Paul Aue's first three Victories

[saxon lions]

Just when you think you know something you realize that you actually know nothing. So it is with my research on Paul Aue

The general info on him suggests he scored his first victory with KG5 on 25/10/16 alongside observer Lt. Fath, shooting down a BE2c, then there is no info on his next two which are also supposed to be with KG5.

He is also known to have joined Jasta 10 in October 16 and believed to have scored the unit's first victory on 25/03/17.

Clearly all this is impossible. If his first victory was on 25/10/16 then his second and third would have to have been achieved between 26/10/17 and 30/10/17 and if so who was his observer. Moreover, his victory of 25/03/17 was actually the third success of Jasta 10.

Is it possible a change in the interpretation of these facts may actually make it possible for a new time line which possibly make all the statements true

I have noted that on many occasions victories were credited to German pilots some time often months after the incident. Thus I believe from Hannes Täger's article on Franz Buchner confirmation of his Jasta 9 victory came after his first with Jasta 13.

Could there be a similar belated confirmation of Aue's first victory of 25/10/16 which was earlier but confirmed on 25/10. This in turn could mean he joined Jasta 10 earlier in October and could in fact have claimed the units previously un-credited first victory on 20/10/16 his third. This would mean his second victory must also have been with KG5 some time before he joined Jasta 10 in October 16.

All the previous facts now become possible or do they

[R Gannon]

Hi

That first 'claim' with Ltn Fath would appear to reflect BE 12 6629 of 21 Sqn flown by Lt A J Fisher (pow/dow). The inexperienced Fisher had dived away from his OP when attacked by Vzfw H Muller of Js 5 on a Halberstadt. He was seen chased down through clouds by by a HA (Muller) - BE 12 had 140hp engine so he likely had a good chance of shaking Muller. Lurking just below clouds however was MvR on a 160hp two gunned Albatros, no doubt hoping to surprise a Corps BE2 on artillery work - anyway he delivered the coup de grace and then rather gracelessly decried Muller's part in the victory. MvR also noted that a Rumpler crew also claimed credit - no doubt Fath & Aue of Ks30/KG5.

I have it that claim on 23 Mar 17 was actually Aue's #4. But not Js 10's first success. Oblt Linck forced a 'Vickers' to land at Vitry on 10 Oct 16 - 25 Sqn's 4292 forced down at Vitry (cfm by crew RPS) - well inside German lines (6 Armee). Rather seems that a FA 22 crew along with MvR (both 1 Armee) put in dodgy claims for this one. I rather suspect MvR had been fighting an 11 Sqn FE2 close to Bapaume, but missed out on credit to Hptm Zander the SF of Js 1, so cast his net further afield and laid claim to a 'Vickers' reported down in 6 Armee area. FE 22 crew seems to done much the same and won out - Neuberger the observer was an Oblt and MvR was at the time after all only a Ltn. Neither claim valid all the same (think FA 22 crew had actually had a brush with a 24 Sqn DH2 closer to Bapaume on 1 Armee sector).

German 2-seater claims for 1916 are not well documented. A surviving Sofl 1 return for 22 Oct 16 records five claims by KG5 crews, but none are particularly convincing in regards actual RFC machines downed (a 22 Sqn FE shot about and a 34 Sqn BE2 which spun down at best).

Cheers Russ

[Soderbaum]

Hi Saxon Lions

I have that Aue scored his first victory in mid May 1916, except the EB he received the EKII for this feat. KG 5 scored totally 5 victories during May 1916.

He left KG 5/30 on 19.12.1916 and joined Js 10 some weeks later.

Gunnar

[saxon lions]

Thanks Russ and Gunnar clearly Aue could not have scored the first victory of Jasta 10, but If his first victory was in May to what does the information relating to 26/10/16 refer to? a later victory (his last in KG5 ?), or is this the date of the confirmation of his fist victory.

[tcrean7828]

Mates,
Here is what I have on on Paul Aue from my book:

Part 1

10-02 – OfStv. Paul Aue - Pfalz D.III – Albatros D.V, Albatros D.VII (F5136/18)

• Born: 07 Oct 1891 near Söbringen, Kgr. Sachsen (Saxony) - ‘aerodrome.com – personnel.

Note: Söbringen – Pillnitz. The village is situated on the northern side of the Elbe River and today (since ca 1950) part of Dresden, district of Saxony, East central Germany, on the Elbe River – ‘aerodrome.com’ – rammjaeger; Dr. Frank_Olynyk; Hal Oele.

• He served with Kampfstaffel 30 of KG 5 on 25 Oct 1916 where he claimed 1 victory with his Observer Ltn. Fath - Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.
• Units assigned: FEA12, KG5, KG30, Ks30, Jasta 10 - ‘The Illustrated Red Baron’ by Peter Kilduff pg 145; ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt.
• Joined Jasta 10 on: 10 Oct 1916 – ‘The Illustrated Red Baron’ by Peter Kilduff pg 145; ‘theaerodrome.com’; ‘The Jasta Pilots’ by Norman Franks, Frank Bailey and Rick Duiven – pg 92; ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.
• Paul Aue is a close friend of Arthur Laumann - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Hal Oele.

Picture #1: Ltn. Arthur Laumann (28 Victories)

• His First Victory for Jasta 10 was on 25 Mar 1917 against a Nieuport Scout (3418) near Champs – ‘Aerodrom.com – Personal.
• He is credited with 10 Victories with 3 unconfirmed - Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.

Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 25 Oct 1916 KG 5 B.E.2c
2 Jasta 10 EA
3 Jasta 10 EA
+4 25 Mar 1917 Jasta 10 Nieuport Scout (3418) Champs by Verdun
+u/c 23 May 1917 2115 Jasta 10 Sopwith Triplane Carvin
+u/c 27 May 1917 0730 Jasta 10 (S.E.5) Sopwith Pup Etaing, France
+5 07 Jun 1917 0815 Jasta 10 SPAD VII (B1524) (Menin) Coucou
+u/c 07 Jun 1917 0815 Jasta 10 SPAD Coucou
+6 03 May 1918 1215 Jasta 10 Bristol F.2b (C814) (C4744) Proyart
+7 16 Jun 1918 0645 Jasta 10 EA; Balloon (83 Cie) Villers-Cotterêts
8 19 Aug 1918 0900 Jasta 10 Sopwith Camel SW of Puisieux
9 (29) 30 Aug 1918 0955 Jasta 10 Sopwith Camel Estrées-en-Chaussée
10 04 Oct (Sept) 1918 1130 Jasta 10 SPAD Montfaucon

• Victory No.4: on 25 Mar 1917, Aircraft No.3418 was from Esc. N57, Pilot Sgt J. Trincot became a POW after being shot down - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt.
• Received the Saxon Silver St Henry Medal on 24 Apr 1917, followed by the Saxon Gold St Henry Medal in Jul 1918 - Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.
• A no Credit Victory was given on 23 May 1917 to Vzfw Aue for shooting down a Sopwith Triplane. Credit was given to Ltn.d.R. Hans Hintsch of Jasta 11 - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt.
• A no Credit Victory was given on 27 May 1917 to Vzfw Aue for shooting down a Sopwith Pup (A7340) of 66 Sqdn (RFC) piloted by Lt. S.S. Hume who became a POW. Credit was given to Ltn. Johann Hesselink of Jasta 33 - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; ‘Above The Lines’ by Norman L.R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 162.
• Victory No.5: on 07 Jun 1917, SPAD VII Aircraft No. (B1524) was from 23 Sqn. (RFC), Pilot 2/Lt. F. W. Illingworth became a POW after being shot down near Menin and was wounded in the attack - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; ‘C & C Journal Vol.18-1977-Issue 4’ by Marvin L. Skelton – pg 321; ‘SPAD VII Aces of World War 1’ by Jon Guttman and Harry Dempsey – pg 47.

Picture #1: Courtesy of Leslie Rogers
Picture #2: Courtesy of Neal W. O’Connor

• On 19 Sept 1917 - Offizierstellvertreter Aue (Jasta 10) was WIA near Roulers at 1000 hr. where he was shot right through the left shank. Emergency landing at Roulers (ok). Delivered to (Military Hospital 13) Lazarett 13, Kortrijk (Courtrai), Belgium – ‘Jagd in Flanders Himmel’ by Karl Bodenschatz; ‘aerodrome.com’ – Kilian; ‘Over the Front Vol.16-2001-Sunner Issue No.2’ by Dov Gavish, PhD and Dieter H.M. Groschel, M.D – pg 131.
• Paul Aue was seriously wounded on 19 Sept 1917 at 10:00 hr and did not return to duty with Jasta 10 until 02 Feb 1918 (still suffering from a wound that had not healed). Some believe that the combat was with 19 Squadron, but, details indicate that elements of Jagdgeschwader-I were in battle with 10 Squadron Naval when Aue was struck. Ltn. Aue was to write the following of the wounding ... "On 19 Sept 1917 I was wounded in air combat with three Britishers at 3,900 meters near Roulers - three bullets, one of them explosive. For almost a year I flew with open, festering wounds until I was ordered to hospital". ‘Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany in World War I and the Men Who Earned Them Volume III’ by Unk; ‘aerodrome.com’ – Kirk; ‘C & C Journal Vol.18-1977-Issue 4’ – pg 321.
• Wounded in action on 19 Sept 1917 at 1000 hr over Roulers. OfStv Aue was shot in the upper left thigh and was sent to hospital after he landed. He wrote, “On 19 Sept 1917, I was wounded in combat with 24 Britishers at 3000 meters near Roulers – three bullets, one of them explosive.” The combat report No.142 filed by Flt Lt Desmond Fitzgerald FitzGibbon (B.6202) and Fl/Sub Lts Hugh Bingham Maund (B.6211), John G. Carroll (B.6357), Norman Miers MacGregor (B.3833) and Johnston (B.3912) in Sopwith F.1 Camels of No. 10 Squadron (RNAS) - ‘The Jasta War Chronology’ by Norman Franks – pg 99; ‘Casualties of the German Air Service 1914-1920’ by Norman Franks – pg 352; ‘Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1’ by Greg VanWyngarden – pg 21; ‘The Illustrated Red Baron’ by Peter Kilduff pg 145; ‘The Red Baron Combat Wing: Jagdgeschwader Richthofen in Battle’ – Peter Kilduff pg 146; ‘Air Aces of the 1914 – 1918 War’ by D.A. Russell – Pg 194 -197; ‘The Jasta Pilots’ by Norman Franks, Frank Bailey and Rick Duiven – pg 348; ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt.


Picture #1: Flight Lieutenant Desmond Fitzgerald Fitzgibbon (8 Victories)
Picture #2: Captain Hugh Bingham Maund (8 Victories)
Picture #3: Flight Lieutenant Norman Miers MacGregor (7 Victories)

• Capt H.B. Maund was credited with his 1st victory by shooting down an Albatros D.V (OOC) East of Hooge on 19 Sept 1917. Paul Aue was the pilot of that aircraft - ‘theaerodrome.com’- personal.

Picture #1: Capt H.B. Maund (8 victories)

• After being wounded on 19 Sept 1917, he continued to fly on active service for nearly a year before being forced to seek hospital treatment – ‘von Richthofen’s Flying Circus’ by Greg VanWyngarden – pg 41.
• Transferred to FEA12 on 31 Oct 1917 until 02 Feb 1918- ‘The Illustrated Red Baron’ by Peter Kilduff pg 145; ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; ‘Over the Front Vol.16-2001-Sunner Issue No.2’ by Dov Gavish, PhD and Dieter H.M. Groschel, M.D – pg 131.
• Despite OfStv. Aue’s wounds, having not healed properly, he returned to the squadron in Feb 1918 – ‘ABOVE THE LINES: The Aces of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps’ by Norman L. Franks, R. Bailey, W. Frank & Guest, Russell – pg 63.
• Transferred back to Jasta 10 on 02 Feb 1918 - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; ‘The Illustrated Red Baron’ by Peter Kilduff pg 145.

Picture #1: (Picture Courtesy of Greg VanWyngarden)

• He was listed as missing in action on 22 Apr 1918 but arrived at Cappy on 23 Apr 1918 unharmed, having run out of petrol and had to land to refuel at another airfield. Being from Richthofen’s Geschwader, the overnight hospitality extended to him was common practice - ‘The Red Baron Combat Wing: Jagdgeschwader Richthofen in Battle’ – Peter Kilduff pg 205.
• Victory No.6: on 03 May 1918, Aircraft No. C4744 C814 was from (62) 48 Sqn. RAF, the Pilot Lt. P.R. Hampton and his Observer Lt. L.C. Lane both became POW’s after being shot down - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63; ‘C & C Journal Vol.18-1977-Issue 4’ by Marvin L. Skelton – pg 321.
• On 03 May 1918, Paul Aue shot down an F.2B (C814) near Proyart for his 6th victory, where the Pilot 2/Lt. A.C.G. Brown died of his injuries and his observer/gunner Cpl. A.W. Sainsbury being wounded was taken prisoner – ‘Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War 1’ by Jon Guttman – Pg 17.

Picture #1: Courtesy of Jack Eder

• Victory No.7: on 16 Jun 1918 was from 83e Cie. Aerostieres - ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; ‘C & C Journal Vol.18-1977-Issue 4’ by Marvin L. Skelton – pg 321.

Note: Aue personally records his 7th victory as a British aircraft which he brought down after a long fight on 16 Jun 1918, and not a balloon - ‘Above The Lines’ by Norman L.R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.

• Victory No.7: on 16 Jun 1918, OfStv Aue records this victory as a British Aircraft from 83 Cie, and not a balloon - Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.
• Victory No.10: on 04 Oct 1918 - ‘C & C Journal Vol.18-1977-Issue 4’ by Marvin L. Skelton – pg 321.

Note: Paul Aue also states his victories as being 10 with three more forced to land - ‘Above The Lines’ by Norman L.R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.

tcrean7828

tom

[tcrean7828]

Part 2 Continuation:


• Received the St. Heinrich Medal – ‘frontfleiger.com’
• He also received the Iron Cross 1st Class, the Friedrich-August Medal in Silver and possibly the Saxon Honor Cross with Crown and Swords and the Saxon War Merit Cross - Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.
• Remained with Jasta 10 until the End of the War(EOW) on 11 Nov 1918 - ‘The Jasta Pilots’ by Norman Franks, Frank Bailey and Rick Duiven – pg 92; ‘aerodrome.com’ – Rick Duiven and Lloyd Leichentritt; ‘The Illustrated Red Baron’ by Peter Kilduff pg 145.
• Survived the War – Thomas Crean.
• After the war he lives as a Flugkapitän of Lufthansa in Mülheim an der Ruhr - 'aerodrome.com' - Hal Oele.
• He joined the German Luftwaffe in the 1930’s, saw service in World War II and was taken prisoner of war by the Russians – ‘Fokker D.VII Aces of World War I – by Norman Franks pg 14; ‘The Illustrated Red Baron’ by Peter Kilduff pg 145; Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63.
• On 27 Oct 1939 he’s Commander of Flugzeugführer Schule C in Brandis - 'aerodrome.com' - Hal Oele.
• On 01 Apr 1942 Paul Aue is promoted to Oberst in the German Luftwaffe - 'aerodrome.com' - Hal Oele.
• On 15 Oct 1944 to 30 Jan 1945, Major Paul Aue becomes Commander Fliegerhorst-Kommandatur (Fliegerhorst-Kommandantur A (o) 37/III) Brandis, near Leipzig, Germany - 'aerodrome.com' - Hal Oele; ‘ww2.dk’.
• In 1945 he died in a Luftwaffen-Lazarett in Bad Wiessee - 'aerodrome.com' - Hal Oele.

Note: Bad Wiessee: see Lw.-Lazarett (o) 3/VII (Bad Wiessee/50 km S of München. 500 beds); Luftwaffen-Lazarett (Luftwaffe Hospital) and Lazarett d.Lw. (o) - (Luftwaffe Hospital (stationary)) - 'axishistory.com' - Henry L. deZeng IV.

• He Died in 1945 in a Russian Prisoner of War (POW) camp during WW II – ‘frontflieger.de’; Above the Lines’ by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey & Russell Guest – pg 63; ‘C & C Journal Vol.18-1977-Issue 4’ – pg 321.

tcrean7828

tom

[R Gannon]

Hi Tom

A little upgrade on 27 May 17.

66 Sqn's Hume - got separated after combat with Albatros from Js 10 & Js 33with jammed gun - then attacked and FTL by 2-seater - Schusta 11 Rebbe & Hegger.

Aue claim for 'SE5' and relates to 56 Sqn's 2Lt GA Lloyd, who lost his OP due to engine and attacked 2 EA scouts only to be attacked by a third and then shot down. The 3 EA must have been Ostv Altmaier & Hesselink of Js 33 BOTH credited with an SE-1 diesseits and Aue who missed out. Clearly a cross pollination of claims going on here. Js 10's Uffz Opel also unconfiremed claim for 'Sopwith. Hume & Lloyd the only losses.

Cheers Russ

[tcrean7828]

Mate,
Outstanding and tks for the update!

tcrean7828

tom

[saxon lions]

Thanks to all for their contributions and I can now update a little

Although according to all current publications Aue was born in Söbringen a suburb of Dresden. However his Birth Certificate shows Max Paul Aue to have been born in different suburb of the city Hosterwitz. Yet the entry in Verlustlisten for the wound he received on 19/09/17 (V.1917-10-06) also lists Söbringen as his place of birth. Some time ago I conversed with Hannes Täger on this discrepancy which also occurred for another Saxon ace Hans Hoyer. It would seem that for some Saxon recruits the place of abode was listed rather than the place of birth. Thus Aue was born in Hosterwitz but lived in lived in Söbringen at the time of his enlistment,

Having now had time to look at a number of sources of info. Only one source 'The Jasta Pilots' gives 10/10/16 (probably from a miss-read of the info in 'Above the Line's) as the date of him joining Jasta 10 as all other sources state 10/16. I take this to mean that the exact date is unknown but was after his victory of 25/10/16 the date of his KG 5/30 victory.

Assuming Soderbaum to be correct and his information is invariably impeccable then Aue actually left KG 5/30 on 19/12/16. I referred back to my copies of St Henry Medal Recipients in Silver by Erhard Roth compiled from the State Archive and discovered that Aue's StHM in Silver was actually awarded on 10/01/17 by which time he was with Jasta 10. O'Connor noted April 17 but used a number of other less reliable sources - for Aue this was Sachsen in großer Zeit band 1 and noted that the lists were up to three months in arrears of the bestowal. So he joined Jasta 10 between 19/12/16 and 10/01/17 presumably after a spell in Jastaschule and / or home leave following his awards.

As there are no records of any Aue victory in Jasta 10 prior to 25/03/17 all his first three must have been with KG 5/30 between mid May 16 when he won his EH and EKII and 19/12/16 the second or third being his victory of 25/10/16 with Lt Fath. This also means the bestowal of the StHM in Silver was belated Saxon recognition for his three victories and other duties in KG 5/30 not for his first victory in Jasta 10. Recognition of his success in JGI came later with the award of the StHM in Gold.

[Soderbaum]

Hi again Saxon lions

If you read the birth certificate correctly you will see that Aue was born in Söbrigen It is also confirmed by his own words.

He joined Jasta 10 on 06.01.1917 after some one-seater training at AFP 5.

Gunnar