Soderbaum

Hi Matt Except the awards mentioned above he also received Fz.Abz on 04.12.1913 (should been replaced later on by the Err.Abz), EKII, EKI, RKr Löwe IIKl mit Schw, Öst MVKr III. I dont knew regulations for wearing awards during WW2, but when the Err.Abz was instituted it was forbidden the wear earlier normal flying badge. The earlier badge should actually be "left back" to the authorities and if you was awarded the ErrAbz you could only wear this. Gunnar

Hi Daniel, I refer to Gotthard Ammon. In his file there are no notes on any Hohenzollern award. He had a very short front line servicing time so any Hohx award is "impossible", also his EKI award is probably from 1919. The awards given in his file are : EKII, EKI, Meckl.V.Kr, Sächs.Albr.Kr, Baltenkreuz, ErrAbz, Silb.vwAbz. Dont knew if the Sächs. Alb.Kr was given out during 1919 Gunnar

Hi Matty He was a member of FFA 52 when he was brought down on 04.03.1915. The award info from his BAMA file differs from "your" list. I do think Hohenzollern should instead be Sächsiche Albrecht Kreuz and vwAbz should be in silber. After the War he lead an Freikorps aviation unit. Gunnar

Hi Dave, No direct hits, I have an Lt dR x Eichler (O) in FFA 23 (an famous unit) during summer 1916. I also have an Lt x Eichler in FAA 283 during summer 1917 but in both cases w/o known first names. It exist an BAMA file for an later Hptm dR zV Kurt Eichler born 08.04.1891 but I havent checked that file. It also exist non-military files in Berlin for Dr Kurt Eichler born 18.02.1893 and Kurt Eichler born 31.03.1895. In some cases these Berlin files could contain valuable military info like KRLs, Lebenslauf and similar but most of them are just civilian. Gunnar

Thanks again Dave, Yes I have access to ancestry.de so I could read his file there with his early career during the War. His later career I have from some other sources but I lack his complete War service. In my files I have a bunch of flyers born in Greiz who might be candidates for Reuss awards. Gunnar

Interesting info Dave ! After leaving Grufl 10 stab Schilbach ended up as leader of Grubist 135 during 1918. He apparently served with KG 4/19 (new Kasta 19) during spring 1917. This unit was renamed from Kasta-Sosta 2 on 01.01.1917. Is there indication in your records that he served in Sosta 2 during autumn of 1916 after leaving FFA 9 ? I am also interested if it exist an approximate date for his aerial victory. Gunnar

Hi I have that the pilot Oblt Prinz Heinrich XLII Reuss, received something called REK3 mit Schw on 17.9.1914 and R.Kv.K.I on 6.4.1918, but he was only a flyer during 1916. His photo differs from the photo posted by Matty, so not him. And he apparently did not receive either vwAbz or ErrAbz. Gunnar

Hi Chris The basic rule to get access to these Files is that you "must" visit the archive i Freiburg, then order the file and lastly order copies of that file. In some rare cases I have heard of they have made exception to this rule and have accepted that you order copies via mail/e-mail. I knew that the US military government in Washington have made copies of some of these files called NARA files, but I dont knew how to search there. Some files contains only a single small paper of like a transfer from WW2 or economic info etc. Others could be goldmines regarding info with hundred of pages The file number for this Oblt dR aD Franz Hocker is PERS 6/191585. I have no idea if it is a goldmine or trash. Gunnar Oh, I forgot to mention that it works like two or three researchers on Daily basis there, similar like "private investigator". I have seen them throughout the Years but I dont have their names. Probably you can get their contact info via the staff in the Archive. These people can do the job for you but they probably take some fee for it.. Gunnar

Hi A long-shot, but it existed an Franz Hocker who ended up as Oblt dR aD during WW2. Born 23.12.1893. He have an BAMA file, maybe your man ? Gunnar

Hi Steve If you have access to ancestry.de you can find good info on Gustav Brockhoff among Chroniken der Marine Besatzungen and a family tree. Here some short added info. He was not Leutnant der MI, instead he started as Seekadett 010413, Fähn zS 030414,Vzfeuerw 280515,Lt dR MA 160316 (Reutlingen). Some awards: EKII 041016,LFAbz 191016,BMVO4 201216,EKI 181017,Bulg.Tapf.Orden 040418,EisHalbmond x He was born 15.06.1895 Sayn-Neuwied, Coblenz and served through WW2 as Major dR. During his flying career in WW1 he served within the following flying units: MLFA J-thal, FEA 7, SFS A-see, Js 8, MFFA II, MFJ I, SFS Xanthi, Js 25, and lastly as leader of MFJ III. There is no confirmation in German records that his claim on 08.05.1918 at Pervyse was confirmed so he apparently ended up with 4 victories. Gunnar

Hi I have some info regarding his WW1 awards. EKII 23.06.1915 Wald.Offz.Verdienstkreuz 22.08.1915 Fz.Abz 05.12.1916 EKI 08.07.1919, got it after returning from captivity VerwAbz no date given

Very nice item Alex ! Do you happen to knew when Martin Jahre joined LFS Barge ? I assume late 1918. Gunnar

Hi Matt I dont have a first name but he was promoted Lt dR on 31.10.1917 (I Hamburg). I dont knew if the award rolls for HHK still exists but he is probably there. The first note I have him in FA 33 is in July 1917. Gunnar

Hi Prussian, you probably noted that I wrote "I do think" but also Thorsten Pietsch on his website writes : This info is from Thorsten's site: Heldmann, Aloys * 02.12.1895 Grevenbrück + 01.11.1983 Grevenbrück The MWB confirms his Bezirk as Siegen and Grevenbrück lies within this area. His birth certificate is not on ancestry.de. To check his BAMA file would rather certain confirm "my theory" about his birthplace Gunnar

Hi I do think his birthplace should be given as Grevenbrück, Siegen. Promoted Lt dR 080817 (Siegen). He have an personal in BAMA Freiburg which I havent checked yet which might give lots of added info.. Gunnar

Hi again I also think that the group photo also includes officers from FFA 57, just discovered that this unit did not left Süd Army until the first Days of January 1916. Gunnar

Hi Was not FA 427 and Artillerie-Flieger Staffel 101 the same unit ? Gunnar

Hi Matt I dont have any Vogel in my FFA 54 list, but I dont have all names. Vogel is apparently neither one of the still unsolved signatures on the plate, but those left before Wilberg left are not there. Gera is a town near the Sachsen border. It is possible that Vogel is an photographer working in Gera. Sorry cant help in this case. Gunnar

Hi Matt Interesting group photo indeed ! If we can give an approximate date to the photo it would be easier to identify some further flyers in the photo. some thoughts: Quade did join FFA 54 in mid Dec 1915 so the photo is possible taken after that date. My guess it might Christmas 1915. 35 flyers are on the photo where one face is unseen. At that date Stofl Süd also consisted of FFA 59 and apparently an A-H Flik, anyone knew which Flik ? Some "rather well known" flyers including later Aces ought to be identified due other often published photos. It apparently exists other photos for von Hünerbein, Alfons Nagler, Hans Hinsen, Daum, Schleiff, Max Pollandt, Wolfgang Zorer, all from FFA 54. From FFA 59 these flyers should exist on other photos: Sonnenburg(later General), Fahlbusch and Rosencranz(both later Aces), Hans-Max Lohmann(the commander), Leo Leonhardy (the Iron commander and later PlM holder), Victor Stresemann (the Saxon) and eventually the later Ace Alois Heldmann. For Rudolf Mothes who wrote a book about his War experiences I havent seen any photos. I am no photo collector, but only remember seen photos from different sources. Gunnar

Hi again I am not good reading signatures so you might need an reading "expert" for the last unsolved names. However I have rather good unit rosters for the units involved, but not complete. Here are some more "guesses", number 7 might be Rittm Voelkel who was a long timer within FFA 54, number 25 is probably Lt dR Fritz Imhausen, number 33 might be Lt Bodo Frhr von Lyncker and number 39 might be Ott. Maybe someone else could solve the last signatures ? Gunnar

Hi Some names that I am so far rather certain of, left side: number 2 = Braune, number 6 = Hptm dL Thiesing, number 9 = Lt dR Armin Löw, number 15 = Landwüst, number 16 = Lt Richard Kuhna, number 17 = Lt Fritz Schuster, von Kusel should be Lt Kurt von Kessel, right side: number 21 = probably Schleiff, number 27 = Lt Oskar von Lorne von St. Ange, number 28 = Hans Eick is also the name of his file in Stuttgart, number 29 = Schlemmer, number 30 = Lt Walter Mussäus, number 31 = von Münster, number 32 = Preiß, number 35 = von Blankenburg, number 36 = Dahm, number 40 = Wilhelm von Karstedt. Some of the others should be able to solve but maybe need better close up for some. As you see a mix of flyers from FFA 54, AFA 220, Stofl Süd and AFP Süd. And thanks for providing all these photos of high quality ! Gunnar

Hi again When looking further on that plate I am "now" convinced it have officers from both FFA 54 and AFA/FAA 220. When Wilberg left the command of Stofl Süd late May 1916 to take command of Stofl Mackensen the "Army" only had two flying units. When AFA 220 was formed early 1916 it had four a/c and six officers. From the original officers I have five names but one was captured in April 1916. The four others officers from AFA 220 are all apparently on that plate, Hptm Walter Braune, Lt Wilhelm von Münster, Lt dR Alfred Preiß and Lt dR Emil Schlemmer. Gunnar

Hi Dave Lt Arndt is probably named Dietrich and named in the loss lists, eventually he have an file in Berlin Lt Burgdorff is a new name for me, it existed an Obstlt Heinrich Burgdorf born 1881 who served in the Luftwaffe, but different spelling and rather old.. Lt Hans-Heinrich von Foerster from IR 24 did later became an leader of an Bomber-unit. Reimund is a new name for me and tricky to find. Germann Unger from IR 67 with two n in first name is often mis-spelled, he later became an General in Luftwaffe. Gunnar

Very interesting plate Matt ! I can probably identify at least 10 more names on the plate, but I dont have Regiment for all. It seems basically officers from FFA 54 except Anslinger and Paul Pertermann with an unknown rank and maybe one more.(possible ROAs) It might have been a gift to the Stofl Süd, Hptm Wilberg for his service in that position as period fits. He later became an General. Unfortunate i cannot make the picture bigger so can you cut out all the rest of the names as you have done with those identified ? Gunnar

Hi Dave Danner wrote : I'm not sure about an Oldenburg connection, but the other officer has the Friedrich-August-Kreuz 1.Klasse, so maybe the Fliegerabteilung received some Oldenburg awards. FFA 54/FA 24 was part of Süd Army from start 1915 until late 1917. Maybe some Oldenburg Regimenten served within this Army ? some short comments: Gustav Meyer became Meyer-Spelbrink in mid 1920s and still hold that name during WW2, maybe changed his name a second time to Meyer zu Spelbrink after WW2.. Langhoff might be Oblt Georg Langhoff from IR 42 but I dont have him within this unit. Oblt Hans Bergling was from IR 168. Eicke might be the Württemberger Lt or Lt dR Hans Eick from IR 127 who was captured in the autumn of 1916. Franz Schleiff, the later Ace came from FAR 73, also PlM candidate. I have Oblt Herbert Sonnenburg from FAR 46 at AFP Süd and stab Kofl Süd but not within FFA 54, maybe a visitor ? Gunnar