A "Bavarian" pilot...

[Soderbaum]

Hi

Uffz x Walther was probably a Bavarian pilot, at least he served in FFA 5b during 1916. While serving in this unit he was probably attached to KEK III of the 6 German Army...

He was also succesful and was able to score at least three victories, one of them on 18 Jun 16...

I am interested to find more information about him, like possible first name, servicing information and dates for his other victories...!?


Gunnar

[fliegertruppe]

Gunnar,

I find in a dokument following information:
2. Juli 1916
Unteroffizier Walter A.O.K.-Abteilung 5 wurde im Luftkampf durch 2 Streifschüsse am Arm und Fuß leicht verwundet. Notverband wurde ihm am Fluglatz angelegt, worauf Walter wieder zu seinem Flughafen startete.
(1.bay.Reserve Division Bund 47)

Gruß
Reinhard

[Rick]

Could this possibly be the Vzfw. Reinhard Walt(h)er who was reported MIA (POW) on 20Jul16 ?? R.

[Soderbaum]

Great hints from both of you...

I "now" realize that Uffz Reinhard Walter/Walther probably was a member of FFA 5....
I also knew that when he was captured he was attached to KEK I*.

I have some problems "placing" some flyers from 1916 within the correct unit , as FFA 5 and FFA 5b both were located within the same Army (near each other)....

Walters victory on 18 Jun 16 was recorded as his 2nd. And I have that one un-identified pilot attached to KEK I, did shot down an e/a 9 Jul 16. ...this could possible explain his third victory....?

And does anyone knew when Walter scored his first victory...?

*KEK I of 6 Army was a temporary "unit" with fighter pilots from the Saxon FFA 24 and FFA 5...



Gunnar

[Rick]

Gunnar, just to add to the confusion, I have Vzfw. Walter with an unconfirmed on 29Feb16 (credited to Vzfw. Wäss of FFA 3), and another unconfirmed on 16May16 (credited to Vzfw. Barth of FFA 18). That leaves him with two confirmed: 18Jun16 and 9Jul16. However, I'll be quick to point out that this is really Frank Olynyk's area, and I will defer to his expertize. R.

[Frank_Olynyk]

I have Uffz. Walther's first victory as on Feb 29, 1916, stritig/disputed with Gefr. Erwin Howe, also of ffa 5b. I have no other victories on this date; in particular nothing by Wäss. His second victory is June 18, and it would have been stritig with Immelmann if he had survived. His third is on July 9. These are based on 6. Armee files in Munich, which I have not seen but were reviewed by Dr. Gustav and/or Winfried Bock.

Frank.

[Soderbaum]

Thanks Rick and Frank for interesting but a bit conflicting information...

For 29 Feb 16 the HB (Heeresberichte) reported 3 e/a shot down. Only one of these was reported to be British (the British also only had "one" loss)...
This e/a was reported to fell at Menin within German hold lines in the area of the 4 Army. Most sources I have credit this victory to a Vfw Wass or Wäss from FFA 3, a unit stationed within 4 Army. However it is possible that fighter a/c from the 6 Army could have slipped over the "border" to participate in this fight....!?

As for Howe, I have him also as a member of FFA 5 (probably taken from one of Imries books)...
Howes first name is often given as Hans but Erwin could be correct to.... Any possible source for "this" first name...?
It is also possible that it existed two different Howe, but I doubt that...

If any of Howe or Walter/Walther actually belonged to FFA 5b, their personal files ought to found in the archive in München.....this is probably a question for Reinhard to clear out...!


Gunnar

[patrickmallahan]

Frank,

My database offers this for the only British loss on 29 February 1916:The crew of Newbold and Champion, 20 Squadron, was FTL near Menin and several sources credit Vzw Wäss with his first victory. Sources are cited as follows for any who want to check them. The shorthand will not baffle you, I'm sure. OTF 3/1/45*; C&C(GB) 4/1/32,14/2/61(a/c pic); C&C(US) 22/3/253*, 26/1/38; H.S. Ward, An Erratic Odyssey, p.34-6; Cox, p. 147; Rogers, p. 230, (a/c Illus.); CCI 35/2/93 (a/c dwg); Franks, Sharks, p. 58-9, a/c pic;

Patrick