Flugzeugobermatrose Zeidler I Marine Feldjasta

[Regulus]

Hi,

Looking for more information on this man who had to do a forced landing in the Netherlands in the week of the 4th till 10th April 1918, plus exactly when this happened.

Thanks and best from Regulus

[Rick]

Regulus,

I have him as Paul Zeidler and only that he was FTL and interned on 2Apr18. I did not have in MFJ I, thanks. R.

[Soderbaum]

Hi Regulus

I have Zeidler as a Fz.Mtr(Flugzeugmatrose) and that he was a member of MFJ II(marine Jasta) when interned on 3 April 1918...

However he could have been recently promoted.. :-/

He did join MFJ II on 31 March 1918 from Küsta III. It was during a test flight(alone) with an Halb CL II from MFJ I that he lost his way and landed in Holland.

The Halb CL II had the serial 14252/17 with a Mercedes 160 ps 35594.
He landed at Aardenburg, Zeeland. The a/c was later given Dutch serial H415.

:
Gunnar

[Regulus]

Thanks Rick and Gunnar !

I knew about the Dutch serial of a Halberstadt CL II and now I have the identification also. Great !

The Wochenberichte Kofl M states his as an Obermatrose.

Is it correct that he flew with MFJ II but was flying a machine from MFJ I as I understand it ?
Because he is listed as lost and his unit as MFJ I ???

Thanks and best from Regulus

[Soderbaum]

Hi again

Yes, Zeidler was a member of MFJ II and by some reason "borrowed" an a/c from MFJ I while doing his training flight...

Also the monthly loss list of Marine flying personal lossed in April 1918, which was published in mid May 1918 has Zeidler as Fz.Mtr.....

8)
Gunnar

[Regulus]

Hi Gunnar,

Curious thing. He still could be Ob.Matr. as he is mentioned that way in one document. Perhaps indeed a promotion that came just days before his death ?
Well it's just a small mystery for once !
Not what we're sometimes used to.

Best from Regulus