Feld-Flieger-Abteilung 23, 24 and 29

[rammjaeger]

The following German units were mobilized in Grossenhain/Saxony in August 1914:
Feld-Flieger-Abteilung 23, 24 and 29.
FFA 24 became later FA(A) 264 and FFA became FA(A) 278.
Every contribution to the history of these units, pilots/observer and commanding officers serving in these units and articles or other sources are greatly appreciated.

VBR

Hannes

[Soderbaum]

Feld-Fliegerabteilung 23 is indeed one of the more famous and wellknown German units during the War.
According to a German book concerning the last year of this unit by the author Robert Kröger(If I remember correct).. 9(Nine) Pour le Merite holders had served in this unit...!
Their first commander was Oblt Otto Vogel von Falckenstein(O), promoted Hptm but he was shot down over french lines on 10 Januar 1915 by Sgt Eugene Gilbert - Lt de Puechaedon of Esc. MS 23.
The German pilot Lt Keller was taken POW.
VBR
Gunnar

[Reinout]

Dear Hannes,

FA 23 is indeed a most distinguished unit, certainly by the count of the PlM airmen serving in that unit. It must be said of course that not all of these men won their PlM's while serving in FA 23.
The lucky ones are:
Rudolf Berthold
Kurt Wintgens
Hans-Joachim Buddecke
Wilhelm Frankl
Josef Veltjens
Ernst Freiherr von Althaus

These are among the fighter pilots that I know of. Interestingly, this re-opens the debate on whether some of the KEK's were granted independent status as some of these folks have KEK Vaux written on their files, but not FA 23 (also known as FFA 23 of course) which would indicate that they never served in the 2-seater capacity but only in the single-seater scout detachments. At least, according to the "Aces" section of this site. I don't have my copy of The Jasta Pilots with me, so I cannot be 100% sure whether FA 23 is missing on some of those service records. What is apparent is that the non-fighter PlM bearers are quite rare in this group. For the unit with the most PlM observers, check out FA(A) 224, I think they had 3 as well as 3 GMMC winners - another distinction which was matched only by J5 with the Golden Triumvirate.

Medals are such nice and comprehensive ways of understanding a unit's or a man's prowess.

Kind regards,

Reinout

[rammjaeger]

Thanks. I have seen an order (21.April 1918) saying that FFA 23 should become a "Lichtbild"-unit (23 Lb). Did that really happen?

[Soderbaum]

Hannes
I also had a note that FA 23 become a LB unit, but not the date. I think the book about the last Year of this unit can give more informations about this change.
The book also said the the crew Lt Robert Kröger - Lt Herbert Fhr v Seydlitz the last Sunday in Februar 1918 made the first German flight over Paris during Day time since 1914. I am not quite sure if its true..!
VBR
Gunnar

[Soderbaum]

Hi Hannes
The first commander of FFA 24 was Hptm v Minckwitz.
I have som fragmentary informations of this unit as follows.
13 Sept 1915 Flg Josef Suwelack(P) and Lt Oskar Teichmann(O) were KI at Armentieres.
Uffz Richard Dietrich was a Fokkerpilot in Aug 1915.
8 Dec 1915 vfw Martin Philipp(P) and Oblt Hans Hinzelmann(O) were KI at Lille.
24 Apr 1916 Lt dR Olaf Bergengruen and Ritmm Benno Fhr v Maydell(O) were KI at Nieppe.
21 Sep 1916 Uffz Godt went to Jasta 10 ref TJP
Lt Douglas Schnorr went later to Jasta 30 "
11 May 1917 Gefr Richard Petsch and Lt dR Hans Bollmann(o) were KI at Etain.
On 11 Dec 1917 it formally become a Saxon unit.
21 Mar 1918 vfw Max Schwark and Oblt Wolfgang Mackeldey(O) were KI at St. Quentin.
13 Jan 1918 Flg Nolte(P)OK but Lt dR Max Pappenheimer(O) was KI at Lehaucourt.
Lt dR Friedrich Friedrichs 21 vict. served in this unit from 9 June 1917 until 4 Jan 1918. Later in Jasta 10 via Jastaschule.
30 July 1918 Lt dR Wilhelm Schipporeit(O) KI at Glennes.
I have no record that FFA 24 later FAA 264 scored any victories during the War, but is was not their job to do, but their losses in personal(killed) also seems rather low.
VBR
Gunnar

[rammjaeger]

Gunnar,
do you have the complete title and author of the FFA 23-book?

And which sources is saying that FFA 23 became officaly a Saxon unit on 11.December 1917?
O'Connor wrote that FFA23 was maybe never really transferred in a Saxon unit if I remember right. I was woundering about this claim because even Idflieg letters to the Saxons call the unit a Saxon unit together with FFA 24 and 29. I am also missing the offical change (date) of the last two into Royal Saxon units.

I think Hauptmann Minckwitz was only a short period commander of FFA 24 because he was leading FEA 6 Grossenhain when this unit was founded in December 1914. I have a note that Hauptmann Barth was leading the unit on 1.June 1915 but no info about later leaders.

I have also notes saying that Hauptmann von Jena (who was also sending Baldamus back to give him a change to complete his pilot examinations) was later followed by a Hptm. Nuber.

[Soderbaum]

Hannes
I lent for over 10 Years ago about 10 German Flabt books from public German libraries and made copies of those five (FAA211,FAA221,FAA224,FFA235 and FAA263) which were very good.
The others were short periods of Flabt experience was related like FA 8, FFA 17, FA 23,FFA 25 ,FA 30 etc I made only short notes like names of personal in the units. These not so good books were often under Nazi influence and difficult to read.
I think the author of the FA 23 related book was one of their pilots Robert Kröger...I forget the title but perhaps something like "Bremzklötze Weg" or similary. You must find it if You search under WW1 related literature..
Regarding officialy become a Saxon unit thats belonged to my notes of FFA 24. I dont have any date for FA 23. I presumly got this info from someone of my over 150 Cross & Cockade, Cross & Cockade International or Over The Front. But sometimes I miss to note my reference.
I dont have this date for FAA 278(FFA 29).
VBR
Gunnar

[Soderbaum]

Hannes
very intersting info given by you about Baldamus, all sources I have seen until now states he started the War as a pilot in FFA 20...
How long was his first period with FFA 29 under the command of Hptm v Jena ? a few Days?
Gunnar

[Soderbaum]

Hannes
Here are some fragmentary informations about FFA 29 from various sources.
Lt Walter v Teubern was one of the original pilots.
27 Jun 1915 Lt Kurt Völkers(O) KI at Berru au Bac
March 1916 they were within 7 German Army aerodrome Marchais.
Lt Eitel-F... Ruediger v Manteuffel(P) served in this unit between 29/6 1916 and 14/7 1916. He come from FFA 26 and went to FFA 27. He had at least one victory but not with FFA 29.
On 15 Jan 1917 they were renamed FAA 278.
In March 1917 the served within 7 German Army but they also served a while in Roumania during 1916 -1917(?).
Vfw Alfred Wunsch(P) served in this unit from 14 Jan 1917 until 22 Febr 1917(9 Febr?).He come from FAA 220 and went to Jasta 22.
Vfw Walter Schaefer(P) and Lt Muhs scored one victory in Febr 1917. Schaefer later served in Jasta 50 and scored one more victory.
Offst Fleischmann(P) and Lt Kurt v Steiglitz(O) scored two victories during Febr-March 1917. But v Steiglitz died as POW on 28 March 1917.
16 Apr 1917 Uffz Hans Precht(P) and Lt Karl Hellbig(O) were KI at Aisne.
Lt dR Erwin Heberle served in this FFA 29 at least in Apr 1917.
6 June(or July?)1917 Lt dR Martin Hieber(O) KI at Brimont.
4 Sep 1917 Uffz Otto Meyer(P) and Lt dR Otto Stumpp(O) were KI at Avocourt.
22 Sep 1917 vfw Paul Ernst(P) Lt dR Johannes Blazezewicz(O) were KI at Grange Ferme.
Lt dR Deines(P) who later become Adjutant of FAA 235 was wia within this unit, date ?.
Hptm Scueller was commander in December 1917.
12 Dec 1917 Offst Friedrich Berwald(P) and Oblt Helmuth Hofmann(O) were KI at Montfaucon. Berwald had served in this unit since autumm 1916.
Rudolf Sattler who was awarded the Saxon St Heinrich Orden in Gold served in this unit.
19 May 1918 vfw Karl Roller(P) and Lt dR Josef Juckheim(O) were KI at Essarts.
VBR
Gunnar