Guynemer and his thirty-sixth victim.

[Jos]

Hello,

I found this picture and text in “The Illustrated War News” of 23 May, 1917. Alas, the name of the German pilot isn’t mentioned. I tried to find out what his name could be. Guynemer downed his 36th victim on 14 April 1917.
In Jon Guttman’s Groupe de Combat 12 “Les Cicognes” you can read that on this day he downed an Albatros in flames near La Neuvillette at 10.30 hrs, killing Uffz. Karl Abelmann and Ltn. Heinrich Schönberg of Fl. Abt. (A) 254. So it can’t be one of them.

I dug a little deeper and found that Guynemer downed a Roland DII on 16 March 1917. The pilot, Ltn. Rudolf Lothar Arndt Freiherr von Hausen was wounded and taken prisoner. Afterwards, Guynemer had a lively discussion with von Hausen in the field hospital near St. Nicolas-de-Port. Von Hausen died on 15 May of complications from bleeding and tetanus. He was buried with military honours at Choly, near Toul.

If the picture shows Von Hausen, it would be Guynemers thirty-second victim.

Maybe someone has more info.

Jos

[Froggy]

Bonsoir

here ou will find several photos of the Roland DII of Von Hausen
downed at Hoéville on 16 march 1917

http://jmpicquart.pagesperso-orange.fr/Guynemer.htm

Cordialement
Bruno

[Gregvan]

Thanks for posting this interesting photo. It was one of several taken on this occasion. I doubt that the pilot in the photo is von Hausen, though. It doesn't look like him, and he doesn't seem to be wounded in any way, certainly not seriously like von Hausen was.

Greg

[Froggy]

Bonjour

I have another photo taken same moment
I doubt that he was Von Hausen with a deep wound at the leg..


Cordialement
Bruno

[Jos]

Greg and Bruno,

Thanks for your input, and Bruno thanks for the photo. I didn’t know von Hausen was wounded in his leg. I think you both are right. This pilot doesn’t look wounded at all.
But I’m getting more and more curious what the name of this German pilot could be.
Maybe this victory could match. In Guynemer, the ace of aces by Jacques Mortane (translated by Clifton Harby Levy) I read that Guynemer on 26 January managed to bluff an Albatros CVII of Fl. Abt. (A)266 into a landing at Monchy. That was a great performance, because Guynemer’s machine gun would not fire. “I admit, when I told my prisoners that I could not have done anything to hurt them, and that they really had me at their mercy, the expression on their faces amused us immensely.”
Alas, nowhere are the names of the crew mentioned. Maybe these pictures show one of the crewmembers.

Bruno, do you have more info??


Jos

[Lodzermensch]

Hello Jos,

You are probably right. Three photographs showing Gynemer speaking with the German flier – including the one you posted here - were published in the Icare revue de l’aviation française issue devoted Guynemer. According to the caption, the German is one of two crew members captured on 26 January 1917 with their Albatros thanks to the bluff of Guynemer.

Regards

Marek

[Froggy]

Bonjour Jos et Marek

If 26 January 1917 is the correct date,The crew belonged to Fliegerabteilung 266 (Artillerie)-but the names of the crew is unknown
Fliegerabteilung 266 (Artillerie)
Source:Faswc and 'Carré d'as ' de Jacques Mortane

(Marek Is this the Icare special N° 43 - 1967 ?- I don't find the caption of the photo where it is said that the event took place in 26 january 1917?-)

Cordialement
Bruno

[Lodzermensch]

Originally Posted by Froggy

Bonjour Jos et Marek

...

(Marek Is this the Icare special N° 43 - 1967 ?- I don't find the caption of the photo where it is said that the event took place in 26 january 1917?-)

Cordialement
Bruno

Bonjour Bruno,

I meant the issue from 1987, page 105.

Regards

Marek

[Froggy]

Ok marek
I did'nt know that there was another numero special Guynemer
May be i'ill try to find this 1987 issue

Cordialement
Bruno