Uncle Theo

[Barrett]

Theo Osterkamp, being a naval aviator and a two-war ace, is one of my favorites, and Len Deighton is one of my favorite authors. The two lines crossed on the chart in Deighton's "Fighter," a 1980ish study of the Battle of Britain. It's pure history, as opposed to his superb 1970ish novel "Bomber."
However, Deighton describes Osterkamp as a protoge' of Boelcke, "close friend" of MvR, sparring partner of Guynemer and victim of Ball. I severely doubt the first two, considering he was navy and a latecomer to fighters, and have not found confirmation of the latter pair in any sources close at hand.
Any details?

[Stephanie]

Is it in "Fighter" that Deighton makes these claims about Osterkamp? Poor library taken into account, I have next to nothing on this guy.

[rammjaeger]

Sims quotates his interview with Osterkamp in "Fighter Tactics and Strategy in 1914-1970".
There is a sentence indicating that Osterkamp was knowing MvR relatively good and trained already with Boelcke (??). Additional Osterkamp is describing a fight against "Guynemer" and is also claiming to be one time Balls victim. Maybe the old General was mixing up some things here. Osterkamp said also he came in early April 1917 to the front.

Hello All,

In the past, I too have read things about "Onkel Theo" that didn't seem to make sense. Awhile back on another Forum thread, Johan Ryheul stated that in his later years, Theo exaggerated and/or made up stories to enthrall his interviewers--as if his real adventures weren't thrilling enough. I think some of these claims fall in that category.

In truth, he was still a tough, interesting character who was well-liked and respected by his men in both World Wars, and many aviation buffs thereafter.

Best Wishes,
Gary

Hi Barrett,

Reserach has shown that Uncle Theo loved to make himself even more interesting then he already was.

In an interview and in his book he tells a number of his stories. For example he claims to have had a fight with the french ace Garros, when in reality Osterkamp arrived in Flanders at the MFFA over one month after Garros had been downed and taken POW.
His story with Guynemer could easily be verified. Theo said that he was an official victory of Guynemer, that one hour after his forced landing he was back in the air and also scored a confirmed victory. No dates of victories of both aces match, not even the unconfirmed ones.
The story of being a protégé of Boelcke is rather new to me, but also something I regard suspiciously. I can not imagine how the two would have met as Boelcke never was closely stationed to a base where Theo was.
On Manfred von Richthofen there are a number of possibilies that they met eachother as MvR was stationed in Gistel with the Brieftauben Abteilung Oostende, an airfield which was well known and also used (not at the same time however) by the MFFA. They possibly met also on the 18th august 1917. However I have no proof of that.
The Ball story is probably just one of his little fable's as there has not been found any proof on that either. Perhaps Gunnar knows more about this story.
I must say that may opinion on Theo has changed, I still higly respect him as an ace, but his stories have done my opinion on him more bad than good.
Sachsenberg for example has never had any need for these kind of fable's and became before, during and after WW II one of the leading pioneers with Baron von Schertel on the hydrofoils. But this is a completely different story.


VBR from Johan

Thanks Gary !

I couldn't agree more !

VBR from Johan

Dear Stephanie,

In even the largest libraries, it might be difficult to find much information on Osterkamp. However, there are a few people here at the Forum who have excellent knowledge of the exploits of the Marine Feld Jagdstaffeln (MFJ's) and the personnel who served with them. Some of them have already replied to this thread, and are present and accounted for.

There have been some recent Forum discussions here that you might check out that contained info about Onkel Theo--just work your way through the comments until you find him:

21Aug00 Johann "Hans" Baur
09Jul00 Sachsenberg
28Jun00 II Marine Feld Jagdstaffel-
Osterkamp pics

Also see this website:
http://209.235.66.44/WW1/Germans/Pilots/Os....htm

All of that should give you enough background, but if you need more, any of us would be happy to help.

Best Wishes,
Gary

A document at the Militär Archiv Freiburg proves us that Osterkamp arrived here in Moorsele (at the front)at the II. MLFA on 26st of June 1915.
Literally:"Bericht Nr. 900, Moorsele 26 juni 1915, An das Kommando des Marine Luftfahrtwesens des Marinekorps, Brügge,...., Obersteuermannsmaat Osterkamp heute hier eintraf."
Horrido!
Lothair

[Barrett]

Stephanie Honey: good to see you on the forum again. You've been missed!
Yes, Deighton did make the afore-mentioned assertions ref. TO in "Fighter." It may well be that his source was Sims, who really should have known better. Any of us in the history-writing & selling biz is vulnerable to accepting "documented" information. An extremely fine historian has repeated the myth that Quentin Reynolds perpetrated about Voss' fabled "last night in Berlin" before being KIA.
Sketpticism, skepticism...long may it wave.