Lt von Eschwege and Hptm Liebermann

MattyBoy · 13 February 2019, 03:27 PM

Hello all,
I wanted to show you these two photos I bought recently, in the hope of gleaning some information. I believe the first one is from FFA 66. Do you think von Eschwege is the man sitting on the floor facing the camera?

The man on the right on the second photo might be Hptm von Liebermann. Does anyone know what award he is wearing on his buttonhole?

Thanks a lot,
Matt.

regular122 · 13 February 2019, 08:18 PM

Looks like a Saxon Albert Order Honor Cross with Swords? Steve

Soderbaum · 14 February 2019, 01:35 AM

Hi Matt

The second photo was taken rather early in the War, early April 1915 at Allenstein. At this time BAO was located nearby at Deuthen. At this time not many had the Albert Order. The partial list in O`Connors volume gives two candidates Bonde and Kurt Müller but Bonde was a pilot so Müller is a probably candidate.. However three more Saxon flyers served within BAO at this time but probably none of these had this award at this time. I dont think it is Liebermann on the second photo as he apparently did not receive that award, however he also served within BAO at this period.

Regarding the first photo Liebermann apparently left due sickness early June 1916. He was shortly back a few Days in early September 1916 to hand over the unit to a new Commander. Macedonia was not a healthy place to serve during this time, probably even worse then Palestina or Iraq.

Gunnar

Buddecke · 15 February 2019, 09:23 AM

Matt,
what a wonderful photo.

I agree, that can be FFA 66
and I agree the man facing camera is Rudolf von Eschwege.
Look at his ears.

Best Regards

Buddecke

Buddecke · 15 February 2019, 09:31 AM

I found this photo of Hptm. von Liebermann.

saxon lions · 15 February 2019, 10:18 AM

The man on the right cannot be Kurt Müller there is a biography on him on the Frontflieger site and he served with KS IR 139 - look at the cuff 3 buttons Saxon Infantry had only 2.

If it is the Albert Order then he is likely to be a non-Saxon who served in one of the 3 nominally Saxon Feldflieger Abteilungen FFA 23, 24 or 29.

MattyBoy · 15 February 2019, 01:12 PM

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies. I feel very lucky to have been the winning bidder, especially for the first photo

There was another image of the gentleman wearing the monocle. Unfortunately I do not own this photo. But I am posting the picture anyway as I'm sure it will be of interest to the forumites

frontflieger · 17 February 2019, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyBoy

There was another image of the gentleman wearing the monocle. Unfortunately I do not own this photo. But I am posting the picture anyway as I'm sure it will be of interest to the forumites

I think it is him:

Thorsten

Buddecke · 17 February 2019, 01:25 PM

Thorsten, yes, you are right.

The first photo shows Dransfeld as CO of FFA 66 early 1916.
Second photo shows Dransfeld with his comrade Oblt. Calmberg in unit BAO. Both are observer.

The answer of all question. The photo collection owned Eduard Dransfeld.

Best Regards

Buddecke

MattyBoy · 18 February 2019, 03:07 PM

Hi all,
So I have a photo of a later Luftwaffe General? That's great news! I'm chuffed to bits

I have actually bought another (rather small) photo of a WW1 aviator who later reached the rank of Generalmajor in the Luftwaffe. His name is Friedrich-Wilhelm Wichard. I'm looking forward to getting it through the post in the next few days