Question on German Air Combat Reports

[NOSFERATU]

During the war, how did the German pilots complete their combat reports?

Did they use a form or format or did they start with a blank sheet of paper to fill out a combat report?

Does anyone have a photo of what either would look like. I would like to see what a typical German Pilot air combat report would look like.

I have seen a photo of something that is supposed to be MVR's last air combat report but since it is in English...well I am thinking exactly what anyone else would think about that.

Did MVR speak any English?

Thanks for any help.

[Raineranton]

Originally Posted by NOSFERATU

During the war, how did the German pilots complete their combat reports?

Did they use a form or format or did they start with a blank sheet of paper to fill out a combat report?

Does anyone have a photo of what either would look like. I would like to see what a typical German Pilot air combat report would look like.

Thanks for any help.

Hi Nosferatu,

it was a blank sheet. See enclosed picture of the combat report of Ernst Udets Abschuss of a DH9 on 26 September 1918.

From: Ernst Udet - Mein Fliegerleben.

Regards

Rainer

[NOSFERATU]

Originally Posted by Raineranton

Hi Nosferatu,

it was a blank sheet. See enclosed picture of the combat report of Ernst Udets Abschuss of a DH9 on 26 September 1918.

From: Ernst Udet - Mein Fliegerleben.

Regards

Rainer

Thanks,

Very much appreciated.

That is exactly what I was looking for. The information that people on this forum have is unbelievable.

Would you or anyone else know if there is an english version of Mein Fliegerleben?

[Gregvan]

Hi,

Yes, there are two English versions of "Mein Fliegerleben".

The first was Ace of the Black Cross, translated by Kenneth Kirkness and published in London in 1937.

Far more easily found is Ace of the Iron Cross, translated by Richard K. Riehn and published by Doubleday in 1970. This version has also been widely reprinted in at least two paperback versions, one from Arco. You can find it quite easily through used-book sites, and it turns up on ebay fairly often. I highly recommend it.

There are also reprinted facsimiles of several German combat reports (by Richthofen, Udet and Goering) in Bodenschatz' Jagd in Flanderns Himmel. This was translated into English by Jan Hazlett and published under the title Hunting with Richthofen from Grub Street. Check it out.