FFA 23: Hptm. v. Berndt vs Hptm v. Brandt

[frontflieger]

Hi,

I recently bought the book "Kriegserlebnisse eines Fernaufklärers" (Adventures of a long-range-observer). Lt. Radenbach was member of FA 23 Lb and gives his CO Hptm. von Berndt... but in fact his name was von Brandt! ... Strangely enough 'some' of the mentioned names are real (like v. Bülow, Graf Bethusy) but others are slightly changed e. g. Lt. "Fastnacht" is given as "Karneval" which means almost the same... but in an different manner.

What do you think/ know about v. Brandt/v. Berndt?

Thorsten

[Soderbaum]

Hi Thorsten

It is a very interesting book about one of the top unit units within the German Air Force.

The fact that the unit did contain NINE Pour le Merite holders has been discussed earlier here on the Forum...but sadly only eight of them could be identified...

The unit did have a Saxon background but strangely it never did become a real Saxon unit, probably it was too much prestige and the Prussian did wanted to keep this top unit as "their own"...?

The fact that Hptm Fritz von Brandt gen Flender is "mis-spelled" could perhaps depend on a hand-written manuscript..??

I am also interested to obtain more information about von Brandt. I knew that he was a Prussian and served originally within IR 144 and that he was promoted already on 20 May 1914..

Anyone knews when he took over the command of FA 23 (later lb) or have information about earlier war service...??


Gunnar

[rammjaeger]

Thorsten,

I have no clear answer to your question until now. It is enigmatic to me too.

but I can say the following to the Saxon designation of the unit:
The Prussians may have forgotten to call FFA 23 a Saxon unit in some of their own documents and in papers and books.

In orders and letters to the Saxons they did NOT forget to call FFA 23 a SAXON unit. During the creation of own Saxon units in 1917 the Prussians told the Saxons how many units should be created new as Saxon units. As well the Prussians told the Saxons they would have already three Saxon units (FFA 23, 24 and 29) which were created by 3. K.S. Kompanie of Flg.Batl. 1 in August 1914.

In fact the whole argument about Prussian, Bavarian, Saxon and Württemberg units was silly and only damaging the organisation of the German Air Force.

VBR
Rammjaeger

[rammjaeger]

Gunnar,

11. December 1915 the local paper in Großenhain reported Hauptmann Brandt (to my knowledge Brandt genannt Flender because he was called so in another report) got the EK I for his earlier service on the front. Now he was leader of the Beobachter-Kurs.
Later in November 1916 I have a Hauptmann Thiemig as leader of the (meanwhile) Beobachter-Schule. So I think Brandt had another job then.

VBR
Rammjaeger

[Immo_Frese]

Hello Thorsten, Gunnar & Rammjäger,

Friedrich Eugen von Brandt gen. Flender was born on 25 Jun 1881 in Konstanz. He left the Luftstreitkräfte after the war as Major a.D.

I lost his track in 1941 when he was still alive...

Immo