Hi Jay,
Thanks, but still confused.
The statement:
Quote:
"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.
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Manfred Thiemeyer's assertion:
Quote:
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But is this statement true? No!
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I agree. Manfred Thiemeyer wrote that something big happened on the 30th.
However, what part of the statement is wrong?
I believe it is true that Jastas 3, 4, 11 and 33 cooperated on that date, April 30th. However, Ferko's statement is puzzling as he says that the KTB (war diaries) of the involved Jastas failed to mention this event.
I would think that the incorrect part of the statement is that the Jastas were combined into one group, meaning that they formally, or officially, operated as Geschwader as such. Let alone being called “Richthofen's Circus”. IMHO, they just coordinated operations, and operated from different airfields in the same sector.
But, what about the line up photo? I am not sure if Manfred Thiemeyer also refers as incorrect the statement of it being taken on such occasion.
George