A Request for Help

fastgit · 31 January 2016, 12:41 PM

It's just come to my attention (literally, just this weekend) that a relation of mine served in the Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte during the First World War.

I've been able to find little information beyond the basics, and would appreciate sincerely any help anyone can provide.

Here's what I have (and I'm fully cognizant of the fact that my German is nearly non-existent) so far:

Ltn.d.R. Ferdinand Islaub was born on 4 April 1895 in Friedrichsdorf, some 20 km (12 mi) north of Frankfurt am Main in Hesse, Germany. He died due to illness (infolge Krankheit) on 12 August 1918 in Frankfurt a.M.

After a little more research, and in my copy of Casualties of the German Air Service: 1914-1918 (Franks, Bailey, and Duiven), I discovered that Ltn.d.R. Islaub was a pilot flying for FEA 9 (an aviator replacement battalion stationed in Hesse).

Additionally, I've found this... Leutnant Islaub was, as of 14.07.1916, a member of Garde-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 6.

raised in September 1914 as Garde-Ersatz-Regiment Nr.1
renamed to Garde-Infanterie-Regiment Nr.6 on 14.07.1915
parent units: Garde-Ersatz-Brigade / Garde-Ersatz-Division

It appears as though he lost his wage book on that date. Sounds a lot like me.

The following site is in German, and has some general info about the unit: http://www.sammlung-merschroth.de/html/flieger_in_griesheim.html"]http://www.sammlung-merschroth.de/ht...griesheim.html

Apparently, this Aviator Replacement Division 9 (FEA 9) was established on 3 March 1915, and remained until the war ended in Griesheim. The focus was on the training of air crew after the training of the observers was transferred to separate observer-schools.

That's it. No specific service information of any kind, just that he was serving in some capacity at the time of his death (perhaps due to influenza?). I know it's not a lot, but I'm hoping one of the scholars here can help me dig up something and shed some light on what has become something of a personal quest.

Thank you, to any who have the opportunity, means, and/or intent to look into this.

Regards,

Chris

VtwinVince · 31 January 2016, 05:47 PM

Hi Chris,

Do you have a photo of Leutnant Islaub? I'm sure some of our German colleagues will be of help with your request. If he was a victim of the flu, it would have been a fairly early case.

fastgit · 1 February 2016, 01:17 PM

Unfortunately, I do not. I've put an "all call" out to family, but I'll not be holding my breath.

ONEALM · 2 February 2016, 05:06 AM

Chris -

I'm away from home for a couple of days, but I'll check the 1918 Rangeliste to see if he appears. It might not reveal anything more than what you've already discovered though, but will give it a shot.

Like the US training training units, there's scarce little on the German side.

A shot in uniform would tell us much - if one turns up. Good luck with that effort !

I'll let you know what I find in the meanwhile.

-Mike

Barry Hickson · 2 February 2016, 02:23 PM

Welcome to the Aerodrome Forum Chris!
I am sure you will find some answers from the knowledgable folk who frequent here.

Albrecht · 2 February 2016, 07:38 PM

He appears in the Verlustliste on Page 26742, Ausgabe 2137, Dated 4 October 1918.

His birth date is listed as 4 April (1895) in Friedrichsdorf, Wiesbaden

http://des.genealogy.net/search/show/8976172

frontflieger · 3 February 2016, 11:44 AM

Hi fastgit,

you did a great piece of research! The lost wage book in 1916 ... I already found this source, too.

10 years ago a relative of yours (or you?) contacted me.

As he died in August 1918 I do not think that he died of influenza - in those times there were plenty opportunities to die during training (and the "i. Kr." may stand for illness or woundings).

I can add the information that Ferdinand Islaub was burried in Offenbach/ Main in those days.

You could try to find a death notice in a local newspaper - perhaps with a hint concerning the cause of his death.

thorsten