[FOKKERJ]

Hi George,

I hope that I can clear this confusion up.

Originally Posted by GMU

A.E Ferko “Richthofen” p23:



Again, going back to MT’s post, he referred to a statement with these four points:

a) The joint operation of Jastas 3,4,11 and 33
b) April 30, 1917
c) The term “Richthofen Circus”
d) The lineup photo.

So which is not correct?

I believe that you can eliminate A, B, C, & D, but hang on to "B".

Originally Posted by Hal Oele

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!

Originally Posted by GMU

The term flying circus was certainly coined later by the Allies.

However, was there a joint operation at all? If there was one, was it on April 30th?

Does the lineup photo correspond to that event?

Jasta 11 and 4 were based at Roucourt, but were there other aircraft from other Jastas there for the photo?

I don’t know which part of the statement MT points out as incorrect.

George

Take that saved "B" and apply it to the following.

Originally Posted by Hal Oele

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

If I have this right, MT is telling us that for one Ltn. Heinz Geiseler, a very monumental occassion happened on 30-4 1917:

Originally Posted by Hal Oele

Ltn. Heinz Geiseler was Jastapilot with the quoted Jasta 33 and he scored on this memorable 30th of April his first victory.

Along with debunking the "MYTH", this is what I have determined to be the facts that Manfred is choosing to share with us.

He also states that he has "the map "Order of Battle", showing the airfields of the Jastas, Schustas and Fliegerabteilungen based around Douai in April 1917."

Best Wishes, Jay