MFJ IV and MFJ V

[Rick]

This question is primarily directed at Alain, Gunnar and Johan, but anyone else who knows the answer, feel free to contribute. *

* * * When MLS II, or Nemünster II was broken up to form MFJ IV and MFJ V, did this occur on 1Sep18 or 15Sep18? *I've seen both dates in more-or-less 'official' *German documents, but I'm unsure what the "real" date is? *Any ideas?? * *Thanks, * * Rick

[Soderbaum]

Hi Rick

On 1 August 1918 the Seefrontstaffel stationed at Neumünster was split up.

The 2-s of the unit stayed at Neumünster and was renamed SFS(Seeflugstation) III.
As commander of this unit was the well known Torpedo flyer Lt zS Theodor Rowehl(O) choosen. He did however only stayed as commander until 24 Aug 1918. After that the also known "Bomberpilot" Lt zS Ludwig von Frankenberg took over as commander.

The 1-s pilots of the Seefrosta soon moved to Vlisseghem and was divided into two Staffeln. Sometimes called Seefrosta I and II....BUT I think the correct name should be Seefrontstaffel, Staffel I and Seefrontstaffel, Staffel II.
They wrote the KTB(War diary) together until 15 September 1918...!

The first mention I have seen of MFJ IV and MFJ V is a Marine Kofl report from 18 September 1918...

This indicates that the real formation date was 15 or 16 September(but the order/decision could be from an earlier date)....

But unfortunate I dont have the weekly Kofl Marine reports yet, which are stored in Freiburg(and partly USA) which surely ought to give the correct dates...

8)
Gunnar

Hi Rick.

Gunnar is partly right.

When in august 18 the Seefronstaffel was split up in Seefrontstaffel I and Seefrontstaffe II thye still had the Fernaufklärungsabteilung added to them. The unit did not have a separate KTB. (I havent' found any yet, and none are in freiburg)
Later when the Seefrosta I and Seefrosta II became Mar Jasta IV and V, then you have SEE III. (15 september)

Then the Marinkorps was still stationed at the belgian coast.
OK. Then when teh the Naval corps retreated at teh end o oktober 18 SEE III, being a Fernaufklärungabteilung operating above the sea became useless.

The unit was then reallocated tho the .... Reserve corps (forgot the name, 23 I think). as they had no oversea duties anymore the name was again changed in Marine Feld Flieger III.

So actually betwee somewhere from 31.10.18 until 11.11.18 SEE III , the fernaufklärungstaffel of the Seefrosta was names III. M.F.F.A.

Alain.

Damm you Rick, damm you Gunnar : Now you obliged me to reveal hard years of research. I was planning to treserve that nuw idea for my 1 st book. > ???

Ps: Gunnar my papers from Freiburg should heve been send in december. Somthing went wrong. They still are at Freiburg, but within 2 weeks they should be here.

[Rick]

Thanks guys. Sorry Alain, but now I want your book more than ever!! R.