German Ace(?) Waldhausen

Do any of you have any information on this pilot? Ideally, I need a photograph, and to determine if he was shot down by Mick Mannock.

I have very little to work with, only an account by a No. 8 squadron pilot taking about this incident.

Any dates and details are most welcome. Waldhausen did survive the war. I am just frightfully lacking on any German sources in my growing library.

Cheers ya'll,
Scarlett

[rammjaeger]

Scarlett,

Hans Waldhausen wrote a book "Mit entfalteten und beschnittenen Flügeln", Bund der Jagdflieger, Berlin 1924. I think it was later renamed (?) in "Sieg und Sturz", Bernard & Gräfe, Berlin 1939.

Sadly, I do not own this book but maybe anybody can give you some info about the book or Waldhausen´s downing.

VBR
Rammjaeger

You might also check the back issues of Cross and Cockade. Waldhausen lived into the 60's and wrote quite a lengthy and heartfelt letter rearding the derogatory and casual use of the word "Hun" in the journal. It was very interesting. Wish I could remember exact issue. My collection is in storage. There is a picture with the article.

Holck

[Graeme]

Scarlett

Waldhausen was brought down on 27 September 1917 and Mannock submitted no claim on this date. It would appear that he was most likely brought down by a combination of Flt Cdr C D Booker and Flt Sub-Lt J H Thompson of No 8 Squadron RNAS and Lt J H Tudhope of No 40 Squadron RFC.

Waldhausen had six victories, three of them on the day he was shot down:

a Strutter on 19 September, a Martinsyde on 24 September, a ballooon on 25 September and two balloons and an RE8 on 27 September.

Graeme

[StephenLawson]

I concure.

Oblt. Hans Waldhausen, victories 6 from JsSch I 26 July 1917 to Jasta 37. Was brought down on 27 Sept. Oblt. Hans Waldhausen is taken POW at 18.25 hours in Albatros D.V 2284/17 at Souchez.

[Graeme]

Scarlett

From RFC Communique number 107 (under the date of September 28):

"On the evening of the 27th an Albatros scout which brought down one of our balloons was attacked and shot down in our lines by Flt Cdr C D Booker, 8 Squadron RNAS, and 2nd Lt J H Tudhope, 40 Squadron. The EA pilot was slightly wounded and taken prisoner."

I'm sure I've got some further details tucked away somewhere here. I'll have a dig around and post anything I find.

Graeme

[Graeme]

Scarlett

On 27 September, Waldhausen attacked No 20 Section's balloon south-west of Aix-Noulette and set fire to it with his first burst. Three of No 40 Squadron's Nieuports (Mannock, Tudhope and ?) went up to intercept the Albatros but Mannock suffered engine trouble and was unable to keep up.

While lining up on No 10 Section's balloon, Waldhausen was attacked by an RE8 which he shot down into Farbus Wood. Abandoning his attack on the balloon, Waldhausen flew on to Ablain St Nazaire where he set fire to the balloon operated by No 37 Section, firing upon the Section's CO, Lieutenant Thomas Kennie, as he descended beneath his parachute.

As he fired upon Kennie, Waldhausen was in turn attacked by Tudhope, who fired a long burst into the Albatros. As Tudhope disengaged, the attack was continued by Booker, Thompson and Fowler. Booker managed only a short burst before his engine was crippled by ground fire, forcing him to land. Booker whipped the wheels off of his Camel on the lip of a shell crater and as he crawled clear he was met by Mannock who had landed close by to check on the safety of the Camel pilot.

Despite Tudhope being the only pilot to do more than fire a few rounds, the victory was shared between the two units (as per the RFC Communique). Waldhausen was taken prisoner by a Canadian ammunition detail; Kennie was uninjured.

So, while Mannock was there, he had no direct involvement in Waldhausen's capture.

Graeme

[Barrett]

I remember the C&C article by and about Waldhausen. 50 years later he was still cranky at the way his captors smacked him around. Subsequently he became a judge, IIRC>

[Graeme]

I think it is in the book "Balloonatics" by Goderic Hodges where it is mentioned that after checking on Booker's health, Mannock went to where Waldhausen's Albatros had come down and was just in time to prevent the pilot being lynched by the Canadian troops who were upset that had machine-gunned Kennie on his way down.

Graeme

All excellent, excellent stuff, ya'll, you've all been very helpful! It also helps sort out the claim that Mick "stole" this victory. That doesn't seem the case here.

I will try and determine that C&C issue. Meanwhile, if one of your turn it up, Scarlett would be most grateful

Cheers,
Scarlett