Kampfstaffel T

Soderbaum · 30 December 1999, 07:38 AM

Hi all and a Happy New Year-Millenium !!

I have just reread the book about the German Ace Heinrich Gontermann who had 39 confirmed Victories according to the German system.

After his pilot training at FEA Altenburg Gontermann was send to Kampfstaffel T where T stands for Tergnier. This occured probably in the beginning of August 1916.

He mentioned that the commander was Hptm B. and consisted of 6 aircrafts. They had have some hard losses and had lost 2 pilots and 2 observers within five days..

Does anyone new how and when this unit was formed ..? and who is Hptm. B ?

I have a note from a German source that it was probably operational around mid 1916..

Any hints or sugestion or additional information is welcome...

VBR
Gunnar

rammjaeger · 30 December 1999, 09:32 AM

Hi Gunnar,

O´Connor Vol.III about the Saxon Awards has a photograph on page 64 with the following text:

"Kampfstaffel "T", complete with musicians, holds a beer party on the Somme in the summer of 1916. The officers of the unit are seated behind the table and in four chairs to the left. Leutnant Friedrich von Hesler who recieved the Knight´s Cross of the Military St. Henry Order on December 23, 1914 is the tall man seated behind the table at the left. The other man behind the table is probably the unit´s Commanding Officer, Hauptmann Bernhardt. Seated in a chair second from the left is the later 39-victory Pour le Mérite ace, Heinrich Gontermann. The non-comissioned officer pilot standing with his elbow resting on von Hesler´s shoulder is Hans Ruppert. Things were never this informal in the British Flying Corps."
Sorry, the people on the photograph are very little, a scan of my copy will bring nothing (only white and dark dots).

VBR

Hannes

Soderbaum · 2 January 2000, 12:42 AM

Interesting info Hannes.

I have ordered O´Connors book so I will have it soon.

But I wonder how it is possible for Lt Friedrich von Hesler to be on the photo...!

According to the good article of FA 300 in Over The Front Vol 13/1, he was serving in this unit in Sinai from April 1916 until Oct 1916 when he went to Kasta T(?).

During his stay in FA 300 Friedrich von Hesler scored 3 confirmed Victories as an observer to Lt Walter von Bulow(the latee PlM holder) and he most certain recieved some Turkish decorations.

If the photo was taken in Summer 1916 it cant be the same person..

I have an earlier note in this Forum from you Hannes, that the v Hesler existed in Doublepack, so do Yoy have any idea which can explain this..?

If Friedrich has an unknown brother, it would be interesting to hear something about him ?

Very Best Regards

Gunnar

rammjaeger · 2 January 2000, 08:15 AM

I was not aware of the length of Friedrich von Heslers service in Palestine but we have at least the following possibilities for a solution:

a) O´Connor could have a wrong date for the photograph,
B) Friedrich came earlier back from Palestine than October,
B) the man on the photograph is not Friedrich Wilhelm but his brother, the observer Carl Albert (the third brother - Wilhelm Robert - was not a flier). At least it is a really tall guy.

I am waiting since some time for a reply letter of Mr. von Hesler, the son of Carl Albert, because he wrote that his uncle von Haebler was killed by the handgranade of a British soldier after forced landing.

I guess I will now write a letter with "Happy New Year" and ask him again and additional about the time of this photo.

VBR

Hannes