The Bodenschatz diaries

Just read Jan Hayzlett's translation of 'Jagd in Flanderns Himmel' yesterday for the first time and was impressed with the detailed daily reports on JG1 matters as recorded by Bodenschatz.

Bodenschatz's account is filled with nationalistic pride, as well it should be. The fact that the book was written shortly after the rise of the NSDAP, where Bodenschatz's friend and last commander was a powerful political figure, is not obviously apparent, as there is very little in the way of the championing of the new Germany (at least in the Hayzlett book). However, the text is filled with references describing the German use of inferior raw materials, as required by a small country at war with the world, vs. the British best of everything. The inference being that the German airmen more than held their own against an enemy fighting with the best of everything, both qualitatively and quantitatively. It would surprise me if ALL of this sort of rhetoric in the book was actually written during the first war. My guess is that while it may in fact be true, repetition of this topic was added into the book by 1930's German propagandists.

It is expected that the author recorded a first-hand and accurate account of JG1 activity, since he "was there ". With a personal interest in learning more about JG1 member Erich Löwenhardt, I was surprised to find an entry which did not "seem" to be correct, regarding a Mar 10 meeting between MvR and his four Jasta commanders (not listed by name in the Mar 10 meeting minutes). After discussing several specific strategic issues regarding the use of the Jastas to suppport the upcoming German offensive, the final point made by MvR (and recorded by Bodenschatz) states that ... "Jasta Löwenhardt will attack hostile enemy balloons..."

Löwenhardt did not assume command of J10 until April 19. While he was by March 1918 the JG's balloon expert, why would the text refer to the March 1918 Jasta 10 as Jasta Löwenhardt, when it was at this time commanded by Klein, himself a Richthofen favorite?

I read with interest your interpretation of the Bodenschatz diaries. Do there exist diaries that were written contemporaneously by aces (I am interested in German aces)?

[Immo_Frese]

Hi Mark!
As far as I know, Hans Klein was WIA on 19.Febr.1918 in a dogfight with Camels from 54.Sqdn. He lost his right thumb in this fight and saw no further action till the end of the war. However he returned to Jasta 10 on 26.April 1918 as a ground officer.
The next day Löwenhardt took over command of Jasta 10. So I think he was the acting leader during the "Michael-Offensive". It seems to be, that 1.April is the "official" date, but obviously he was the "Leader in the air" the weeks between February to April.
So I think Bodenschatz is right in his diaries.

Kind regards, Immo