Really?! Only one good photo of Lt Erwin Boehme

Rittm · 4 August 2010, 03:59 PM

Hello there,

I am working on the graphic novel project (aka comic book) about Jagdgeschwader I and I am attempting to get details for each historical character's uniform, so I have been looking at the pictures and making comparisons with the merger books that I have. I found only one picture of Erwin. Hmmm, I thought to myself, perhaps I should go check online to see if there are other pictures of him. I found the same formal picture that I have. No other!

So is there really only one photo of Lt Erwin Boehme?!?!

Has anyone seen more than one photo of him? Email me or message me, please.

Rittm

Gregvan · 5 August 2010, 10:07 AM

Dear Rittm,

No, these aren't online sources, but you might check these books for other photos of Erwin Boehme. Of course, Boehme was never a member of JG I, but he did pay several visits to Richthofen at Jasta 11.

Jasta Boelcke: The History of Jasta 2, 1916-1918 by Norman Franks, Grub Street, 2004.

The Imperial German Eagles in World War I, Their Postcards and Pictures Vol. I by Lance Bronnenkant, Schiffer, 2006.

Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany in WWI and the Men Who Earned Them, the Aviation Awards of Eight German States and the Free Cities by Neal O'Connor, Schiffer, 2002, has a color reproduction of the original painting of Erwin Boehme by Professor Hans Kohlschein, the brother-in-law to one of Erwin's brothers.

The Illustrated Red Baron by Peter Kilduff.

Jagdstaffel 2 'Boelcke' Richthofen's Mentor Aviation Elite Units No. 26, Osprey, 2007, by some idiot.

In addition, past issues of "Over the Front" Journal have featured many articles based on translations from Boehme's book, with many wonderful photos of Boehme and his family, as well as another color reproduction of the Kohlschein painting. The translations were done by Doug Fant, with learned commentary by Dr-Ing. Niedermeyer, an expert on Boehme.

Rittm · 5 August 2010, 11:28 AM

Let's see, some of those books I have....

The Illustrated Red Baron by Peter Kilduff. - No new picture of Erwin. Funny picture of Boelcke looking a bit intoxicated with a bunch of others

- lots of great pictures in the book.

Don't own Jasta Boelcke book....

Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany in WWI and the Men Who Earned Them, the Aviation Awards of Eight German States and the Free Cities by Neal O'Connor, Schiffer, 2002, has a color reproduction of the original painting of Erwin Boehme by Professor Hans Kohlschein, the brother-in-law to one of Erwin's brothers.

Did not know about the painting..... That could be really useful! I'll put the painters name into a search to see what comes up along with the book titles... (Okay just looked up the painting.... it is based upon the photo that I have. Argh!)

By the way, speaking of books, I ordered and received the Hans Hinsch book and it looks promising. It's in German so I have started the arduous task of translating it, but we shall see how far i get.

Thanks,
Rittm

redintheskies · 5 August 2010, 09:58 PM

lt. bohme is 2nd from the right. just found this on google images. it came from this website, dedicated to him. Böhme

Rittm · 6 August 2010, 12:00 PM

Thanks Redintheskies,

I have seen both of those pictures somewhere recently in a book..... hmmm. Maybe I can find them with better resolution. I don't think Erwin Boehme was listed as being in the photo, so I will look for those. It's kinda interesting, if you look at both photos, it almost looks like it may have been taken on the same day. Of course, he may have had only one flight suit....

Rittm

redintheskies · 6 August 2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rittm

Thanks Redintheskies,

I have seen both of those pictures somewhere recently in a book..... hmmm. Maybe I can find them with better resolution. I don't think Erwin Boehme was listed as being in the photo, so I will look for those. It's kinda interesting, if you look at both photos, it almost looks like it may have been taken on the same day. Of course, he may have had only one flight suit....

Rittm

it's possible. there should be a few more out there, but sadly, there isn't much. i like the other picture on the website i put, the 1 with his observer.

Bulldog90 · 8 August 2010, 11:13 AM

Well you're correct there's only one really good portrait image, the one used in his Sanke card, but there are other pics taken in the field. I'm an artist too and visually Boehme always struck me as older (which he was) and stockier than his squadron mates. You may want to pick up a copy of Norman Frank's Under the Guns of the German Aces series. One of the three volumes deals with Boehme. (about ten bucks online). Occasionally I've seen a copy of Boehme's letters, which were published postumously, comes available on e bay so keep an eye out for that too. Its in german, which I don't read, but includes images. Greg's right of course, Boehme never flew with JG1, but I get the impression he was a welcome visitor who stopped by every now and then.

Bulldog90

redintheskies · 8 August 2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog90

Well you're correct there's only one really good portrait image, the one used in his Sanke card, but there are other pics taken in the field. I'm an artist too and visually Boehme always struck me as older (which he was) and stockier than his squadron mates. You may want to pick up a copy of Norman Frank's Under the Guns of the German Aces series. One of the three volumes deals with Boehme. (about ten bucks online). Occasionally I've seen a copy of Boehme's letters, which were published postumously, comes available on e bay so keep an eye out for that too. Its in german, which I don't read, but includes images. Greg's right of course, Boehme never flew with JG1, but I get the impression he was a welcome visitor who stopped by every now and then.

Bulldog90

many of his letters (that i've read) actually praise many of his comrades, tell of his adventures and talk about odds and ends. i've always liked how he described everybody. it's too bad his letters were not widely published. i would LOVE to read all of them.

Bulldog90 · 9 August 2010, 02:49 PM

I saw one listed on e bay this morning. Maybe somebody will translate them one day.

Rittm · 9 August 2010, 05:31 PM

Hi everyone,

Just so you know, I am very well aware that Erwin did not fly with JG1, but the story that I am working on starts with Manfred's experiences with Jasta 2 and Erwin was a well liked person in that flying group. I have already done research on Oswald Boelcke's uniform, which was much easier to do since there are a lot of good photos of him.

As for Erwin Boehme's letters - are they published under any specific title? I think it would be worth getting an item like that. I am playing around with the idea of translating the Hans Hinsch book. I have already discovered that he was a member of a group called Wandervogel - which from what I can tell was some sort of back to nature group. I can't tell whether it was a political ideology or just something for good health. I almost had the impression that there may have been more than one of these type of groups.

Rittm