Alfred Michael Koch

Alfred Michael Koch
Born 25 January 1894
Arosa, Graubünden, Switzerland
Died Post 1984
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Air Force
Rank Lieutenant
Unit No. 1 Squadron RFC, No. 6 Squadron RFC, No. 70 Squadron RAF
Awards Military Cross

Lieutenant Alfred Michael Koch MC was a Swiss-born Canadian flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.

Early life

Alfred Michael Koch was born on 25 February 1894 in Arosa, Graubünden, Switzerland.[1] He moved to Canada at the age of four years.[2] His father was John Koch. The younger Koch enlisted in the 19th Alberta Dragoons on 23 September 1914 at Valcartier, Canada, and was assigned regimental number 2077. He listed a home address in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, his profession as law student, and claimed prior military experience. His physical examination reported him as 5 feet 3 1/2 inches tall. He reportedly was dark-complected, with dark brown hair, grey eyes, and moles on his right arm.[1][2]

World War I

Koch was originally a trumpeter for the Alberta Dragoons. He transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division CEF and shipped out for the war zone.[3]

He flew as an aerial observer in 6 Squadron, and was wounded in action on 22 October 1916. He made the transition to fighter pilot and was posted to fly 70 Squadron's Sopwith Camels. On 18 October 1917, he began a decade of successes that carried him through to 23 March 1918; he succeeded against nine German fighter planes as well as destroying one of their observation balloons.[3] However, he was not awarded the Military Cross for these victories. When his Military Cross citation was gazetted on 22 June 1918, it read:

"...During ten days' operations he carried out eleven reconnaissances at low altitudes. He continually attacked and disorganised enemy troops and transport, and on one occasion he dispersed a battalion of enemy infantry which was marching along a road. On a later occasion, after he had completed a reconnaissance and bombed an enemy position, he was attacked by an enemy patrol. Though his tanks were pierced, and he was wounded, he succeeded in flying his machine back to the aerodrome. He showed splendid courage and initiative."[4]

The last known information about Koch is that he was wounded once again in 1918.[3]

List of aerial victories

All victories scored while flying a Sopwith Camel fighter plane for No. 70 Squadron RAF.

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 18 October 1917 @ 0900 hours Sopwith Camel serial number B2399 Albatros D.V fighter plane Destroyed Westrozebeke, Belgium
2 20 October 1917 @ 1130 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B2399 Albatros D.V fighter Driven down out of control Abeele
3 8 November 1917 @ 1145 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B2444 Albatros D.V fighter Driven down out of control Westrozebeke, Belgium
4 24 January 1918 @ 1130 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B9138 Albatros reconnaissance plane Driven down out of control Westrozebeke, Belgium
5 Sopwith Camel s/n/B1938 Two-seater reconnaissance plane Driven down out of control Dadizeele
6 11 March 1918 @ 1230 hours Sopwith Camel Observation balloon Destroyed by fire Menen, Belgium Victory shared with aces Frank Granger Quigley, Kenneth Seth-Smith, Walter M. Carlaw
7 11 March 1918 @ 1700 hours Sopwith Camel Pfalz D.III fighter Destroyed Passendale, Belgium Victory shared with Frank Quigley
8 22 March 1918 @ 1525 hours Sopwith Camel s/n C1672 Albatros reconnaissance plane Driven down out of control Vicinity of Cagnicourt, France
9 22 March 1918 @ 1535 hours Sopwith Camel s/n C1672 Albatros D.V fighter Destroyed Southeast of Lagnicourt, France
10 23 March 1918 @ 0835 hours Sopwith Camel s/n C1672 Albatros D.V fighter Driven down out of control Northwest of Cambrai, France[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Marc Leroux. "Lieutenant Alfred Michael Koch". Canadiangreatwarproject.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Alfred M. Koch's Attestation Paper". Theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Alfred M. Koch". Theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 22 JUNE, 1918". London-gazette.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
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