Sonderfilme in Palestine

Intrepid · 5 August 2007, 02:04 PM

90 years ago today.......

Ltn. Franz Schleiff and Obltn. Werner Daum landed at 0510 hours in Rumpler C.1 2628/16 east of Hod Salmana to blow up military installations.

They were driven off by machine gun and rifle fire and received 17 hits in the aircraft. They were able to take off and found two alternative sites that were as equally well guarded so they aborted the mission arriving back at Huj at 0730 hours.

The Empire forces had been on the guard since the two successful Sonderfilme missions flown earlier that year by the "sportsman" Obltn. Gerhard Felmy and Obltn. Richard Falke.

Later this month I will explain why they were called the "sportsman" by the Australians.

Marlon Schultz

Gregvan · 5 August 2007, 05:35 PM

Hi Marlon,

Thanks so much for these periodic installments. I love them. Fascinating to be remined that Franz Schleiff had some pretty amazing adventures in Palestine before be became an ace with Jagdstaffeln 41 and 56. For those of you who don't know, Schleiff scored twelve victories but was severely wounded on 27 March 1918, and lost his left hand.

Greg

Intrepid · 6 August 2007, 11:28 AM

Thanks for your kind words Greg.

Thanks also for coming up with 90 years ago today theme.

I believe Schleiff was shorted on his June 29 1917 victory in "Above the Lines"

This victory is unconfirmed according to the book, yet this victory is noted in the Nachrichtenblatt 27 Sept 1917.

Don't forget the 28 victory ace Ltn. Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp also served with FA300 and scored two confirmed and one unconfirmed victories in Palestine.