RFA 500 losses 24 January 1917

Regulus · 27 October 2004, 11:29 AM

Hi,

On the 24th of January 1917 a whole number of personnel from Riesenflugzeug Abteilung 500 was killed at Alt-Auz in unknown circumstances : Fliegers Georg Hebmüller, Emil Jacob and Georg Süsskow, Lt. Franz Krüger who was a pilot and Oblt. Willibald Reibedanz, observer.
I saw they are also in the CGAS, so their loss is for certain, but that doesn't clear anything up for me neither. Can anyone help on this one ?

Thanks and best from Johan

Rick · 27 October 2004, 02:05 PM

Johan,

This was the crash of the VGO.III 10/15. It was the first fatal crash of an R-plane. Source, Haddow and Grosz, "The German R. Planes". R.

Cigogne · 27 October 2004, 02:08 PM

The bigger they are... the harder they fall (fell?)

Regulus · 27 October 2004, 02:18 PM

Hi Rick,

Great to hear you back !

Same scenario on the 19th August 1917 at Halberstadt : Flieger Karl Ebert, Vizefeldw. Heinrich Eismann, Gefr. Paul Munk, observer Lt. Karl Plagermann and pilot Oblt. Effrem Rosetti-Solescu

Were both crashes due to enemy action or was this just an accidental crash ?

Thank you very much and best from Johan

Cigogne, you're quite right !

Rick · 27 October 2004, 04:35 PM

The 19 August 1917 loss was the crash of the Staaken R.VII R.14/15. Both losses were crashes, not due to enemy action. However, VGO.III R.10/15 was, at least, returning from a bombing mission. R.

Regulus · 28 October 2004, 12:54 PM

Thanks Rick ! Shame on me ! Just found out I had the information on the Versuchs Gotha Ost plane (VGO) almost right under my nose all the time, frustrating that I had to call on someone else and that I didn't see it. Sorry !
Man ! I think I'm getting old !

However the 19th August crash was unknown to me !

Thanks and best from Johan