian