Ernst Shotz, Jasta 12, Epinoy

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• published: 10 Sep 2015
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13 May 1917 @ 06h01 intercept of incoming at Awoingt aerodrome We had 6 kn winds from the NW with medium cumulus cloud cover from 609 to 3000m. Rosenfeld lead the flight with Tutschek, Hochstetter, Billik and myself accompanying. Eins flight was sent to assist composed of Schock, Jorke and Carstens. We formed up east of the field at 2800m and during that course, we were passed over by 4 RFC BE2c’s, and 4 Esc 66 sopwith strutter 1B1’s. Rosenfeld ignored them during our form up and they ignored us and flew on. As we approached Ewars aerodrome Rosenfeld dropped out with engine trouble. Tutschek took over the lead. As we approached Awoingt, I spotted 5 N23’s of Esc Laf on our port side slightly below us at about the same time as Tutscheck did and we went in on the attack. I singled out one N23 well away from his squad and made a pass on him but in the process gave up altitude advantage and almost paid for it. I was quickly triple teamed and too 11 hits to my left lower plane before I was able to extricate myself. I found one stray making a run for it and ran him down. I sent him down in smoke between Awoingt and Boistrancourt. I turned towards Boistrancourt and landed there safely as Tutschek, Hochstetter and Billik came in to land. Being here was a perfect opportunity to look up a close family acquaintance, Gontermann. His father and mine were in the same cavalry unit. I reported in, put in a claim for one N23, asked to have the fitters look after my DIII and then went off to the mess to see if I could find Gontermann.