German WW1 two-seater pilot aces

[Knusel]

Good morning Gentlemen,

from the superb new BLUE MAX AIRMEN volume I learned that Walz flew a Rumpler. I changed that accordingly in my list of German WW1 two-seater pilot aces:

ace/two-seater score(total score)/aircraft type used

• Albert Dossenbach 9(15) LVG C.II (5), Albatros C.V (4)
• Friedrich Huffzky 9(9) Halberstadt CL.II (9)
• Franz Walz 6(7) LVG C.II (1), Rumpler C.I (5)
• Johann Baur 6(6) Hannover CL.IIIa (6)
• Friedrich Christiansen 6(6) Friedrichshafen FF 33L (1), Hansa-Brandenburg W.12 (3), Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 (2)
• Fritz Kosmahl 5(9) LVG C.II (2), Albatros C.V (3)
• Karl Meyer 5(8) Friedrichshafen FF 33H (3), Hansa-Brandenburg LW (2)
• Rudolf Besel 5(5) DFW C.V (3), Hannover CL.II (2)
• Wilhelm Fahlbusch 5(5) LFG Roland C.II (5)

Cheers,

Michael

[Spoonfrog]

Interesting info as usual Knussel

Quite low numbers compared to the British top two-seater score, which I think would be Bristol Fighter at 31 kills from Andrew McKeever ?

[Knusel]

Good morning Spoonfrog,

yes, the Bristol Fighter produced more aces than all German WW1 two-seater types combined. Was this because it was rather usual for a German scorer in a two-seater to transition to one-seaters ?

Cheers,

Michael

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by Knusel

Good morning Spoonfrog,

yes, the Bristol Fighter produced more aces than all German WW1 two-seater types combined. Was this because it was rather usual for a German scorer in a two-seater to transition to one-seaters ?

Cheers,

Michael

Hi Michael,

I believe this was because of the Bristol Brifit's outstanding handling qualities.
"Bristol Fighter" as in Two Seat Fighter.

Cheers, FOKKERJ

[Knusel]

Good morning FOKKERJ,

yes, the Bristol F.2b scored a astonishing 1570 kills. But my question was rather why so few kills were scored by German two-seaters.

Today, is a holiday in the region of Switzerland, where I live, hooray

Best greetings,
Michael

[YavorD]

Originally Posted by Knusel

...
yes, the Bristol F.2b scored a astonishing 1570 kills. But my question was rather why so few kills were scored by German two-seaters.
...

The answer, most probably, would be a something like being in a right time at the right place.

(1) A Rolls-Royce powered Bristol Fighter demonstrated good altitude performance and diving speed.

(2) The aircraft was used in offensive fighter sweeps above enemy territory. During the summer of 1918 Bristol Fighter squadrons often provided top-cover for a large fighter formations flying as a third echelon at 14,000 - 16,000 feet above medium altitude echelon of fighters (S.E.5a) and bombers and low altitude echelon (Sopwith Camels). Within such a formation, there was no need to look far and wide for opponents, German fighters were coming to meet Your formation anyway ...

German two-seaters with good fighting qualities (CL-class) were restricted (by design and doctrine) to low altitude operations over the front lines and on the defensive side of aircraft-vs-aircraft encounters.

Best regards,
Yavor

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by Knusel

Good morning Gentlemen,

from the superb new BLUE MAX AIRMEN volume I learned that Walz flew a Rumpler. I changed that accordingly in my list of German WW1 two-seater pilot aces:

ace/two-seater score(total score)/aircraft type used

• Albert Dossenbach 9(15) LVG C.II (5), Albatros C.V (4)
• Friedrich Huffzky 9(9) Halberstadt CL.II (9)
• Franz Walz 6(7) LVG C.II (1), Rumpler C.I (5)
• Johann Baur 6(6) Hannover CL.IIIa (6)
• Friedrich Christiansen 6(6) Friedrichshafen FF 33L (1), Hansa-Brandenburg W.12 (3), Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 (2)
• Fritz Kosmahl 5(9) LVG C.II (2), Albatros C.V (3)
• Karl Meyer 5(8) Friedrichshafen FF 33H (3), Hansa-Brandenburg LW (2)
• Rudolf Besel 5(5) DFW C.V (3), Hannover CL.II (2)
• Wilhelm Fahlbusch 5(5) LFG Roland C.II (5)

Cheers,

Michael

Good evening Michael,

That is an interesting List.
Especially Franz Walz.

What years did he fly?
I ask because "Franz Walz 6(7) LVG C.II (1), Rumpler C.I (5)", both LVG C.II and Rumpler C.I are early machines.

I am also curious if all of these Pilots are credited with "Kills" that they personally shot down with forward machine guns or are any of them due to their Observer/Gunner?

Best Wishes, FOKKERJ

[Knusel]

Hello,

Franz Walz flew an LVG C.II possibly from early 1916 until April 1916, then a Rumpler C.I until he was wounded on 30Jul1916. After that he transferred to fighters but scored only one more kill in an Albatros D.III.

Have a nice Sunday,

Michael

[Knusel]

When did Friedrich Huffzky die ?

[saxon lions]

I recently discovered on Ancestry that he died in 1959, but I still do not know the exact date. His son Gustav Friedrich Horst Huffzky was KIA on 24/04/44 with the rest of the crew in a Junkers Ju188E-1 over Arne in Dorset.