Bristol F.2B Fighter C4698 at Atwick.
Bristol F.2B Fighter C4698 at Atwick (photograph via Eric Barton).
On the night of 5th / 6th August 1918 what became the final German Zeppelin raid on Britain took place, it saw five Zeppelins detailed to attack targets in the Midlands and North of England. The airships reached the English coast before it was dark and initially former RNAS aerodromes only sent up aeroplanes. Eventually the RAF sent up aeroplanes based at former RFC aerodromes. All were despatched in very poor weather to intercept the airships. The L.70 was shot down in The Wash with the loss of all on board including the German commander of the Naval Airship Division. The other four Zeppelins evaded the RAF, eventually dropped their bombs into the sea and returned to Germany. Word must have got through to No.33 (Home Defence) Squadron who were based at Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire and Bristol Fighter C4698 was one of the aeroplanes despatched to attempt to intercept the Zeppelins, it initially took off from Scampton at 22.37hrs but a problem with the fuel system saw it return and land at 22.50hrs. The problem was corrected and it took off from Scampton at 23.10hrs. The crew of this aeroplane made no contact and must have flown some distance north, possibly to cover Hull and The Humber area. In poor weather the pilot attempted to make a forced landing near the coast at Atwick but misjudged his height and overturned on landing. The time quoted is either 00.55hrs or 02.45hrs. Unfortunately the pilot broke his neck and died as a result of the injuries sustained in the landing while his observer sustained injuries. The pilot's death was registered in the Skirlaugh district, in which Atwick lies. This would be the final air raid of the First World War and these would be the last Home Defence Flight casualties. Whether the crash was at or close to what was the former RNAS aerodrome site at Atwick is unknown.
Pilot - Lt Frank Allyn Benitz RAF, aged 25. Buried Gainsborough General Cemetery, Lincolnshire.
Observer - 2Lt Henry Lloyd Williams RAF. Injured.
Frank Benitz was born on 25th May 1893 in Argentina to American parents who owned a ranch and held a joint Argentine / American passport. He was sent to Malvern College, Worcestershire, England in 1907. In 1911 he went to the USA and attended the University of Illinois. He undertook pilot training in Argentina before sailing back to the UK to join the Royal Flying Corps. He was posted to No.33 Squadron in December 1917. I credit "https://benitz.com" with the photograph shown of Frank Benitz shown above which contains far more information about his short life.
Henry Williams was born on 25th December 1892 and was an insurance clerk prior to enlisting for military service. He initially served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, enlisting in February 1916 and entering France in June 1916. He was recommended for a commission on account of distinguished bravery on the field in November 1916. This saw him posted back to the UK to undertake training and he then received a commission on 27th March 1917. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and trained as an observer. He served with No.39 Squadron then later was posted to 33 Squadron. He was granted the rank of Temporary Second Lieut in the RAF on 6th July 1918 and was promoted to Lieut on 28th September 1918. He broke an arm and thigh in the crash at Atwick on 6th August 1918 though appears to have recovered. He was transferred to the Unemployed List on 29th May 1919 and died in on 6th April 1972 at Llanddeusant, Wales.