homepage Forums Air Combat & Civil Aviation Wings: Over Flanders Fields DiD Centenary Challenge

Helmut von Hammer
Jasta 4, JG 1.
Marcke, Flamders.


Aug 24, 1917.

Another down day. The transports with the fuel arrived,but the Weather is moving in. Heavy Rain is expected.

Fullofit, Stljeffbb -- really great stories here. I'm following each eagerly. And thanks to you, Banjoman, Robert, MFair, Carrick, and Bigduke66 for encouraging my madness. I actually have an idea for a WW1 novel when I retire. There's one plot element that still needs time to percolate.

Anyway, you've inspired me to write another chapter of Holzhauer's story, even though he can't fly...

The Holzhauer Papers

Part 2: 24-25 April 1917



I awoke after surgery to a soft pink and blue light coming through stained glass windows. The walls were plaster and stained with age, or perhaps simply mold. It was a church, but war had turned it into a Lazarett. Two nursing sisters, true nuns, strutted past the bottom of my bed chatting in French. Their starched linen cornets projected like wings, and I thought they looked like a pair of old Tauben on a reconnaissance patrol. The thought crossed my mind that I would like to draw some black Tatzenkreuze [1] on the wings of their cornets. Now that would raise a stir in the convent!

There was a high carved pulpit along one long wall, and the high altar was screened off. A row of iron beds ran along the length of the nave. The fellow next to me on the right coughed. I glanced over. He was reading a book, Der Waldläufer, by Karl May.[2] “Grüss Gott,” he said. A Bavarian.

“And say hi to Him for me when you see Him, Kamerad,” I replied. [3] They say you can tell a Berliner anywhere. We chatted for a while. He’d been shot in the left knee and they’d taken off most of the leg. He was weak and complained about reading the same page again and again.

A passing nun agreed to a request to get my tunic. My case of Wolff’s cigars was in it. She said I could not smoke until I was well enough to go outside, but got the tunic anyway. Someone had stolen the case.

They did not allow me to sit up for the first day. It was a lucky wound. I had not been hit by a full bullet, but by a single fragment. If the full round from a machine gun hits you, you’re a mess. It’s called hydrostatic shock. I saw a demonstration once in the Jägers. The sergeant-major lined up a row of large cans of sauerkraut, because a can of sauerkraut has the same density as a soldier (and about the same brainpower, according to the sergeant-major). He fired a quick burst from a Maxim and we were invited to inspect the damage. Each can had a small puncture hole where it was hit. But on the other side of the can the exit hole was ten or more centimetres wide and sauerkraut was spread all over the field.

The fragment that hit me cut the side of my abdomen open like a scalpel. It took twenty stitches, but the cut was clean and none of my personal sauerkraut and sausages escaped. All the doctors wanted was to keep me here long enough to ensure the wound was not septic. So the nuns washed the wound twice daily with a wash they mixed from an orange-coloured powder. [4] A French doctor examined me in the afternoon. His German was unintelligible so he explained in excellent English that I could fly as soon as I could get into my machine without re-opening the stitches. He said I could try to get out of bed in the morning as long as I had someone to help. The fellow on my left, a corporal from Saxony, shared a smuggled flask of brandy with me and I slept well.

I woke late to find that the Bavarian on my right had died in the night. As he no longer needed the Karl May book I took it, checking to ensure there was nothing to suggest it was a gift or belonged to family. The English-speaking doctor returned and watched while an orderly helped me sit up. He directed that the wound should now be heavily taped between inspections and washing and informed me that I would be moved to a ward under canvas outside, as the church was needed for more seriously injured people. I was allowed to gather my things and hobble unassisted across the grass and mud to the encampment of Red Cross-emblazoned tents conveniently located next to the graveyard. The town around us was surprisingly large. “Sedan,” an orderly said. The place had seen some hard fighting in 1914 when I was down in the Vosges playing at soldier.

I claimed a bed and collapsed on top of it. My insides felt upset, as if they were trying too hard to become outsides. There was one orderly who played chess with the patients and I tried to get him to help me prepare for a rematch with Feldwebel Ehms when I get back to the Jasta. He didn’t think much of my game and I have no cigars to bribe him into a second game.

I was able to get a little bit of fish down my throat at lunch and enjoyed a visit afterwards from Hans Freiherr von Brederlow, the boss’s brother and our Jasta’s administration officer. He was very pleasant and brought cigarettes and some of my spare and undamaged clothes, but one could tell he was performing a duty. He had me dictate my combat report from Tuesday’s fight with the Nieuports and left after about thirty minutes. Apparently we have been in action constantly because of the offensive,

Editor’s notes:

[1] Cross pattée, the Maltese Cross of the Luftstreitkräfte.

[2] May was a popular writer of western stories.

[3] Holzhauer is trotting out an old joke. “Grüss Gott” is the usual greeting in Alpine Germany. It derives from the expression for “God bless you” but is heard as a simple hello. Originally it would have been “Grüss dich Gott” [“(may) God bless you”] but in its normally abbreviated form it can be literally translated as “Greet God.” That is why some Northern Germans, especially those with a sardonic Berliner’s sense of humour, might reply with something like “if I see him.” [“Wenn ich Ihr sehe.”]

[4] Likely acriflavine, made from coal tar. It is gaining in use today because it is effective on antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Another splendid read Rain!

Additional info: Acriflavine was developed in 1912 by Paul Ehrlich, a German medical researcher, and was used during the First World War against sleeping sickness and as a topical antiseptic.[2]
Thanks for the education and the good read, Raine! I just learned something!

Edgar Everheart
Auchel

Edgar is the toast of the squadron having down 4 confirmed the past week. 2 DFW's, 1 Albatros DIII, and a balloon. I tried to take my best "Fullofit" screenshots but they still don't measure up.

MFair, none of us can quite do the Fullofit thing with screenies, but those are some really good photos. And that is one really big week. I haven't had a run like that in a very, very long time. Well done!

I thank you Gentlemen, but you are all wrong! I've seen plenty of great screenshots here.
Congrats on the winning streak MFair.
Raine, too bad about the case with the cigars. I would check with Bill Clinton.

26 April,1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

It was a strange decision to send a flight to defend a balloon east of Diksmuide. Surely there must have been a Jasta or two available closer than the "Red Noses". Aldi was still sore about the mismanagement of the resources, which to him were being squandered on patrols such as this. He nearly missed the two 1-1/2 Strutters floating above them. He found it odd for them not to run away, or engage. They stayed there enticing the Schwarm to simply come up and pluck them out of the sky. His instincts told him this was a trap and an obvious one at that. Schwarzkopf scanned the sky and there they were: a flight of seven Pups hiding in the clouds. They must have been very inexperienced to spring the trap too early. Aldi's flight climbed to meet them. The Pups realized they've lost the element of surprise and decided to abort. Only a handful came down to fight. One of them probably has seen a few fights before, as he was able to get on von Bülow's tail. The Schwarm scattered to deal with the attackers. Aldi came to Walter's aid and chased away the "expert" Pup.



He eventually forced him down in NML.




By the time Schwarzkopf climbed back to patrol altitude, everyone except Strähle was gone. The two of them decided to complete the mission and protect the balloon, which survived the initial attack. Near the end of their patrol they encountered one of the Pups returning from a chase after the rest of Aldi's Schwarm. It was not his lucky day. The two German Fliegeren brought the interloper down near the balloon.



With the mission accomplished they've made their way back to the base. They were the only two who made it all the way back. The rest were forced to seek landing fields elsewhere and the balloon crew continued to observe enemy movements.

Fullofit;

You shot down RNAS 3 "Joe" Fall

Those are some great screen shots by Fullofit and MFair

Helmut von Hammer
Jasta 4, JG 1.
Marcke, Flamders.


Aug 25, 1917.

The weather cleared a little ,but we are ankle deep in Mud. Maybe we can fly tomorrow.

I did get into an argument about the future of transportation after dinner. Lt. Sorinkesy thinks that men will have their own wheeled cars to ride in and eclectic stop lights to regulate the traffic of thousands . Keine ! Men will fly.

https://giphy.com/gifs/cheezburger-hair-ouch-fMfgQiPEqxYA/fullscreen

Albert Earl Godfrey

24 Apr 1917 @ 05h07 Balloon attack east of Lens

At briefing CO Scott announced the wind was 6 kn from the WSW with towering scattered cumulus from 3600 to 9000 ft.

The second battle of the Scarpe was underway and efforts were being made all along the line from Bapaume to Lens to cripple the eyes of the German forces. “B” flight, lead by Godfrey and composed of Clinton on wing, Moleswirth, Lloyd, Horn and Pope were to take out the balloon east of Lens. “A” flight was to provide top cover and composed of Fry, Rutherford and Young.

Godfrey noted the bitter cold freezing weather as he started up his N23. The cold front had been moving in for the past 48 hours and he knew it would only get worse at altitude. The only concession was that the mission objective was only 26 miles distant. The flight took off and formed up north of the field as usual, attaining an altitude of 11,000 ft at 05h27 before setting out NE towards Lens. Passing between the towering cumulus, at 05h29 they found themselves just south of Loos and Godfrey had decided to take the flight lower on the approach to the lines. At 05h34 as they crossed the lines, they were at 6,800 ft and decending. The artillery were pounding the German lines and Godfrey noted the huge billows of brown clouds of earth, mixed with the flame of the exploding shells along the front. The flight passed over Lens at 05h37 at 4,800 ft, and Godfrey could just make out the Hun sausage in the distance.
He waggled his wings and began the descent in earnest. There had been no Hun archie to greet them so far and it seemed that they had achieved an element of surprise. Godfrey loosed his rockets at the balloon but missed the target and as he climbed out, he glanced back to see Clinton, Molesworth and Lloyd send a combined volley of rockets which all hit the balloon simultaneously.

He was satisfied that they had achieved the main objective and immediately signaled to reform for the return trip to Filescamp. They quickly reassembled at 3,000 ft and began to climb out west as they approached Lens.
No sooner had they reached the eastern section of the town, when Godfrey noted six specs at about 1,000 ft heading in their direction. “B” flight’s height of 4,300 ft gave them the decisive tactical advantage. Godfrey decided to continue on towards the lines. He reasoned that if they were scouts below looking to play, he would make sure the game started on his side of the lines or not at all. He watched them as he passed over the south west end of Lens and noted that they had clearly decided to come to the party. Godfrey keep his flight on a steady course towards the lines east of Vimy and the enemy scouts were now at the same altitude and approximately 1 mile behind. Godfrey noted that Clinton was not able to keep up with the flight and was gradually falling back. By the time “B” flight reached no mans land, it was evident that Clinton would soon be over taken by the enemy scouts which had now closed the distance and appeared to be about 3000 ft away. Godfrey quickly realized that they had to turn and face the enemy scouts now or Clinton would be done for. Godfrey quickly waggled his wings and swung the flight 180 degrees to face the oncoming Huns. The melee that was soon to unfold was about to provide some much needed diversion for the troops of the line below. Just as “B” flight passed over Clinton, the enemy scouts were making their move to attack. They profile of the scouts quickly identified them as Albatross DIII’s of Jasta 4. Molesworth, Lloyd, Horn and Pope engaged 4 of the DIII’s that dove under “B” flight’s advance, while Godfrey went after the two that broke right in a climb. Clinton swung in behind Godfrey on the chase. Godfrey forced down the closest of the two DIII’s, and then took out after the other, catching him before he was able to make the other side of the lines and then sent him down as well, watching him crash into no mans land.

He and Clinton turned west to rejoin the rest of the flight but only managed to find Horn on the way back to Filescamp. All three landed safely there.
Molesworth and Pope landed shortly there after but Lloyd was lightly wounded in the action and destroyed his craft landing short of the field.

Clinton confirmed both of Godfrey’s claims and Pope accounted for one more. Three of the DIII’s had disengaged and ran back to their side of the lines.

Robert, thanks for identifying Aldi's latest victim. An unfortunate name for a pilot, to be sure.
Great report BTW, I like how you strategize and congrats on the latest victories.

Helmut von Hammer
Jasta 4, JG 1.
Marcke, Flamders.


Aug 26, 1917.

Lt. Mackie was sick on the flight line so I filled in for him in his D-V on a Balloon Defense flight. The D-V felt so roomie after being in my D-III. The 5 of us went up to 2000 meters over the Gas Bags and ran in to 3 Spads. After mush effort , I was in position only to have one e/a drop on my tail. I had to kick rudder and go into a tail spin to drop out of the Circling mess. All alone , I RTB. The flight had 2 a/c damaged for no claims.

27 April, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

Yet another mission to protect a Drachen so far up north. Aldi wasn't sure what was worse, the mission this far away from home, or the muck below his aircraft. Even if the enemy was flying down there, they would not be able to see them in that low cloud layer. His flight arrived on station at 4000 m after a lengthy trip. After 20 minutes of circling over the balloon Schwarzkopf was bored and ready to return to base when eagle-eyed Strähle noticed 2 DH2s flying west below the Schwarm, returning from a mission originating somewhere east of Ghistelles. The Albatrosen turned into hawks and swooped down on the unsuspecting prey. Aldi picked one of them and ordered the rest to take care of the other machine. He maneuvered to place his plane behind the pusher and fired. British pilot reacted instantly and begun circling to port. Aldi took a few deflection shots and hit his foe in the head.




The dead aviator slumped forward leaning on the control column forcing the airplane into a dive, which culminated in a spectacular crash far below. The other Airco also disappeared in the thick cloud layer down below and the group of Albatrosen formed back up over the balloon, completed their patrol and turned for home. The return trip was uneventful and everyone was glad to be back with another successful mission under their belt.

oh this senseless slaughter of a generation...the best that ever walked the face of the planet






posted after 4 beers (german beers)

Don't worry, there's more where that came from ... beers I mean.

Raine, I believe the effect you are describing here is called cavitation - term used in terminal ballistics, not hydrostatic shock. (Not to be confused with the cavitation made by the propeller of a submarine for the Hunt for the Red October fans.)

The concepts are related but not identical. I used "hydrostatic shock" because it was the term I recalled from a firepower demo (involving sauerkraut) that I saw in the army years ago. Technically, cavitation is the creation of a cavity by shock waves in advance of a penetrating high velocity round. Hydrostatic shock more commonly refers to the idea that damage can be caused in areas of the body remote from a bullet path due to shock waves.

Cavitation might be the better term for explaining the size of exit wounds, but I used the term the instructor used when I was a snot-nosed subbie.

Well, we just use the word dead where I come from.

Here is the report of last week's activities.