Leutnant Friedrich Graepel

[Immo_Frese]

I'm searching for further information concerning the young Leutnant Friedrich Graepel. He flew with Jasta 28w and was KIA at 11.30 hours on 4.January 1918 near Becelaere.
Does anybody know who shot him down? I found several claims made by british pilots in RFC Communiqués on that day. Captain John Ingles Gilmour, 65.Sqn, claimed a Alb DV at 11.10 south of Geluvelt, which lies only 2 km SE of Becelaere. Probably he is the right man? Was there a diffenrence in german and british time at this date?
Also Captain William Fry, 23 Sqn., claimed a Alb DV which crashed at 11.10 E of Becelaere.

I was surprised to find Lt.Graepels grave at the "Ehrenhain" on Stöcken Cemetary in Hannover.
As far as I know he was born in Rudolstadt. Had he had any family connections to Hannover? His grave is still in good condition.

Any thoughts gentlemen?

Regards, Immo

[Rick]

On 4 Jan 1918, German time was one hour ahead of Allied time. The major problem I've found in trying to match German losses with Allied claims, is that for any single German loss you usually find anywhere from 5 - over 20 Allied claims - especially British or American. Unless the German crew comes down on the Allied side of the lines, or is otherwise districtly marked or able to be 'defined' it is just an exercise in futility.

[wings]

Fowler, of 23 Squadron, claimed an Albatros scout at 11.05 AM, the right wings falling off. Fry, in the same combat, said the the fuselage and tail was yellow. Jasta 28 had yellow tails with black stripes.

[wings]

Moore, of No.1 Sq., also claimed a scout at 11AM, with a YELLOW tail, south of Terhand.

[rammjaeger]

Immo,

es gibt auch eine Gemeinde mit Namen Gräpel in Niedersachsen (Kreis Stade). Such mal mit GOOGLE nach Gräpel und Hannover!

[Immo_Frese]

Rick and jasta,
thank you very much for the informations, especially for quoting the combat reports. I'm also aware of the problems with multiple british victory claims, but in this case in all likelihood Leutnant Gräpel seems to be shot down by pilots of 1. or 23 Sqn RFC. Were there any other Jastas stationed at this time in 4.Armee sector which had yellow tails?
Unfortunately Kofl 4 report of this week is missing.

Hannes,
vielen Dank für den Suchtip. Vielleicht sollte ich auch mal die alten Adressbücher der Stadt Hannover abgrasen. Oder man fragt mal bei der Friedhofsverwaltung an, ob die noch Unterlagen über die alten Grabstellen haben? Ob die solche Infos rausgeben (Datenschutz)???

Gruß, Immo

Immo,
was Grabstellen betrifft, so läßt sich über jede Friedhofsverwaltung feststellen, ob es noch sogenannte Nutzungsberechtigte gibt. Wenn ja, kann man denen einen Brief schreiben. Aus Datenschutzgründen werden die Verwaltungen Dir die Adresse nicht sagen, den Brief aber weiterleiten und es dem Empfänger überlassen, ob er mit Dir in Verbindung treten will. Es hat schon ein paar mal gut funktioniert.

Mosen

[rammjaeger]

Außerdem kannst Du doch einfach ein paar Graepels eine EMail senden, z.B. Alexander oder Eva Graepel oder anderen dieses Namens, die sich aus der Suchmaschinen-Recherche ergeben.