Fliegerpfeilen

Regulus · 10 February 2002, 10:30 PM

Hi,

In a report of 13th april 1915 I find that two German seaplanes attacked a British steamer with Bombs and 'Fliegerpfeilen' or something that could be translated as an airplanearrow. Some kind of rockets in this early stage of the war ? Anyone knowing anything on what it was, how it worked, how effective it was ?

VBR from Regulus

Immo_Frese · 10 February 2002, 10:54 PM

Hi Regulus,

"Fliegerpfeile" were little but heavy iron- or steel made arrows, which were pour out from 2-seaters above the enemy trenches at the early stage of the war. Another possibility was to attack artillery positions with it. It was a terrible weapon against horses at the point of time the aircraft weren't equipped with MG. The "Fliegerpfeile" were ca. 20 cm long and could easily penetrate helmets.

VBR, Immo

Regulus · 10 February 2002, 11:47 PM

Vielen dank Immo !

That was really very fast ! Never heard of the things before. I'm brushing up my book on the whole Marinekorps Flandern for an English version that should get out by the end of the year. Do you mind I mention your name in the acknowledgements ? You've already helped me a lot after all !
Thanks again,

VBR from Regulus

Immo_Frese · 11 February 2002, 12:20 AM

Oh, that would be a great honor to me

I wish you good luck with your project. I've read the german version of your book and I appreciate it very much.

BTW, I think I saw a few Fliegerpfeile at the exposition in the museum about the great war in Ypern a few years ago. Can't remember the exact name but it was near the "Tuchhalle".

VBR, Immo

Regulus · 11 February 2002, 01:28 AM

Thanks Immo, appreciate it that you appreciate it !

The very good museum that there was in Ieper has dissapeared. Instead came a new museum with enormous photo's, lots of multimedia, big show, but nothing for anyone who is seriously interested in WW I. The only German item they have that looks good is a Pickelhaube, however with a completely wrong cocarde. For the rest : oochh !

There are only two very good museums left in that area. One is from Roger De Smul at Hooghe, near the famous Hooghe Crater, where the flammenwerfer were introduced. He even has a wonderfull restored WW I Gulashkanone ! And great full scale diorama's. It is small but the very best !
The other museum is at Zonnebeke and belongs to the municipality. It has a number of great things on the war in the area, lots of stuff that was found and also some full scale diorama's.

Hill 60 and 62 museums had great collections, but have never been cared for. It's sad to see over fifthy wonderfull Pickelhaubes in such bad condition because of lack of caring for them.

And in all honesty, there were a number of stupidities I wrote down on MFFA's of the Marinekorps, even in the German version. Which will now be corrected for the English one. Unfortunately Mittler did not give the chance to correct anything, like I wanted it.
Translation of some naval vocabulary was not that either.
But of course everything can always be better.

VBR from Regulus

Droops · 11 February 2002, 03:16 AM

The French used those weapons as well, flechete darts. I also want to call them Rankin darts? The British used the darts on anti-zeppelin patrols, attempting to drop them from above. The French used them on trenches and troop concentrations.

VBR,

john

gregoire · 11 February 2002, 03:50 AM

About the french flechette there were different caliber and I have seen a add of one of the midle sized one (the longest one were about half a man long the one I am talking was about 50cm) that was say to be able to go across a casqued cavalryman and his horse.

11 February 2002, 07:14 AM

My (admittedly faulty) memory suggests to me that Ranken Darts were somewhat larger than the flechette type being discussed here.

Dan_San_Abbott · 11 February 2002, 09:04 AM

Regulus:
If I remember correctly, was a phrase stamped on the Fliegerpfeile was French invention, made in Germany, of coursein German. Immo, you probably have something on this.
this was a real indescrimate weapon.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Regulus · 11 February 2002, 09:36 PM

Thank tou very much each and everyone of you !

It was a crazy thing to attack a ship with Fliegerpfeile in my opinion ! But well, in love and war...

In 'The German Air Raids on Great Britain' of Capt. Joseph Morris in 1925 I found a few things on the Ranken darts. In an attack 31 st march 1916 on L15 2nt Lt A. de Brandon overtook the airship and dropped explosive darts on her. Seems he just made a few holes in her. Another try with an incendiary boms and more darts was unsuccesfull. However without knowing it all had proven fatal for L15. Further in the book I found that the explosive darts were an invention of Commander Ranken of the RN. Didn't know about it at all.

VBR from Regulus