Von Richthofen's 66. Victory Claim

[Olham 164]

 

 

For all who wanted to see a German claim, I have translated MvR's 66. claim report.

I did not try to make it the perfect English way, but rather to follow the German order

of grammatics (as far as possible), to keep the "German touch" of it.

 

The Canadian pilot, who was lucky enough to survive a "meeting" with the "Red Baron",

was Lieutenant W. G. Ivamy, 54 Sqdn, RFC.

 

 

(66. victory)

Fighter Squadron 1. 18.3.1918 11.15 h a.m.

at the Road Molai - Vaux Andigny,

600 m southwest Molain

Sopwith-Camel-1 English;

Aircraft-Number: B 5243

Engine: Clerget 35751

Fok.Dr.I.152; red upper wing,

red Cowling (Hood), red Wheels and red Tail.

1 Canadian, captured.

 

I started with 30 Aircraft of my Squadron and flew in tight Formation,

leading all 3 Staffeln, at 5300 m Altitude towards the Enemy.

As we approached the Front, I saw several english Squadrons which were

just flying across our Lines, about the direction Le Cateau. The

first Squadron that encountered me was at about 5500 m Altitude. I shot

(together) with Lt. Gussmann, Jasta.11 the rearmost of the Opponents,

a Bristol-Fighter down. He lost the Wings and Lt. Gussmann brought him

near Jencourt down.

After that I gathered my 30 Aircraft, climbed to 5300 m and followed two

Squadrons, that had broken through (all the way) to Le Cateau. When the

Opponent(s) attempted to turn away and to get back to the Front, I attacked.

The Aircraft flying next to me, apparently a Breguet or Bristol-Fighter,

was strafed by me and Lt. Loewenhardt, Jasta.10, after which the Opponent's

Tank got shot kaput and I saw, how the Aircraft went down vetically.

Lt. Loewenhardt brought it down.

Of two english Singleseater-Squadrons I attacked one aircraft with Streamers

and forced the Opponent to land near Molain.

 

Witnesses of the Air Combat:

see Attachment!

 

Frhr. v Richthofen

Rittmeister and Squadron Leader

Edited July 3, 2011 by Olham

[Creaghorn 10]

 

 

For all who wanted to see a German claim, I have translated MvR's 66. claim report.

I did not try to make it the perfect English way, but rather to follow the German order

of grammatics (as far as possible), to keep the "German touch" of it.

 

The Canadian pilot, who was lucky enough to survive a "meeting" with the "Red Baron",

was Lieutenant W. G. Ivamy, 54 Sqdn, RFC.

 

 

(66. victory)

Fighter Squadron 1. 18.3.1918 11.15 h a.m.

at the Road Molai - Vaux Andigny,

600 m southwest Molain

Sopwith-Camel-1 English;

Aircraft-Number: B 5243

Engine: Clerget 35751

Fok.Dr.I.152; red upper wing,

red Cowling (Hood), red Wheels and red Tail.

1 Canadian, captured.

 

I started with 30 Aircraft of my Squadron and flew in tight Formation,

leading all 3 Staffeln, at 5300 m Altitude towards the Enemy.

As we approached the Front, I saw several english Squadrons which were

just flying across our Lines, about the direction Le Cateau. The

first Squadron that encountered me was at about 5500 m Altitude. I shot

(together) with Lt. Gussmann, Jasta.11 the rearmost of the Opponents,

a Bristol-Fighter down. He lost the Wings and Lt. Gussmann brought him

near Jencourt down.

After that I gathered my 30 Aircraft, climbed to 5300 m and followed two

Squadrons, that had broken through (all the way) to Le Cateu. When the

Opponent(s) attempted to turn away and to get back to the Front, I attacked.

The Aircraft flying next to me, apparently a Breguet or Bristol-Fighter,

was strafed by me and Lt. Loewenhardt, Jasta.10, after which the Opponent's

Tank got shot kaput and I saw, how the Aircraft went down vetically.

Lt. Loewenhardt brought it down.

Of two english Singleseater-Squadrons I attacked one aircraft with Streamers

and forced the Opponent to land near Molain.

 

Witnesses of the Air Combat:

see Attachment!

 

Frhr. v Richthofen

Rittmeister and Squadron Leader

 

in the british claimsystem he would have had 3 kills this day and his fellow pilots would have one each.

so he has one and has more or less gifted the other kills to his fellows. he easily could have claimed them also for himself.

wondering how many kills he would have if the german claimsystem was the same as the british.

 

thanks for sharing olham

[+elephant 36]

This is Great and very usefull for future "reports"...

Thanks!

[Wayfarer 5]

Thanks Olham. That is interesting. I have seen British combat reports from WWII before, but no German ones from WW1. It's interesting that he describes the finish of his own aircraft and that, although he records having taken part in three attacks, he is emphatic that the other pilots were responsible for downing two of the aircraft.

 

 

[JFM 18]

Meanwhile, people still claim MvR "stole" victories.

 

Here's 80:

 

[Slartibartfast 153]

Very interesting reads both of them...

[Olham 164]

His 80. claim reads more or less like this:

 

3 Minutes, after I had shot down the first one burning,

I attacked from the same Squadron a 2. Camel. The Opponent

let himself fall down, caught himself again, and repeated this Maneuver

oftener. In the process I came as near as closest Fighting Distance and

shot him with about 50 Rounds afire. The Fuselage burnt away in Midair,

the Rest of the Aircraft crashed northeast Viller-Bretonneux.

Edited December 2, 2010 by Olham

[carrick58 23]

Very nicely done, Thanks Olham

[Javito1986 14]

Thanks for translating for us non-German readers. Fascinating stuff! Where are you finding these if I may ask? I'd love to see more

[Olham 164]

I googled this some time ago, and only found two of his claims:

the 66. and the 80. as posted by JFM.

[von Baur 54]

Meanwhile, people still claim MvR "stole" victories.

 

 

 

I agree, JFM. There were several people at Wing of Honor who would regularly post about how he claimed or 'poached' other peoples' kills (mostly an infamous SPUDDER who loved to put a last burst into a dieing aircraft that someone else had spent considerable time, energy and ammo on). But the high morale and total victories in Jasta 11 and later JG1 belie that mistaken belief. Personally, I think it all started with Allied propaganda designed to try to minimize the fear factor. Not unlike the US Army training film during WWII that said the MG42's bark was worse than its bite. I wonder how many GI's died believing that when a little more caution and respect for that bite might have helped them survive the war.