Werner Voss

In a used book I am reading, there is a penciled in note that Voss received wounds and was injured on June 6 1917. DOes anyone know if this is true or the circumstances surrounding this date ?

Jeremy,

According to Under the Guns of the German Aces, Voss, leading elements of Jasta 5, was involved in a fight with Nieuports of 6 (Naval) Squadron on 6 June 1917. He claimed a Nieuport spinning down into the British lines. Franks & co. say it may have either been Flight Lt. F.P. Reeves, whose wings peeled off (either from damage or his own violent maneuvering) or Flight Cdr. Christopher Draper, who actually just dived away and returned to his own lines. Draper himself claimed one down and one OOC, possibly including Voss, who is described as being "slightly wounded" in the action. Voss did survive a crash landing after this action, his last with Jasta 5 - he was sent to command Jasta 29 - then Jasta 14 - and finally Jasta 10. With all this maneuvering on the ground, he finally scored again on 10 August.

Rich

I have seen it reported that Voss was shipped out Jasta Boelcke, along with Ralf von Lersner, because of their efforts to have Franz Walz relieved from command of the unit. Apparently they did not believe Walz to be aggressive enough.

Obviously MvR wanted Voss when he needed a replacement for von Althus in J10., so it's easy to see why Voss left J14. What were the reasons for his leaving Jastas 5 and 29?

Thanks for the information to all. The penciled in note appears to be right. Anyone know what the wounds were?

Mark,

Again according to UTG, he was initially chosen to command Jasta 29, succeeding Kurt Wolff, who returned to Jasta 11. Voss took command on 28 June.

He almost immediately took temporary command of Jasta 14, replacing Ernst Fr. von Althaus, who was sent to command Jasta 10. MvR did not keep von Althaus in command long, due to failing eyesight, and he decided Voss was the best choice available to him. Voss took over Jasta 10 on 30 July.

Sorry I didn't post more details before.

Rich

I've have often wondered about that story and Voss' campaign to unseat his commander. Voss seems to have been involved in a lot of politics. For example, I have read that he was moved to quieter parts of the front when his score started to approach the Red Baron's. I also seems that it was pretty bold of him to try and oust a superior officer. Does anybody have a handle on this. In the order of things, could this have happened, and does this go to the heart of a social order in the German air service?