German Ace Paul Ehrhardt?

[rammjaeger]

I did just accidently read in Supf vol. 2 that Paul G. Ehrhardt did construct a MG firing over the propellor circle (like Nieuport and other Allied machines) when he flew with BAM/Kagohl 2. It is claimed he achieved 5 victories with this construction.

Did anybody ever hear about his combat achievements in WWI before?

BTW I know his pre-war and later merites in the filed of airplane construction.
No advices necessary there.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Hannes,
Paul Ehrhardt does not appear on the list published in Flugsport in 1919, so cannot be an ace. I have a single claim, uncredited, by a Ltn. Ehrhardt of ffla 25 as pilot, on Oct 4, 1915 at 1100 hours 3 km S of Tahure; his observer was a Ltn. Bernert who I believe is the future ace Otto Bernert. Type claimed not stated. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same Ehrhardt. Does anyone have service details for Paul Ehrhardt?

There is also a Vfw. Alfred Ehrhardt with 2 victories with Jasta 32b in 1918, but obviously cannot be the Ltn. Ehrhardt of 1915.

Frank.

[rammjaeger]

Frank,

Supf reported the following for Ehrhardt (many persons have this name in Germany):
February 1915: FEA 6 Großenhain,
later AFPin Gent,
FFA 40 in Ghistelles (pilot for Köhl!),
promotion to Offizierstellvertreter,
FFA 60 in the Argonnen (allegedly in cooperation with THE Obltn. Rommel),
Fall 1915: BAM/Kagohl 2,
later LVG and Kondor-Werke.

[Soderbaum]

hi both...

Interesting information, which lead me to a hypothese that it actual might be one and same person...

The Battle of Champagne started in late Sep 1915, and the situation become critical for the limited Air Force within 3 German Army. So if I remember correct a big group of about 40 flyers from 5 Arme under the "command" of the famous Hptm Leo Leonhardy from FFA 25 were sent to help...
Many flyers came from FFA 25, but maybe 5 other units also sent flyers...

The problem here that is rather certain that neither Ehrhardt or Bernert came from FFA 25. It is also certain that both FFA 60 and FFA 71 particpated with personal (and Bernert from FFA 71 was temporary there)
....so maybe typo in the original source....?

*it also interesting which decision the authorites would had made if we have a team of two flyers from two separate units claiming a victory temporary attached to a third unit...

Hannes, do you really mean that the commander of FFA 60 was the later famous Erwin Rommel...???


Gunnar

[tcrean7828]

Originally Posted by rammjaeger

I did just accidently read in Supf vol. 2 that Paul G. Ehrhardt did construct a MG firing over the propellor circle (like Nieuport and other Allied machines) when he flew with BAM/Kagohl 2. It is claimed he achieved 5 victories with this construction.

Did anybody ever hear about his combat achievements in WWI before?

BTW I know his pre-war and later merites in the filed of airplane construction.
No advices necessary there.

rammjaeger,

Just as a side note:

Ltn Bernert is posed with Werner Voss as they both received the PLM together, and both are pictured with Jasta 2 pilots.

Ltn Bernert also became the CO of Jasta 2, after Hptm Walz as Fuhrer (leader) of Jasta 2 was transfered to Jasta 34 at his own request and Werner Voss was transferred to Jasta 5, with Ltn Rolf Fr von Lersner being quickly moved away from Jasta 2 and back to a bomber unit due to a personnel matter.

cul

tcrean7828

tom

[rammjaeger]

No Gunnar,

Rommel was not in air service - the aviation unit worked for or co-operated with an infantry unit under Rommels command - at least that is the claim in the book.

Sadly, they have a number of errors or misreports in Supf´s work but it is cheaper to buy this source than to try to collect or buy Flugsport etc.

tcrean7828,

you are missing the topic once more.

[FOKKERJ]

Hi Rammjaeger,
I know it's not what you were looking for, but I thought it might be of interest. I found this while cruising e-bay.

NOTE: "Erhardt" on fuselage side.
It appears to be post war, I don't know! I wish it was a sharper image.

Regards, FOKKERJ

P.S. Erhardt might be a common name. I have only known one family by that name, a very close friend at one time.

[rammjaeger]

Thank you FOKKERJ,

it is an interesting pictures - sadly, a bit too pale and the name is hard to read for me. "My" Eberhardt was also doing transfer flights and worked as an engineer. This could also explain this scene on the photograph - but that is still speculation.

[PFFF]

Of Interest-
See "Over the Front" magazine Volume 14/Number 3/Fall 1999/.p.279
has photograph of German Bomber B.128/15 taken in almost same position
of photograph appearing here. Seems to have been a popular postion for
photographs!