Daniel J Sheehan 2nd Lieut RFC in a Sopwith Pup 1917
Daniel J Sheehan, Lieut RFC, after acting for a time as a flying instructor at Oxford, England, went on active service again in 1917 with the British No. 66 Squadron based near Arras, France. The photo shows him in a Sopwith Pup fighter biplane which his squadron was equipped with. It was a stable, easy to fly aircraft, but an underpowered battle-plane. The aircraft type, though an excellent trainer, was by spring 1917 already outclassed and being decimated by the mainstream German opponents (see Wikipedia Bloody April and Sopwith Pup) of the Jagdstaffel 11 with their excellent Albatros D.III fighter biplane. Although nimble and manoeuvrable, the Pup was nowhere near as fast or powerful as its German opponents, and could not hope to outpace or out climb them. As well, the Pup was equipped with one synchronized Vickers machine gun, while the German planes featured two or more synchronized Spandau machine guns. The 66 Squadron had to make do with its Pups until later in the year when they would be outfitted with the much more effective Sopwith Camels. Sheehan was killed on 10 May 1917, when on an early morning patrolling expedition, a superior body of the German Jagdstaffel 11 aircraft engaged the Sopwith Pups, and Sheehan and another officer were killed. His superior officer wrote: he was loved by all and was by nature absolutely devoid of fear. His biography as first printed and published by His Majesty's Stationary Office London, 1921 publication: Officers Died in the Great War 1914-19. He was reportedly shot down by the German ace Lothar von Richthofen (brother of the Red Baron) over Vitry-en-Artois east of Arras, his 22nd victory. (see Franks, Norman and Giblin, Hal: ''Under the Guns of the German Aces; Immelmann, Voss, Goring, Lothar Von Richthofen'', The Complete Record of their Victories and Victims p. 165, Grub Street, London (1997) ISBN 1-898697-72-8), also http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/richthofen1.php Victory no. 22 details of Lothar von Richthofen. According to his family he managed to land the damaged plane in an open field, near Noyelles-lès-Vermelles, before he died in the cockpit. Lieut Sheehan was buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cabaret Rouge Cemetery (grave plot N16) at Souchez (14km north of Arras, sw of Lille, France (see http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=583970 Casualty details—Sheehan D J.
CONTRIBUTOR
Niall O'Siochain
DATE
1917-04
LANGUAGE
eng
ITEMS
1
INSTITUTION
Europeana 1914-1918
PROGRESS
METADATA
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Headstone | Lieut Daniel J Sheehan RFC | Souchez | France
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Headstone of Daniel J Sheehan 2nd Lieut RFC, in the Cabaret Rouge British War Cemetery, Souchez, France. The cemetery lies 14km north of Arras on the D937 national route in the direction of Béthune. His grave is in plot 16, row N16 an d is maintained and serviced by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Daniel J Sheehan RFC 'missing' | Cork press notice May 1917
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Cork press notice that Lieutenant Daniel J Sheehan of the RFC had been reported missing by the War Office. The text reads: Capt. D. D. Sheehan M.P. has received information from the War Office, that his son, Lieut D. J. Sheehan has been reported missing. Lieut Sheehan was a general favourite with the youth of Cork, having been a pupil for several years of the Christian College, and a star player on the College football team. We trust reassuring news of Lieut. Sheehan will be received by his relatives.
Martin J Sheehan 2nd Lieut in an RAF R.E.8 biplane 1918
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Martin Joseph Sheehan (r), Second Lieutenant with the Royal Air Force (RAF), was the second of three sons of Captain DD Sheehan MP (RMF), who served with him on the Western Front. When on an observation mission over Cambrai, France, in an R.E.8 D4898 reconnaissance biplane of the RAF No.13 Squadron, he was killed 1 October 1918, together with his pilot William George McCaig (left), Second Lieutenant RAF, born 1896 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. They are buried nearby in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Anneux British War Cemetery, on the N30 route to Bepaume. Their graves: Plot 1, Row H nos. 21 and 19. His biography as first printed and published by His Majesty's Stationary Office London, 1921 publication: Officers Died in the Great War 1914-19 See also http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/516019-post2.html Link to recorded details. It is most probable that the aircraft was brought down by ground fire. Three family members recalled, how one morning their mother came down crying out loud I saw him coming down in flames -- I saw him coming down in flames. Several days later the official telegram arrived, confirming that he had been killed.