Why couldn't he recover?

[Ritter von Fear]

This may well have been brought up before (and I do apologise in doing so again), however I would like to know any other possible theories that members might have in the circumstances of Max Immelmann's death.

If he did indeed shoot his propeller, why didn't he do what he did before, turn the engine off and perform a dead stick landing?

Perhaps he was badly wounded or even killed before he had chance to act, therefore creating the impression to the crew of the FE2b, that they had indeed shot him down.

It is often said that the aircraft broke apart in mid-air (the fuselage was found some distance away from the rest of the aircraft). Again perhaps he was wounded/dead and lost control of the aircraft and in term over stressing the aircraft, so that it broke apart.

There were many photographs taken of the wreckage, yet there are none of the body. Perhaps if there is a coroner's report of any bullet wounds on Max's body that might shed light to whether or not he was killed by the FE2B's gunner. If there were no wounds it would hold more bearing that his death was from the crash due to the structural failure of his aircraft.

Thank you for your comments

I would love to know the answer to that as well, my friend... But unfortunately, as far as I know, autopsies were not SOP when a soldier or airman was killed in the Kaiser's service. Also, even if an autopsy revealed no gunshot wound, that would not necessarily mean that Immelmann was not shot down... Afterall, one can be "shot down" without necessarily being "shot". Just my thoughts...

"Prost!"

[Ritter von Fear]

Originally Posted by VonReichel

Afterall, one can be "shot down" without necessarily being "shot". Just my thoughts...

This is true, after all the tail plane of his Fokker was found some distance away from the wreckage/body. And without a tail plane connected to the aircraft, well you are pretty much damned.

If the poor fellow was alive, it must have been horrifying, plummeting to your death and not being able to do a thing about it. I hope for his sake he was dead from a bullet before he hit the ground.

[history fan]

Max's brother, Franz wrote in the book, Der Adler von Lille that Max's plane vibrated apart in the air causing the inevitable crash. The book was written in 1936 (I think) and Franz seemed to be exhoriating the next generation of German airmen to take their duty as seriously as Immelmann had in the previous War. I suppose that dieing from an accident was preferred to having been bested by the enemy. In any case, I believe it is correct that there was no autopsy.

History Fan

[FliegerJG1]

I'll have to double check my references on this, but I recall reading that the plane's engine began to vibrate violently due to the prop damage and it was the engine's violent shaking that caused the plane to break apart which meant that a deadstick landing would not have been possible.

VBR...FliegerJG1

[Ritter von Fear]

Originally Posted by FliegerJG1

I'll have to double check my references on this, but I recall reading that the plane's engine began to vibrate violently due to the prop damage and it was the engine's violent shaking that caused the plane to break apart which meant that a deadstick landing would not have been possible.

VBR...FliegerJG1

If these engine vibrations were the main contributor to the crash, it seems strange that the engine and front of the aircraft were not ripped off as opposed to the tail plane. In the photos the only missing parts of the aircraft, seem to have been the tail plane and wings (which were presumably smashed on impact with the ground).

[history fan]

I have to second what FliegerJG1 said about the engine vibrations causing the crash.... at least that is what Franz Immelmann said. As to the remains of the plane showing primarily tail damage, I can't say. HF

One thing is for certain...

Unser lieb commerad, Herr Immelmann, wirklich hätte eine balistic Schütte jenen Tag ich würde sagen benutzen können!

(Our dear commerad, Herr Immelmann, could have really used a balistic chute that day I'd say!)

"Prost!"

[JG1Schorner]

Since the only person in that plane never got the chance to tell, we'll never know. He was engaged with an FE2 at the time and the British crew claimed him as a victory. Whether the damage to his plane was inflicted by the British Fee or by a malfunction in his own aircraft we will never know. Exactly what happened that caused the plane to come apart we will never know either since the plane was a heap of junk after the crash.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by JG1Schorner

Exactly what happened that caused the plane to come apart we will never know either since the plane was a heap of junk after the crash.

Agree with all of the above, except the tail section. It came down relatively intact and was recovered. R.