"Richthofen’s Circus”

Mark_Miller · 28 July 2004, 12:29 PM

Hi
I just saw a review on Hyperscale of a new book by Greg VanWyngarden:
"Richthofen’s Circus” Jagdgeschwader Nr 1
Hyperscale review

looks like yet another book I'll have to buy
Congrats Greg B)
mark

wingstrutdotcom · 28 July 2004, 01:00 PM

Just shows more good things come from the Mid West!

I think he has surpassed the corn and wheat as most valuable export comodotities.

Ginger. · 28 July 2004, 03:51 PM

I know our mob called them the 'flying circus' were the Germans aware of the nickname?

Gregvan · 28 July 2004, 08:52 PM

Hi Ginger,

Good question. I know that the Germans themselves never used the name 'Circus' - they simply called it Jagdgeschwader I, or JG I, JaGe I, or Geschwader Richthofen. I would imagine that German intelligence was certainly aware of this name from interrogations of captured British airmen, but how much of that knowledge was filtered down to the actual member pilots, I don't know.

One of the few German references to this from an actual member comes from the memoirs and letters of Friedrich Ruedenberg, a briefly-serving member of Jasta 10. His memoirs and letters were featured in "OtF" Volume 16 No. 2, 2001, edited by Dr. Dieter Groeschel and Dr. Dov Gavish. In his memoirs Ruedenberg wrote of his arrival at Jasta 10 of JG I, quote: "probably the only German unit on the Western Front that received a special name from the Royal Air Force, the Flying Circus".

Now, I don't know if Ruedenberg and his fellows knew of this name during the war, or he only became aware of it later, as the memoirs were written some time after the war.

Greg VanWyngarden

Ginger. · 30 July 2004, 04:53 PM

Thanks for that Greg, your replies are always informative and interesting.

RAGIII · 6 August 2004, 11:03 PM

Just ordered my copy wednessday. Also Lafayette Escadrille. Should be here by Monday. Really looking forward to both!
RAGIII

Laserlloyd · 7 August 2004, 07:53 PM

Greg:

I just wanted to let you know that I'm waiting on my copy. I can't wait to read it. I just wish I know the author to get my copy signed......

I will be adding this to my book list. Please let me know if you are working on books that I could add them too.

Lloyd...

RAGIII · 11 August 2004, 06:13 PM

Received my copy today!

I have not had time to read the text but I have perused the Pictures and Profiles. All I can say is WOW!!!! I have been buying anything related to JG1 that I could for Thirty years. This book has pictures I had not seen and some New to Me Color schemes. The one pic that makes the book is that fuzzy photo of Kirschteins DVII! Stripes everywhere!! I love it. Thanks Greg for a terrific Effort!
RAGIII

Gregvan · 11 August 2004, 08:27 PM

Hi RAGIII,

Many thanks for the kind words. I appreciate them more than you know. I hope you enjoy the text of the book as well!

The historic photo of Kirschstein's D.VII was made available through the kindness of a fellow forumite.

Glad you liked Jon's Lafayette Escadrille book too - it's terrific!

Greg

RAGIII · 13 August 2004, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gregvan@Aug 12 2004, 03:27 AM
[b] Hi RAGIII,

Many thanks for the kind words. I appreciate them more than you know. I hope you enjoy the text of the book as well!

The historic photo of Kirschstein's D.VII was made available through the kindness of a fellow forumite.

Glad you liked Jon's Lafayette Escadrille book too - it's terrific!

Greg

Started reading today. The text is done in a way that although you are reading familiar facts, the Pilots stories make it seem almost new! Still Very impressed!
RAGIII