Fritz Otto Bernert

Regulus · 17 July 2002, 01:09 PM

Hi,

I'm looking for more information concerning the Army carreer of

Fritz Otto Bernert. For example does anyone know when he started service in Infanterie Regiment 173 ? Also what unit did he serve in as an observer before becoming a pilot at Jasta 4 ? I'm trying to help with some information for his family.

Thanks and best from Regulus

Rick · 17 July 2002, 01:58 PM

Hans,

My data on Bernert's early aviation career is pretty sketchy, and I can't help with his Infantry join date, but this is what I have:

FFA 27 Feb15 - Jul15
FFA 71 Jul15 - Nov15
KEK Metz Nov15 - Mar16
KEK Vaux Mar16 - 1Sep16
Jasta 4 1Sep16 - 23Feb17
Jasta 2 23Feb17 - 30Apr17
Jasta 6 C.O. 30Apr17 - 9Jun17
Jasta 2 C.O. 9Jun17 - 18Aug17 WIA
Idflieg 18Aug17 - 18Oct18 + i.Kr.

(I told you it was ratty) R.

frontflieger · 17 July 2002, 10:18 PM

His father was major of his hometown RATIBOR (which is now in Poland)

Frank_Olynyk · 17 July 2002, 11:42 PM

The 1913 Rangliste has exactly one Bernert listed in the index, who is noted as serving in 9. Lothringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 173. *The entry lists him as a Lt., gives a date of 18.8.12, followed by F3f, and then followed by a 12. *I cannot find an explanation for F3f (although I note that the format is typically Xnx, for some one or two digit number n, and the same letter X and x), for the 12 (or other number). *The Ehrenrangliste notes him in the same unit, but transferring from infantry to aviation, serving as Obltn, and his date of death.

Frank.

Regulus · 18 July 2002, 12:51 AM

Rick, Thorsten and Frank,

Thank you very much for this information. I will be able to make some people happy I think.

Best from Regulus

frontflieger · 18 July 2002, 02:03 AM

9. Lothringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr.173 Avold, III Metz 31.3.1897 XVI Armee Korps

Regulus · 18 July 2002, 02:43 AM

Thanks ! the jigsaw pieces fit more and more together. *Anyone know where Ratibor can be found nowadays ? *Dit it change name in Poland ?

Best from Regulus

frontflieger · 18 July 2002, 04:34 AM

Ratibor (Nowadays Racibórz) in Upper Silesia (don't know, if Poland still uses those ancient names for the regions!

Just, try www.google.com with the old and the new name of the city... and tell me, in case you find his grave

Soderbaum · 18 July 2002, 07:05 AM

Hi

According to some notes I have Bernert served as observer within FFA 27 and FFA 71(The Crown Prince squadron)..

Also, I have a note that Bernert left around Jan 1916 for nearly a half Year of pilot training...

In summer 1916 he presumely returned to FFA 71 and was attached to KEK Metz which mostly consisted of pilots from FFA 71.

The Somme battle was probably the reason for his transfer to FFA 23 and the attachment to KEK Vaux..

Gunnar