MvR's Escadrille Photo and ID help

[gldnbrew]

New here, but I am amazed at the magnitude of the knowledge, OK enough buttering up, to my Question.

I am doing some research for a friend, because he has dial-up. He has this group photo (attached) that was in his grandfathers stuff and he has no clue why. I have searched for hours and I can not find any information of the Germans being in Witry - les - Reims, in April 1918 (close, but not in). What is partialy written on the back is:
"Picture of the famous
Escadrille of Baron von Richtoffen
----hind him on his left
at Witry - les - Reims
Avril 1918
This picture had to be taken just before or just after the death of the Red Baron. Any information anyone can provide any names of who is in the photo, is appreciated or where the photo could of been taken. I have included the photo, along with some blow-ups. I do know that the man in the middle with the long coat with the fur collar, is Crown Prince Wilhelm. The writing on the back is in English. My friend is doing family history and his relatives are German, but they were all over in the states before the war. His likely relatives could be Curth, Rieger, Supper, Karcher, Eickhoff.

Thanks,
Paul

[frontflieger]

Welcome here!

I am sure we will be able to identify this group of men! Though I do not think that it was to do with von Richthofen! His Jagdgeschwader stayed in the Amiens-aera and you say this picture was taken in the Reims-aerea - therefor the Crownprince is included.

Let's see, what we can do :)

Thorsten

[Biber]

Kinda looks like von Schleich in the heavy overcoat.

B

[gldnbrew]

Thats what I had originally thought, but I was told I was wrong on another site. That was before I found this one. Three other people said it was defiantly The Crown Prince. I have been able to put him (The Prince) in that area, at about that time.

Paul

[frontflieger]

Hi,

I think the image may show FFA 22 or FA A 261! Have a look at this thread. I think the man in the middle of the forth image is Egon Graf von Beroldingen (http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/30664-rittm-egon-graf-v-beroldingen.html).

Thorsten

[frontflieger]

... can you read the number on the arm?

http://www.frontflieger.de/fflgfoto/2-ffa022_frage.jpg

[gldnbrew]

Thorsten,

Followed your link, it could be him , a little older and a little more weight. Hair line is similar. Couldn't read the story, Sorry "Niche spreken zie Deutsch" Excuse the spelling, if it is wrong. Though of German Heritage, I don't speak it.

Paul

[Cliff]

I checked Wikipedia for Crown Prince Wilhelm.
William, German Crown Prince - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm,_German_Crown_Prince)

The guy in the fur coat could be him.

Cliff

[Buddecke]

Hello Paul,
can you send a better scan to my email adress, because I can not identify anyone.

Thanks

Buddecke :apickel:

[frontflieger]

Thorsten,

Followed your link, it could be him , a little older and a little more weight. Hair line is similar. Couldn't read the story, Sorry "Niche spreken zie Deutsch" Excuse the spelling, if it is wrong. Though of German Heritage, I don't speak it.

Paul

No problem, Paul, the text is not at all relevant for our problem. Graf Beroldingen was the president of a sports club in Stuttgart in the 1920'ties... (VfB Stuttgart, nowadays the forth-biggest in Germany).

Thorsten

[StephenLawson]

I checked Wikipedia for Crown Prince Wilhelm.
William, German Crown Prince - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm,_German_Crown_Prince)

The guy in the fur coat could be him.

Cliff

Yes it is the Crown Prince Wilhelm. The death's head insignia is on his service cap.