Rittmeister Erich Graf Holck

[Dario_Silva]

Hello!!

In the Web site of Thorsten Pietsch, two images exist on a German pilot: Erich Graf Holck

http://www.frontflieger.de/4-ric15.html

Somebody something can contribute additional on him?

Maybe their record of service, some additional photo?

Some known airplane that he flew exist? serial number? type?

Some reference of their flights with Richthofen?

Thanked ahead of time to all by their help.

Dario

[Rick]

The service record that I have put together for him leaves a lot to be desired, but:
FFA 69 _______ Aug15 - Jan16
FFA 57 _______ Jan16 - Aug16
FA 203(A) ____ Aug16 - 30Apr16 KIA

[Regulus]

Hi,

Rick,

1917 ? Typo !?

According to Thorsten he fell near Verdun in 1916, April 30th... with AFA 203 ? See also CGAS ? Same man ?

Shouldn't it be Erich, Graf von Holck ? I think the family went back to times of the Holy Roman Empire

Born in Mexico ? That's interesting, did a branch of the family go to live there ?

Best from Johan

[Rick]

Yep, typo. Sometimes the brain and the fingers aren't always on the same page!! Thanks, I'll fix it. And also yes, Erich Graf von Holck. R.

[Dario_Silva]

Friend Rick and Johan:

Friend Rick, Excellent the help of its service record, is of a lot of help.

Friend Johan, yes, I found very interesting the that he has been born in city of Mexico, having a German noble name.

Did he belong to the German nobility?

I also read that he winning Horseman before the war.

Somebody something can contribute additional about him?



In this Web site: www.geocities.com/taipan1961/Richthofen.htm

Says:

“In late April 1916, he was flying an Albatros two-seater in which he had a gun fitted to the upper wing. He came across a French Nieuport 11, but the French plane turned tail and fled from the conflict. Manfred overhauled the aircraft and got close before opening fire and the Nieuport fell near Fort de Douaumont on the allied side of the lines. Like his previous "victory", this was not accredited to von Richthofen, but the communiqué for April 26th acknowledged the aircraft had been shot down by a German aircraft. The 1st of May saw him witness the death of his friend Count von Holck.”



It is also read:



“I love my new occupation as a pilot. I don't think anything else can attract me in this war. I fly a Fokker monoplane, a plane which Boelcke and Immelmann have had great success. I was very much grieved about Holck's death. Three days before he was killed, he visited me and we had much fun together. He told me of his imprisonment in Montenegro. One cannot imagine that this fine fellow doesn't exist anymore. I witnessed his last air fight. First he shot down a Frenchman in the midst of a hostile squadron. Then he evidently had a jam in his machine gun and wanted to return to the air above our lines. A whole swarm of Frenchmen were on him. With a bullet through the head, he fell from an altitude of 9000 ft - a beautiful death. Today I am going to fly at his funeral.”



Does he have shot downs??

Flying an E.III the same day KIA? Was claims or credited?

A victory in a Two-Seater Albatros? He was pilot, Richthofen was observer? Albatros of what model?? 25 April 1917?

Grateful of their comments.

Excuse so many questions.

Dario

[Rick]

Dario,

As far as I can tell, Graf Holck scored his first and only victory over a Caudron on 30Apr16. He was flying a Fokker E.III with FA 203(A). R.

I believe Paul Henning von Osterroth was the pilot of the Albatross two seater when MvR claimed his Nieuport on April 26th.

If I remember correctly, there are several pages on Holck in one of the O'Connor volumes including several views of his final crash site. I also believe that he was ultimately credited to Albert Deullin, his fourth of an eventual 20/21.

[MattyBoy]

Hi everyone,

Quoting from Peter Kilduff's 'Richthofen - Beyond The Legend Of The Red Baron':-

The prospect of aerial combat occurred again on 01 May (1916), when, off in the distance near Verdun, Richthofen saw a Fokker Eindekker boldly attack a flight of twin-engined Caudron bombers. He (Richthofen) was hampered by a head-wind and, as he struggled to come to his country-man's aid, he witnessed the Fokker pilot's valiant efforts: 'First, he shot down a Frenchman in the midst of a hostile squadron. Then he evidently had a jam in his machine-gun and wanted to return to the air above our lines. A whole swarm of Frenchmen were on him. With a bullet through his head, he fell from an altitude of 3,000 metres - a beautiful death.'
subsequently, Richthofen learned that the Fokker pilot had been his old friend Rittm Erich Graf von Holck, whom he had visited a few days earlier.

Kilduff also states that Holck was a successful racing-car driver before the war.

Dario, I know this is more-or-less the account you have just given us, but I thought I would quote it in full anyway.
Manfred was Holck's observer when they served in FA69 together. They also survived a crash together in August? 1915.

Matt.

[Dario_Silva]

Friends.

Grateful of all their comments, very valuable.

Rick, could you revise the service record again? Excuse my audacity, my doubt it is for August 1916.

Count_Holck, excellent their contribution. Are you family descending of him?

The reference I believes it is: Neal O'Connor's vol. VI. in the section 14 on the House Merit Order Duke Peter Friedrich. (This reference gave it Cigogne, in the Old forum, in 2002).

I have not seen those images. Grateful of the fact to who is credited their shot down.

What airplane flew Albert Deullin and with which squadron he was?

Matt, Thank you, for you write reference, Peter Kilduff. It is of a lot of utility. Valuable.

With that story it can settle down that the airplane that is credited to von Holck, is a Caudron G.4? You Have some opinion on this conclusion?

Does some know what airplane type he flew with Richthofen in the FFA 69??

In what airplane type, shatters to earth in 1915 with Richthofen?

Any other appointment, or source, comment or helps it is welcome.

Excuse my bad English.

Grateful.

Dario

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Dario_Silva

Rick, could you revise the service record again? Excuse my audacity, my doubt it is for August 1916.

Yes, I see the problem. Let me get back to you. R.