Sopwith Pup & Gotha G.IV 1917

[Chuck]

Sopwith Pup on Fire at Manston 1917, Gotha G.IV crash at Hartsdown then brought back to Westgate 22nd Dec 1917.

[Old Hobden]

Photos 2-3.
22 Dec 1917.
"At 17.45 hrs an aircraft approaching at very low level near Westgate was reported as a British flying-boat, so no alert was given-but as it passed over the Hengrove AA site the keen-eyed gun commander immediately recognized it as a Gotha. Unfortunately he was beyond shouting distance of his four-machine-gun battery, which blissfully ignored an easy target.
In the event this bomber, crewed by Unteraffizier G. Hoffman (pilot), Leut W. Dobrick (navigator) and Vizefeldwebel H. Klaus (gunner)-offered no threat. After a stormy passage over the sea its starboard engine stopped and severe vibration set in. On breaking cloud the coast was visible ahead, so the crew jettisoned bombs and decided to land, putting down successfully at 18.00 hr in a field at Hartsdown Farm south of Margate. Dobrick set fire to the aircraft with a signal cartridge."
From 'The Air Defence of Britain 1914-1918.' Cole and Cheesman.

[Monkton Malc]

Re photo 2.. I think I can locate where this is.

If you look to the right of the picture there is a tower. I think it is the one belonging to the house next door to Hartsdown Technology College. See http://g.co/maps/dydrq

That would be where the school playing fields are

[pomme homme]

I hope that the pilot of the Sopwith Pup (illustrated) was not following the example of Leut. Dobrick!

[Old Hobden]

Chuck, how sure are you on the date of 22nd Dec 1917 for the third photo?
In 'Flying. The First World War in Kent' D Collyer, it is captioned as 'Remains of Gotha recovered from sea off Margate after being shot down during raid of 22/8/17.'

[Icare9]

There does seem to be confusion but I think there were TWO incidents, both on 22nd, one in August and the other December..../
see http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36061
There is reference in the thread, not only to useful books on the subject of the first heavier than air bombing campaign but

I've got two crewmen killed at Margate on 22 August 1917, there is also :

22 December 1917
On 22 December 1917, when a Gotha from Bogohl 3 crewed by Uffz G Hoffman, Ltn W Döbrick and Vzfw H Klaus approached Westgate a low level.  The Gotha had suffered severe engine problems over the English Channel, so the crew jettisoned their bombs and decided to land, which they did at 1800 at Hartsdown Farm near Margate.  Ltn Döbrick set fire to the aircraft with a signal cartridge.

The event is mentioned in Volume 5 of The War in the Air and The Air Defence of Great Britain 1914-1918.
At a quarter to six a Gotha attacking England dropped it’s bombs at sea and made a forced landing near the Water Tower, probably south east of Westgate, as its engines seem to have failed. Pilot fired a red light before landing. Pilot set fire to machine after landing and surrendered to the Margate police with two other crew members.

Trust this helps to establish that there were TWO aircraft incidents!