Germans Niedermaier and Spannhake

I have some photos from a relative who was in a German Air Unit. Several photos are of a funeral and grave of:
Leutnant Rudolf Niedermaier
Vizefeldwebel (Sergent Major) Wilhelm Spannhake

The tomestone is a big, marble one. Date of death is 6 IX 1915

Also on the the stone is "Bayfuss", which I think is a regiment.

Any idea of who they are, what unit, etc.

Other photos show what looks like officiers with Iron Crosses and medal of 2 diamonds touching. Looks like <><>, except placed diagonally.

More photos are of crashed German planes, captured French aircraft and aerial photographs of the trenches.

Thanks in advance for your help
-cfarmer

[Rick]

cfarmer,

Welcome to the Aerodrome Forum. Niedermaier and Spannhake were members of Feld Flieger Abteilung 6b (the b for Bavarian). They were KIA at Hervilly by Albert. Do you have a scanner? The other photos you mention sound very interesting. R.

[Gregvan]

Hello Cfarmer,

First of all, welcome to the forum. You'll find there is an international membership of experts here, many of whom know far more than I do about your queries. However, here's what I can come up with.

The two unfortunates who were buried together were indeed Leutnant Rudolf Niedermaier (spelled Niedermeyer in other records), an observer, and his pilot Vizefeldwebel Wilhelm "Willy" Spannhake. They flew in Flieger Abteilung 1b, or a Bavarian two-seater unit. The records compiled by Forumite Rick Duiven agree that Niedermeyer did die on 6 September 1915, at Hervilly by Albert. Pilot Spannhake was severely injured/wounded on the 6th -also at Hervilly - and died on the 7th at Péronne. Obviously they were the crew of a two-seater that crashed at Hervilly on the 6th, with Spannhake expiring the next day, probably in hospital.

Niedermeyer/Niedermaier was born on 8 March 1893 at Regensburg. Spannhake was born exactly six months later, on 8 September 1893, at Varden.

The "Bayfuss" you mention is almost certainly a reference to one of the fellow's former regiment. The "Bay" indicates Bavarian, and "Fuss" probably indicates a Fuss-Artillerie Regiment or something like that. Again, there are some here that can add far more.

I'm no medals expert, but as far as the medal with two 'diamonds' touching; does it look like two white diamonds (or squares) on a dark background, inside a silver oval ? It sounds a lot like a Prussian observer's badge, which was worn by observers once they qualified. The white 'diamonds' are actually part of a black and white quartering (like a checkerboard or chessboard) which was associated with the Hohenzollern coat of arms, Prussia, etc.

Hope that's of interest. Undoubtedly some on this forum can add more or correct my information. Is there any chance of your being able to post some of the photos, especially the personnel and crashed and captured aircraft? Then we could tell you more!!

Greg VanWyngarden

[Gregvan]

Hi Again,

Thought you might beat me to it, Rick! . I said Flieger Abteilung 1b because that's what it says in CotGAS, but now that you say Feld Flieger Abt. 6b, I stand corrected!!

Cfarmer, Rick is one of those REAL experts I was talking about.

Greg

[Immo_Frese]

Originally posted by cfarmer@Aug 2 2004, 04:20 AM
[b] Also on the the stone is "Bayfuss", which I think is a regiment.

Hello cfarmer,

Bayfuss is an abreviation for Königlich-Bayerisches Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr.1 vacant Bothmer.

Lt. Niedermayer was a member of this Regiment before he joined the Fliegertruppe.

Immo

[Rick]

Greg,

Sometimes the fumble fingers just fumble and don't type. You are correct the unit is indeed FFA 1b. Sorry about that cfarmer. R.

[fliegertruppe]

Hello,
I have information about the crash Niedermayer - Spannhake but it's in German languish.

LVG C.II 275/15
Bei einem Probeflug stürzt die Besatzung Vzfw. Willi Spannhake (F) und Ltn Rudolf Niedermayer (B) bei Hervilly ab. Ltn. Niedermeyer stirbt in den Flammen. Vzfw. Spannhake wird schwer verwundet. Infolge Absturz wird Vizefeldwebel Spannhake mit schweren Brandverletzungen ins Kriegslazarett I.bay.AK überwiesen und stirbt dort um 2.10 Uhr nachts(Kriegstammrolle 17966/120)

Aus dem Kriegstagebuch der bayer. Feldflieger-Abteilung 1:
6.9.15. „ Nach 6 Uhr nachmittags startete Vzfw. Spannhake mit Lt. Niedermayer zu einem Probeflug mit L.V.G. 275. Kurz nach dem Start stürzt das Flugzeug aus 50 m Höhe - vermutlich falsche Einstellung der Zündung - in einer Kurve ab und gerät in Brand. Vzfw. Spannhake wird schwer verletzt herausgeschleudert, Lt. Niedermayer verbrennt im Flugzeug.“
(OP 59383 Niedermayer)

Who can translate this in english?

Reinhard

[Immo_Frese]

Here is the translation of the reports given by Reinhard:

"The crew of L.V.G. C.II 275/15, Vfw.Willi Spannhake (pilot) and Lt. Rudolf Niedermayer ( observer ) crashed during a practice flight near Hervilly. Lt.Niedermayer died in the flames. Vfw.Spannhake was severely wounded by flames and was brought to the hospital of the 1.bavarian Armycorps where he died of his wounds at 2.10 am in the night."

___

From the War Diary of bFFA 1:
6.9.16: "Vfw.Spannhake and Lt.Niedermayer took off for a practice flight after 6.00 pm in the afternoon with L.V.G. 275 when the plane crashed shortly after take off in a curve from a height of 50 meters, probably due to a malfunction of the ignition system. The crashed plane caught fire immediately. Vfw.Spannhake was thrown out of the cockpit and was badly wounded. Lt.Niedermayer died in the flames."

Immo

[Gregvan]

Wow, is this a great forum, or what??

Thanks, Immo and Reinhard!

Greg

Incredible! This is a wonderful forum. Thank you all for your posts. Interesting that these two flyers got a big marble tombstone. I guess this was early in the war and the dead had yet to accumulate.

The relative whom owned the photo album was from Bavaria. I think he was ground crew based upon how he is dressed.

I will try and scan some photos of the aircraft. Many are crashed. There is one dramatic photo of a German plane in a tree. There are a few photos of captured French planes.

It may take me a while but when I get them scanned I will post here.

Where is Hervilly by Albert? My map has Péronne east of Amiens.

Regards,
cfarmer