On this day in history

[Gilly]

I thought I would post what I hope people here find interesting a little fact about July 1st.
Today is anniversary of what all of us who frequent here, albeit virtually, essentially enjoy.
In 1915 Leutnant Kurt Wintgens scored the first ariel kill using a synchronised gun equiped aircraft- the Fokker Eindecker. This is therefore essentially the 'genesis' moment for what has since followed in the skies of our many nations.

I thought this could become a thread for people to post interesting historical info relating to specific moments in ariel combat since this day in 1915

[Davedog74]

yes,before that,it was pistols and harsh language

[flynlion]

Who was the pilot who died in the other aircraft?

[Mage_016]

Actually "On April 1, 1915, French pilot Roland
Garros shot down a German Albatros
airplane. Although this was not the first air-
to-air kill, Garros’ airplane, a Morane
Parasol, was the first airplane that was
modified specifically for the purpose of
aerial combat. Working with designer
Raymond Saulnier, Garros had developed
reinforced propeller blades that deflected
bullets from a forward-firing machine gun
(which made hitting the target easier). Over
the next several weeks, Garros and his
airplane scored three more victories until he
was forced to land the plane in Germany
territory. He was taken prisoner before he
could burn the airplane, which fell into the
hands of the Germans."

Rest of the story you'll find from here.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/es...Combat/AP4.htm

[olife]

Originally Posted by Mage_016

Actually "On April 1, 1915, French pilot Roland
Garros shot down a German Albatros
airplane. Although this was not the first air-
to-air kill, Garros’ airplane, a Morane
Parasol, was the first airplane that was
modified specifically for the purpose of
aerial combat. Working with designer
Raymond Saulnier, Garros had developed
reinforced propeller blades that deflected
bullets from a forward-firing machine gun
(which made hitting the target easier). Over
the next several weeks, Garros and his
airplane scored three more victories until he
was forced to land the plane in Germany
territory. He was taken prisoner before he
could burn the airplane, which fell into the
hands of the Germans."

Rest of the story you'll find from here.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/es...Combat/AP4.htm

hello bud ace

exactly!!it is the real story of ROLAND GARROS but actually in FRANCE not a lot of people know it about the name of ROLAND GARROS ,...but everybody know the internationnal tennis tournament of ROLAND GARROS!!LOL...i prefer the " FLYING ROLAND GARROS"!!!

[Balderz002]

Originally Posted by olife

hello bud ace

exactly!!it is the real story of ROLAND GARROS but actually in FRANCE not a lot of people know it about the name of ROLAND GARROS ,...but everybody know the internationnal tennis tournament of ROLAND GARROS!!LOL...i prefer the " FLYING ROLAND GARROS"!!!

My first car was a Peugeot 205 1.4 Roland Garros!

[Gilly]

Originally Posted by flynlion

Who was the pilot who died in the other aircraft?

The aircraft shot down was a Morane-Saulnier flown by Capitaine Paul de Peuty who also had with him an observer a Lieutenant de Boutiny.
It is though classed as 'unrecognised' with Wintgens having to wait until July 15th to manage his first 'recognised' kill, again against a Morane-Saulnier.

[Davedog74]

wasnt the night of the long knives june 30th to 2nd july 1934?

[winny]

Ok..

1st July 1940 saw the first daylight raids by the luftwaffe on Hull and Wick as they probed and tested Britains defences in preperation for the 'biggest air battle in history'

[flynlion]

Originally Posted by Gilly

The aircraft shot down was a Morane-Saulnier flown by Capitaine Paul de Peuty who also had with him an observer a Lieutenant de Boutiny.
It is though classed as 'unrecognised' with Wintgens having to wait until July 15th to manage his first 'recognised' kill, again against a Morane-Saulnier.

Thanks Gilly. I thinks it's important to honor the fallen as well as the victorious when we remember dates like this.

2 events that stick in my mind are the bombing of Dresden on Feb 14, and the burning of Tokyo on Mar 10, 1945. Dates when countless thousands of civillians paid the ultimate price for blindly following their so-called "leadership".