Austrian Observer's Photo Diary

[varifleman]

Here are several photos from the war diary of Austro-Hungarian Captain (Hauptmann) Ernst August von Mandelsloh who served on the Russian and Balkan fronts. Any additional information/comments are welcomed

[varifleman]

Here are several photos from the war diary of Austro-Hungarian Captain (Hauptmann) Ernst August von Mandelsloh who served on the Russian and Balkan fronts. Any additional information/comments are welcomed

I've added a few more photos for your perusal or comment.

[Varese2002]

Thanks varifleman for viewing your 1914-15 A-H pictures. I think they may be very interesting for experts in the Austro-hungarian aviation war.

Kees

[Ritterton]

These are amazing. Thanks for sharing them. Wow, what a collection.

[ramram]

Great item. How many pages of material is there? Would enjoy seeing more.

Rob M.

[varifleman]

Great item. How many pages of material is there? Would enjoy seeing more.

Rob M.

Rob, I have two of von Mandelsloh diaries with about 60 or so pages of photos and maps; I'll post some more photos soon. Thanks

[Fliegermann]

Was there any written commentary to accompany the photos? This is really fascinating material.

[varifleman]

Was there any written commentary to accompany the photos? This is really fascinating material.

Fliegermann: Thanks for your interest. I'll post more photos (he also made some very interesting photos of Serbia and Montenegro (Belgrade after occupation, captured Serbian artillery, wrecked munitions train and railway station etc) with comments. Glad these photos are of interest to the forum. My Grandfather served in the KuK Markgraf von Baden IR No. 23 before emigrating to the US in 1913 but still reported to the KuK Consulate in Cleveland Ohio in 1915 for possible mobilization!!. I have his Militaerpass and will also post photos of it

[gustav_novak]

Hallo,

beautiful pieces!!!!! Thank you for posting...
I am ready to help, but probably during weekend.

At the first glance I can only recognize that hydroplane at Kotor. And some names of the places nowadays located near the Slovak/Polish/Ukrainian borders...For example Dunajec...
That time in Galizien...

Will need some time (deadlines), but is there any number of FliK mentioned?

Mirko

[gustav_novak]

Tempting...

Just briefly some first pieces:

E A Frh v Mandelsloh - 2 May 1915
Kmdt- Oblt, of FliK 15,
Flugfeld (airfield) Brzesko in West Galizien,
under kuk 4 Army,
Austrian Alb B I., Nos 23.XX

(source K Meindl)

[gustav_novak]

FliK 15

Aug - Oct 1914 -- Activated Wiener Neustadt
Nov 1914 - 18 June 1915 -- Russian Front - one victory
End June 1915 - Dec 1915 -- Serbian Front - one victory
Jan 1916 -- Montenegro
Feb 1916 -- Albanian Front
Mid March 1916 - Oct 1918 -- S Tirol Front - 9 victories
Disbanded in St Jakob bei Bozen (Bolzano)

Seems to be reccon unit...

(source P Grosz)

GN

[Fliegermann]

To follow up on Mirko's information. Ludwig Hautzmayer (who will beome an ace before war's end) was assigned to Flik 15 at Brzesko as an Officer Observer and technical officer. During his time with Flik 15 the squadron was heavily involved in the German/ KuK offensive of May 1915 under the command of Generalfeldmarschall von Mackensen. This offensive drove the Russians from Galicia. It indicates that Flik 15 was used in observation. In the Fall of 1915 Flik 15 was active in the campaign in Serbia. (source Dr. Martin O'Connor.) I have not been able to trace Flik 15 in 1916-1917, but as Mirko points out there last assignment was as a photo recon group with 11.Army in Italy.
David

[varifleman]

Thanks to Fliegermann and Gustav for their very interesting information. I've added several more photos for your enjoyment and comment. Commentary for the photos as follows:
1- Russian trench system bombarded by all Austro-Hungarian calibers Skala November 1914
2- Siedelska (left part of photo), w=Dunajec defense Golanka; i=Main Russian infantry position an the Dunajec (south of Tuchow)
3-b.) Old Austrian Batteries in the Olszawki-Forest south of Tarnow
4- 15 Flik (Officers)
5- Aerodrome at Okocim (now in Poland, located about 3 km (2 mi) from Brzesko, approximately 27 km (17 mi) south-west of Tarnów and 57 km (35 mi) east of the regional capital Kraków).

[varifleman]

A few more photos
1- Machine (acft) takes off
2- New Austrian Combat Albatross
3- Shell craters, results of 42-mm shells on Tarnow railway station (rebuilt by the Russians out of necessity)
4-The shell crater b.1 in front of the platform
5- Jaroslau railway station destroyed by the Russians.

[levizadnji]

Very nice diary and fotos!
Seeing Okocim, just for info, there is one book about Okocim airfield!
Adamczyk, Janusz "Brzesko-Okocim - Lotnicza baza najjaśniejszego pana"
and also some info in polish web site
____________WITAMY W BRZESKU____________ (http://www.brzesko.pl/index.php?strona=lotnisko)

[varifleman]

Seaplane in first series of photos is Nr M31 Lohrer powered by 100 HP Mercedes engine. Also thanks to levizadnij for the additional information.

[levizadnji]

In pictures of the airfield you can see, standard AH hangar tents (because of unclear pictures, i cannot identify manufactors and i also dont have datas from Flik 15 and their inventory). Ill just list that this tents are product from either Elsinger, Cassel or Klinger manufator.
Generally each Flik had to transport with it tents to the front (by train or trucks). Tents were design in that way to be fastlly build or assembled. wooden structure and canvas covering (that was waterproof). All these was with lines attached to the ground. These work was done mostly by soldiers of the Flik. Tents proved to be useless in harsh enviroment; damp, wind easy destroyed structure of tent and interior - aeroplane. considering typ of door (just a cover of canvas) there was also problems of entering winds, humidity and dust into interior of the tent.
Usually Flik members were alsosleeping inside of the tent.
Information that i gave is probablly known and i also imagine that my comments are not needed.
Diary and Pictures that you posses are "just" from Balkan and Galician front?

[Fliegermann]

Levizadnji, welcome to the Aerrodrome Forum and I find your information most helpful please do not hesitate to provide anything that adds to the research.
I think that the airplane in the photo labled "Der Apparat verlasst dem Boden" (aircraft takes off) is a Lohner B.II Series 12 Type C powered by an 85 hp Hiero with a maximum speed of 125 km an hr (78mph). Records indicate it was used by Fliks 8, 10 and 15 on the Russian front. (Grosz, Haddow, Schiemer)

[dirtyshirt]

Good evening,

"Information that i gave is probablly known and i also imagine that my comments are not needed".

The information that you give, levizadnji, and your interpretation is most welcome and needed to provide balance to a debate which can become too overly concentrated on the Western Front scheme of things. It is much appreciated.

With regards,
Mike.

[gustav_novak]

Servus,

While briefly checking some secondary sources related to FliK 15, I found following names and numbers of planes.

Russian Front
- pilots Lt.i.d.R. Josef Bratmann, Zgsf Ferdinand Junker
- beos Lt.i.d.R. Paul Lord, Oblt Reusser – all POW
- Albatros B.I 23.03

During fall 1915, FliK 15 was stationed at Ujvidék (Novi Sad) airfield. The Bavanište airstrip is also mentioned, but I could not quickly distinguish, which FliK was based there (Nos 6, 9, or 15).
- Oblt Ludwig Hautzmayer, Oblt Wilhelm Schreiber, Oblt Milorad Tarabochia (observers);
- pilots Oblt Béla von Losonczy, Hans (?) Greiner,
- Albatros (Kn) B. I (23.09), Lohner B. VII (17.15), unknown Lloyd C. I.


@ varifleman
Are any numbers visible at the fuselages of the aeroplanes?
What about names of pilots (Feld pilot, Flugzeugführer) or observers (Beobachter) mentioned?

@ levizadnji
Do not forget our silent friends – the mighty A/H horses ;-))

All the best

Mirko

[levizadnji]

just to add about Ludwig Hautzmayer - he got his Feldpilotabzeihen on 5. february 1916 (designated from Infanterie Regiment 7 and from Flek 6)
and in march 1918 he was commander of Flik 61 J in Motta as Oblt.
(Steiner: Feldpilotenabzeihen and Luftfahrtabzeihen)

[gustav_novak]

Good jump!

Good old J C Steiner. Completely forgot...

The list of Fp seems to be complete, but how one can overcome the lack of information on the listed at FleKs or not completed list of other flying personnel?:wacko:

GN

[levizadnji]

the problem of Steiners books or list is also that not all pilots that served in LFT didnt get abzeihen. So the list of all pilots cannot be complet if you look at just one type of source (like Steiner did).
Ok, there is also not listed other personal - work that can be upgraded (but only if original sources make it possible)!

[varifleman]

Thanks to all who have added such valuable information. As soon as my old digital camera is back in operation I'll post more photos. Hi-lights include Major Stohanzl (found reference to him with 6 Armee Korps at Vittorio, Italy) speaking with Gen-Col Kovoess and Maj Bruxelles (?) by what looks like an Austrian-built Albatross D-III, two recon photo Trasse sued. Stanictal and Stanictal-Slanic Hoehe 2400 m, Datum 21.V.1917 Beobachter Oblt. Schuff (not found in Jan Safarik's listing); recon photo taken by FLIK 36 on 24.VIII.17 of Csik-Sereda (Csik-Szereda) (formerly in Hungary, now Romania) Observer name difficult to decipher and another recon photo taken on 23.6.1917 by observer Oblt Medinger (1 victory, Observer FLIK 44 per Safarik) and Pilot Kirol Balzareno (1 victory) of (placename hard to decipher (?Dorunauestir E. Str?) at 1900 m by (?acft) No. 97 of Flik 44. Any help with the placenames and surnames appreciated.

[gustav_novak]

Korpl Karl Balcareno - Feldpilot badge, FliK 44 - 8 September 1917

Obl Karl Stohanzl - Feldpilot badge (FJI) - 1 March 1913
as the Hptm - 20 January 1917, Karl´s Fp badge

As of 28 March 1918 Hptm KS was serving as the Kommandant of air force under/with 4 A.K. (Armeekommando) at Vittorio (the exact structure should be more clarified, not an expert on the kuk Army).

FliK 36 still based at Czik Szerada(?) in March 1918.

Luftfahrer - Abzeichen (Flugzeugbeobachter):
Oblt Josef Schuff - June 1917
Oblt i.d.R. Robert Medinger - September 1917

Hope it helps a bit...

Mirko

[varifleman]

Thanks to all who have added such valuable information. As soon as my old digital camera is back in operation I'll post more photos. Hi-lights include Major Stohanzl (found reference to him with 6 Armee Korps at Vittorio, Italy) speaking with Gen-Col Kovoess and Maj Bruxelles (?) by what looks like an Austrian-built Albatross D-III, two recon photo Trasse sued. Stanictal and Stanictal-Slanic Hoehe 2400 m, Datum 21.V.1917 Beobachter Oblt. Schuff (not found in Jan Safarik's listing); recon photo taken by FLIK 36 on 24.VIII.17 of Csik-Sereda (Csik-Szereda) (formerly in Hungary, now Romania) Observer name difficult to decipher and another recon photo taken on 23.6.1917 by observer Oblt Medinger (1 victory, Observer FLIK 44 per Safarik) and Pilot Kirol Balzareno (1 victory) of (placename hard to decipher (?Dorunauestir E. Str?) at 1900 m by (?acft) No. 97 of Flik 44. Any help with the placenames and surnames appreciated.

Photos added

[varifleman]

Photos added

More photos added.

[gustav_novak]

Hi,

some names seems to be in the Romanian - located in Romania or Transylvania...

I read them as Darmanešti or Slanictal

A few Darmanešti in the teritorry of current Romania could be found and Slanictal you can probably find under Slanic...

A/H military maps could be found here:
III. katonai felmeres (http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/digkonyv/topo/3felmeres.htm)


The problem with places/names in A/H is that under A/H - as the multinational state, several names for one place could be used according to the ethnic or cultural background...

The fortress is probably in Ivangorod, Russia. But not a bunker fan...
Little bit far away???

Mirko

[gustav_novak]

The fortress shown on the picture is in Ivangorod, nowadays Dęblin in Poland.

Mirko

[levizadnji]

just to add about Karl Stohanzl!
he was from FJB 5;
in november 1911 he was commander of aviation training course in Gorica (Goerz) - Slovenia/Italy!
At that time he was oberleutnant.

Regarding that AH aviation went throught a few changes during first world war i ll just add to function of Kommandant der Luftstreitkrafte. (that KS had in 1918)
This function was similar to laission officer - so attached to each army there was also Kommandat der Lufstreikrafte and he was responsible for all aviation units attached to each army!
Good luck!

[varifleman]

Thanks to Mirko and Levizadnji for their valuable contributions. I'm lad that Von Mandelsloh's photos have elicited such a wealth of information. Cheers