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Hal Oele · 9 October 2009, 07:48 AM

Hi folks,

another important information around the Richthofen discussion...

Hal

"The 30th of April was notable for a change in German air fighting tactics. The fighter flights attached to the Arras Corps at Douai (3rd, 4th, 11th, and 33rd) were combined to form one group which could, as occasion demanded, operate as a massed fighting formation. This group, which made its first sweep on the morning of the 30th, was promptly named by us 'Richthofen's Circus'..." WAR IN THE AIR Vol.III, page 368

With nearly every modern Richthofen book you will find this information and because this statement is from "The history of the part played in the war by British air forces" it's a bible, often quoted in conjunction with this famous photograph of Jasta 11 at Roucourt. But is this statement true?
No!

In the seventies, i had the good fortune to tape an interview with an eyewitness:
Ltn. Heinz Geiseler was Jastapilot with the quoted Jasta 33 and he scored on this memorable 30th of April his first victory. Meanwhile his opponents survived as "zur Landung gezwungen" with their FE2d at 0845 near Oppy, his victory was no official. As a "Prussian Cadet", he was wounded as a 17 year old Leutnant, and leader of the 10.Kompanie, I.R.60.
On the attached photograph he is 19 years of age (April 1917)

Some people may be grateful that I don't post the map "Order of Battle", showing the airfields of the Jastas, Schustas and Fliegerabteilungen based around Douai in April 1917.

Yes, I'm in doubt to post here. Is the Aerodrome the right place for serious research or is fancyful history in demand, to win a community?
Is this the trouble with the Web?

Manfred Thiemeyer

9 October 2009, 07:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hal Oele Two-seater Pilot Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 188	Birth of the Richthofen Circus? Hi folks, another important information around the Richthofen discussion... Hal "The 30th of April was notable for a change in German air fighting tactics. The fighter flights attached to the Arras Corps at Douai (3rd, 4th, 11th, and 33rd) were combined to form one group which could, as occasion demanded, operate as a massed fighting formation. This group, which made its first sweep on the morning of the 30th, was promptly named by us 'Richthofen's Circus'..." WAR IN THE AIR Vol.III, page 368 With nearly every modern Richthofen book you will find this information and because this statement is from "The history of the part played in the war by British air forces" it's a bible, often quoted in conjunction with this famous photograph of Jasta 11 at Roucourt. But is this statement true? No! In the seventies, i had the good fortune to tape an interview with an eyewitness: Ltn. Heinz Geiseler was Jastapilot with the quoted Jasta 33 and he scored on this memorable 30th of April his first victory. Meanwhile his opponents survived as "zur Landung gezwungen" with their FE2d at 0845 near Oppy, his victory was no official. As a "Prussian Cadet", he was wounded as a 17 year old Leutnant, and leader of the 10.Kompanie, I.R.60. On the attached photograph he is 19 years of age (April 1917) Some people may be grateful that I don't post the map "Order of Battle", showing the airfields of the Jastas, Schustas and Fliegerabteilungen based around Douai in April 1917. Yes, I'm in doubt to post here. Is the Aerodrome the right place for serious research or is fancyful history in demand, to win a community? Is this the trouble with the Web? Manfred Thiemeyer Last edited by Hal Oele; 9 October 2009 at 07:54 AM.