http://www.1914-1918.net/BATTLES/hush/strandfest.htm
Said also to be one of the "first examples of air-ground support in history."
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/archi ... -3159.html
During Operation Strandfest (10 july 1917) the German Marinekorps took the British stronghold and bridge-head at the eastern side of the Yser estuary at Nieuwpoort.
At 10 AM FA 321, I and II MFFA attacked British lines and destroyed the bridges over the Yser river.
At 19.51 hrs the attack follows. III Marine Infanterie Division attacks, supported by planes. The western bank of the Yser is bombarded by 24 C type planes, and a plane from II MFFA co-ordinates the battle from the sky with it's wireless. Two Schusta 29 planes protect the plane.
KG I planes bombarded coastal line between Nieuwpoort and Oostduinkerke. Jasta 17 planes do air cover for the whole operation. A Sopwith is shot down.In half an hour max the operation was over.
This is most certainly one of the very first examples of air-ground support in history...
Did Richthofen's unit participate?It took the first German wave only two minutes to take the first British line ! They stormed directly the second, took it and the third was taken in handgrenadebattle. It seems the German artillery had a hard time following the fast attack (in other words, probably some marine personnel died by friendly fire). 1300 POW's were taken, of which 17 officers including the Regimental CO.
A report said that the observerplanes and also the Kampfgeschwader with Rittmeister von Richthofen, had played an important role in the action.
The POW 's were taken to Oostende and Brugge, where there was a parade for Admiral von Schröder.
