A Party in 1917 @ FA(A) 258

10 May 2005, 03:40 PM

I'm just starting to scratch the surface of a foto album I salvaged from Germany that was being destroyed... piece by piece by a nice (but IMO unscrupulous) seller. I thought you guys would enjoy the foto! First the basic image:

The photo was one of the few ripped from the album that retained some of the backing. The note below has been deciphered as follows:

1= Lt Bühler (there's a Saxon, prussian & 2 from Württemburg with this name)
2= Oberlt von Rauchfuss (TWO of them)
3= Rittm Prinz Friedrich Karl von Preussen (already-- POW & DOW from this FlA(A)258)
4= Vifldw Kopp (himself)
5= Rittm von Schleinitz (not repeat NOT a flyer, from Dragoon Rgt 6)
6= Lt dR can'tread
7= Hauptmann Ernst Brandenburg (1883-1952), mere months away from getting his PLM... and the only OFFICER I have ever seen wearing a flying unit sleeve oval
8= Lt von Ahlefeld in an Uhlan uniform (greta--TWO< both Uhlan Rgt 13)
9= Oberlt Bauermann-- FRITZ, BZ3bX 12.7.15 FestFlgAbt Metz, survived war
10= Lt d? (Beidelberg?)
11= Vifdl Grall- RUDOLF, crashed 26.5, DO injuries 29.5.17 FlA(A)258
12= Utfz Illegible with 2zs in his name

So taken early 1917, Flieger Abteilung (A) 258

Taz · 10 May 2005, 03:58 PM

Stogieman- Great photo.

Taz

10 May 2005, 05:07 PM

Yes... Excellent photo, Stogieman! Viele Dank! Could you possibly send one without the numbers?... I'd love to add that to my collection, if you have no objections of course.

"Prost!"

10 May 2005, 05:17 PM

Taz, I owe you big time CD as soon as I figure out how to do it! Here's the "raw photo" as sold, with the original backing. All of these are at a friend's house right now. he's working on translating what writing remains. Thankfully, I finally persuaded the seller to stop ripping the album up. I saved 8 pages.... at least 5 were destroyed, including all the notations by the pilot. His name was Kopp, he was a Vizefeldwebel Pilot and survived the war.

OK, won't let me attach.... working, please be patient. When I have some great stuff prepared, I will post up everything. It's pretty amazing stuff!

Rick · 10 May 2005, 05:26 PM

Rick:

I agree with Taz, great photo. Looking forward to MORE ! Prinz Friedrich Karl of Preussen was taken POW on 21Mar17, so this is the "latest" date this photo could have been taken. Oblt. Fritz Bauermann was stv. C.O. 4.10-10.10.17. Kopp was posted out in Aug17. Rudolf Grall was lost in May17 as stated. Possibly a New Years Eve party (16/17 ??) R.

Soderbaum · 11 May 2005, 02:32 PM

Very interesting photo Stogieman and thanks for sharing it with us...!

Do you happened to have also a copy of the handwritten names of the flyers...? ...if so, some of our Forumites could perhaps "clear out" some names...

My first opinion is that the photo is taken in Feb to Mar 1917 as I have that the "Prince" arrived to the unit in Feb 17...

I also wonder what Brandenburg is doing in the photo, as I have that Hptm Friedrich Petri (P) was commander during this period...??
It might exist a photo of Petri in one of O´Connors books...

I also have that Lt Ahrens ought to be in the photo, and Lt dR Paul Doege (O) served in the unit during this period...

As for number 1, could it be Lt Konrad Bieler (P)..?.. who I also have in the unit during this period...but I also have a Lt Hermann Büscher serving in the unit around this time...I think there exists photos on Bieler as he was an "Ace" according to German rules...

2. I have the first name of von Rauchfuss as Hans...

7. Fritz Bauermann could have been an old "friend" to Hptm Petri from the time Petri served in 2FeFA Metz (it actually existed two different FeFa Metz)...what do you mean with BZ3bX...?

Other candidates who could have served in FAA 258 during this period are:
Vfw (soon Lt dR) Hahn (P)
Lt Engel (O)
Uffz J Heidelberg (P)
Gefr Wellhausen (P)
Vfw Willy Wenck (P) who was higly decorated...

Gunnar

Soderbaum · 11 May 2005, 02:56 PM

At a further note in my records, it seems that Heidelberg arrived to late in 1917 for beeing in the photo...

Gunnar

Buddecke · 14 May 2005, 10:28 AM

Well, a great photo.

You know, I would like to buy it, too

But you win the auction.

Thanks for present.

Tobias

Taz · 14 May 2005, 03:36 PM

Buddecke- Stogieman had a tough time in this auction because unbeknownst to us, we were bidding against each other. Afraid I cost him some money, but the album is gorgeous just from the low res shots I have seen.

Terry Phillips
Taz