Connecting FLA's and BZ's to proper Regiment/Division

[stephen]

I'm making some progress (slowly) on my German balloon work, determining the locations of various FLA units on the Meuse-Argonne front. I've located an old map which, according to prisoner of war testimonies, establishes the exact location of various German regiments in the area that I'm studying. I also have mostly-complete German records showing which BZ's were active in the same region.

Now, in order to precisely determine the position of each BZ which I know was in the region, I need to find a way to connect each BZ to the regiment under which it operated. This may not be possible because BZ's and FLA's may have been assigned only at the divisional level, meaning that I am searching for a BZ-regimental connection which does not exist.

But at the moment its the only trail I have, so I'm following it. So my question to my fellow Forumites is... (drum roll, please)...

Can you help me determine which regiment these BZ's worked with, or can you demonstrate that such a connection never existed and I'm wasting my time? Thanks!

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Stephen:
The Ballon Zug (Bz) were assigned at Division level. The FLA were assigned at Corps level and the subordinate Bz to a division in that Army Corp. Stephen, Battery Press, Nashville, TN has an excellent book entitled, "Handbook of German Military and Naval Aviation 1918" ISBN 1-870423-52-6 that would be most useful to you. I would not be without this volume.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[stephen]

Very good. Thanks, Dan. I was afraid that BZ's would be assigned at the divisional level, thus crippling my ability to pinpoint their locations. Still, I've got enough material to start putting things together, and I'll be sure to get the book you recommended.

[stephen]

Can anyone tell me how many BZ's (or FLA) were assigned to each German division?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Stephen:
Each German Division in line would have one Ballonzug assigned. each Ballonzug would have two balloons, one inflated and one in reserve. In some a Armee Korp would have two divisions would in some situations a Ballonzug would have the reserve balloon inflated and have balloons positioned at the left and right Korp borders and one in the center.
I have somewhere in my "files" a list of Ballonzug emplacements. It will take time to find it. What armies are you interested in knowing the Ballonzug assignments. I believe what I have is a U.S.Army intelligence data.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[stephen]

Dan-San, that would be GREATLY appreciated. I am working on all the German Armees who faced the Americans in the Meuse-Argonne. That includes the 5th, 19th and Armee Detachment C, in addition to two Austrian units on the Meuse-Argonne front at that time (I can get you the exact units if you have anything on them). Again, the BZ emplacements would help me with a problem I've been working on for years and I would truly appreciate it if you can find it. If its lengthy I'll cover copying or mailing costs. Thanks!

So it appears that each German division would have one BZ assigned to it, with one inflated and one (generally) held in reserve. The Germans had around 45 divisions in the Meuse, meaning they had about 90 balloons there of the nearly 200 they had on the entire western front. Sound right to you?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Stephen:
I have some bad news, I cannot find my Bz listings, I spent several hours yesterday looking through files, and I came up zero! Sorry Stephen.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[stephen]

Thanks for trying; I appreciate the effort. If you can remember who you got them from, perhaps I can try to contact them for copies of my own? Its pretty important to my work. Any leads would be helpful.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Stephen:
From the AF Museum Library, Dayton.
blue skies,
Dan-San