#Jagdgeschwader 1

[subtile-jagden]

[usafphantom2]

Randy’s Warbird Profiles: Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-5 “White A”

August 30, 2024 Zac Yates Warbirds News 0

[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

Aircorps Art Dec 2019

By Randy Malmstrom

Since his childhood, Randy Malmstrom has had a passion for aviation history and historic military aircraft in particular. He has a particular penchant for documenting specific airframes with a highly detailed series of walk-around images and an in-depth exploration of their history, which have proved to be popular with many of those who have seen them, and we thought our readers would be equally fascinated too. This installment of Randy’s Warbird Profiles takes a look at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum��s Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-5, currently the only airworthy example of the legendary Luftwaffe fighter.

RWW FHCAM 190A 02

[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

This particular aircraft was built in Bremen in April 1943. It is an example of the Jagdbomber (“Jabos” for short) or fighter bomber modification. It was based at Siversky (southwest of Leningrad) and so has come down through history as the “Leningrad 190.” It is the aircraft of Feldwebel Paul Rätz, Jagdgeschwader 54, Staffel 4 and a veteran of 117 combat missions. I have heard variously that it was painted in forest camouflage using paints scrounged from local residents by Luftwaffe field mechanics, or it was pained in RLM colors being tested at the time. The yellow stripe indicates Russian Front and a letter marking generally refers to ground attack rather than a number for air attack.

RWW FHCAM 190A 04

[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

While on a “free hunt” for trains with his wingman in the “Corridor of Death” near Voybokalo, east of Leningrad, on July 19, 1943 Rätz encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire. He reported having been hit by flak and made a nearly perfect belly landing. He was reported missing in action, but in fact survived the crash and was taken prisoner in the Soviet Union and was later repatriated to Germany in 1949. The aircraft was found in 1989 where he left it near Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) with his helmet and radio gear on the pilot’s seat.

It is believed that slave laborers sabotaged this aircraft as there was no bullet damage, and a rag was found in one of the oil lines. It was rebuilt with as much original skin as possible (I am told as much as 80-90%) and powered by a BMW 801 D-2 air-cooled engine (note the 12-bladed fan behind the propeller) — I have heard that an unused engine still in its crate was found for this project — which was rebuilt at Vintage V-12s in Tehachapi, CA. What was amazing about this aircraft was the Kommandogerät (control device), an electro-mechanical computer that sets the fuel mixture, propeller pitch, boost, and magneto timing all at once. It is my understanding that the famous KommandoGerät in and of itself was half the cost of the BMW 801 “Power Egg” engine (there seems to be question as to any use of that moniker in German-language regions), and that there were disputes between manufacturers Fw and BMW over all the early engine problems (who was to blame); a Luftwaffe officer helped the two companies come to some agreement.

RWW FHCAM 190A 10

[Photo via Randy Malmstrom]

It was acquired by Vulcan Warbirds Inc. for display and flight at Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum (FHCAM) on Paine Field in Everett, WA. The BMW sticker has been removed for safe keeping but you can see the disk where it belongs. The canopy is largely original and I’ve heard reports that the plastic was recovered from the Bodensee (Lake Constance) or possibly Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Final restoration was at GossHawk Unlimited in Arizona and Steve Hinton flew it for the first time on December 1, 2010. It is the only flying example of this version with a BMW 801 engine as of this writing, with Steve Hinton and Kevin Eldridge the only two pilots checked out in the aircraft since it was restored.

RWW FHCAM 190A 07

[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

This Jabos modification was armed with two Rheinmetall MG 17 7.92 mm machine guns in the cowling (disparagingly referred to by German pilots as “Türklopfer” or “doorknockers” for their lack of penetrating power) – two of the MG/FF 20 mm cannons in the wings were removed to carry up to 1,320 lbs. of ordnance. It has red mechanical landing gear indicator rods or bayonets which you can see protruding on top of the wings and where it attaches to the landing gear strut.

Note that in this vintage of Fw-190 there is a spring-loaded pulley on the canopy to keep the antenna wire taught regardless of the the canopy’s position; this was skipped on later 190’s such as the D-13 Dora (I have photos of that aircraft without the pulley). Flaps are metal whereas the Dora uses wood. Also, since the canopy rails are not parallel the canopy has a hinge on the top to make it flexible. There is a cable from the right landing gear strut to the tailwheel that retracts the tailwheel when the main gear goes up; there is an access panel on the left side of the tail fin to adjust the cable mechanism (see photos and diagrams). The right wheel rim of the aircraft is painted red indicating synthetic fuel (as far as I have determined).

RWW FHCAM 190A 05

[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

The “Achtung” warning on the armor behind the pilot’s seat reminds ground crews that there is an explosive canopy release – this is due to the difficulty of opening it manually when the aircraft is at speed.

RWW FHCAM 190A 06

[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

About the author

Randy Malmstrom grew up in a family steeped in aviation culture. His father, Bob, was still a cadet in training with the USAAF at the end of WWII, but did serve in Germany during the U.S. occupation in the immediate post-war period, where he had the opportunity to fly in a wide variety of types which flew in WWII. After returning to the States, Bob became a multi-engine aircraft sales manager and as such flew a wide variety of aircraft; Randy frequently accompanied him on these flights. Furthermore, Randy’s cousin, Einar Axel Malmstrom flew P-47 Thunderbolts with the 356th FG from RAF Martlesham Heath. He was commanding this unit at the time he was shot down over France on April 24th, 1944, spending the rest of the war as a prisoner of war. Following his repatriation at war’s end, Einar continued his military service, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was serving as Deputy Wing Commander of the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing at Great Falls AFB, MT at the time of his death in a T-33 training accident on August 21, 1954. The base was renamed in his honor in October 1955 and continues to serve in the present USAF as home to the 341st Missile Wing. Randy’s innate interest in history in general, and aviation history in particular, plus his educational background and passion for WWII warbirds, led him down his current path of capturing detailed aircraft walk-around photos and in-depth airframe histories, recording a precise description of a particular aircraft in all aspects.

Author ProfileRelated Posts

Zac Yates

Zac, born and raised in New Zealand, grew up immersed in aviation, with his father working as a helicopter crewman and living at Wanganui Airport. His passion for aviation started in childhood, building scale model kits and following the global warbird scene. He later trained as a journalist but found mainstream media unfulfilling, leading him to pursue a career as an aircraft maintenance engineer.

Now residing in Blenheim, near the historic Omaka Aerodrome, Zac studies at RNZAF Base Woodbourne and aspires to become a private and warbird pilot. Known as "Handbag" in aviation circles, he shares his love for aviation through photography and writing, connecting with enthusiasts worldwide.

@VintageWarbirdNews via x

[squadron-goals]

Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) is an expanded version of Manfred von Richthofen's memoir Der Rote Kampfflieger (The Red Baron). In addition to the autobiography, it includes letters from Manfred to his family (like the 1933 edition) and some chapters that were not included in the book, as well as other comments and anecdotes from people who were close to him. It also includes accounts by his brother Lothar von Richthofen.

Overview:

Visit to the Great Headquarters

My Engagement

A flight in an observation balloon

A day at Staffel 11 (by Lothar von Richthofen)

At Jagdgeschwader Richthofen (by a Dutch reporter)

Richthofen as leader and comrade (by Leutnant Friedrich Wilhelm Lübbert, Jasta 11)

In memory of Richthofen (by v. B.)

An encounter (by Emil August Glogau)

The mother about the boy Manfred

Letter by Leutnant Hans Joachim Wolff to Leutnant Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen

How Richthofen shot down his seventy fifth victory (by Leutnant Lampel)

Richthofen (by Erich von Salzmann): Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

At court for the second time

Letters of Erwin Böhme: Before the war, Erwin Böhme worked as an engineer in East Africa. When the war started he was already 37 years old. This did not stop him and he became a successful fighter pilot, being personally selected by Boelcke to join his fighter squadron. In 1916 he met the daughter of a former business colleague and they fell in love. The following letters are those Böhme wrote to his later fiancée Annamarie during the war days. [Translated are the parts of the letters where Böhme describes his life as a fighter pilot.]

Landres, 24 June 1916

Kowel, 7 July 1916

Kowel, 3 August 1916

Kowel, 15 August 1916

Bertincourt, 11 September 1916

Bertincourt, 21 September 1916

Somme, 4 October 1916

Somme, 18 October 1916

Lagnicourt, 31 October 1916

Lagnicourt, 12 November 1916

Jagdstaffel Boelcke, 12 December 1916

Partenkirchen, 28 January 1917

Jagdstaffel Boelcke, 8 April 1917

Valenciennes, 25 April 1917

Valenciennes, 9 May 1917

Valenciennes, 3 July 1917

Jagdstaffel 29, 16 July 1917

Jagdstaffel 29, 7 August 1917

Jagdstaffel 29, 17 August 1917

18 August 1917

Jagdstaffel Boelcke, 21 September 1917

“With the aces”, 20 October 1917

Rumbeke, 31 October 1917

Back with the aces again, 31 October 1917

4 November 1917, Sunday morning

Jagdstaffel Boelcke, 14 November 1917

Bavikhove, 16 November 1917

Bavikhove, 19 November 1917

27 November 1917

The End

Rudolf Berthold – a man who never let himself be dissuaded from his convictions. A man who, despite the worst injuries always returned to the front as quickly as possible. A man for whom the war was not over, even if it was over for his country. A summary of Bertholds life can be found in the pinned post over @subtile-jagden The following are translated diary entries as well as some of his letters.

Before mobilization It is getting serious! First challenges Emergency landing Important reconnaissance flights during the advance The most beautiful day of my life! Finally a pilot! Buddecke, the dear comrade! Feldfliegerabteilung 23 End of 1915 Single seater fighter unit Vaux and the first victories An unfortunate day for Berthold Back to the unit Jasta 4, the Pour le mérite and a new challenge Beginning of 1917 Finally off to Flanders End of 1918: Ceasefire and revolution 1919 / 1920: Uncertainties, Soldier´s Councils and the Last Fight

Ernst Jünger was a passionate diarist. During his time in the First World War, he filled 14 diaries. Based on these entries, he wrote his popular book Storms of Steel. The diary entries provide additional information, funny stories and reveal his true feelings during this turbulent time.

First experiences Officer Candidate and Relocation First Cannonade First wound Back at the front Days at the front and stories from old friends Quéant Friendly contact with the enemy New year, same situtation A love affair Officer training course Back in the trenches and dangerous patrols Mine warfare and gas attacks An English prisoner and a funeral Summer 1916 Battle of the Somme Part 1 A short break from fighting and another injuriy Wartime conditions Another injury

[wwiigermany]

Kurt Peters (7 August 1914 – 24 July 1957) Braunschweig Fürstenfeldbruck West Germany Service/branch Balkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe Bundeswehrkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe Rank Major (Wehrmacht) Major (Bundeswehr) Unit: Aufklärungsgruppe 22 Commands held: JG 300, JG 302 Battles/wars: World War II Defense of the Reich Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Kurt Peters rests in the war cemetery in Niederzier-Huchem-Stammeln. In November 1943. Peters was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 300 (JG 300—300th Fighter Wing). On 21 June 1944, Peters claimed three aerial victories. His first two claims of the day were in fact Herausschüsse (separation shots)—a heavy bomber forced to separate from its combat box which was counted as an aerial victory. A Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber was forced from its combat box southeast of Berlin at 10:07. The second B-24 bomber was then forced from formation at 10:15 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of Berlin. At 10:20, he shot down a B-24 bomber near Adlershof. On 29 June, Peters was shot down in his Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-7 (Werknummer 340303—factory number) near Laucha an der Unstrut and Naumburg. He bailed out and was wounded. Command of II. Gruppe was then transferred to Major Alfred Lindenberger.

Awards and decorations Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (5 October 1942) German Cross in Gold on 20 October 1942 as Hauptmann in the 1.(Fern)/Aufklärungsgruppe 22 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II.(Sturm)/Jagdgeschwader 300 Full story on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWT3L2OVbqM

[tintenspion]

Really curious about Goering's shit about being a friend of Manfred and things like that. Where can I see them?

First and foremost, there is an article written by him for "Unsere Luftstreitkräfte 1914-18", where he talks about MvRs death. He mentions that they knew each other and describes how he experienced his last fight. (I got the article scanned, and im considering getting the book myself but this is like 40 centimeters long and like five kilograms I am not exaggerating. It's the Big Chungus of books.)

"[Ich will Richthofen] so schildern, wie ich ihn persönlich erlebt habe in den gemeinsamen schweren Kämpfen und wie ich ihn gesehen habe im Kreise seiner Kameraden."

"I want to describe Richthofen the way I personally experienced him the hard battles we fought together and how I saw him in the circle of his comrades."

The biggest hole in his story is that at the time of Richthofens death he was commander of JaSta 27, which was part of Jagdgeschwader 3, in contrast to Richthofen who was the leader of Jagdgeschwader 1. Therefore he couldnt have been there to witness Richthofens death personally, and the entire article seems to be based on speculations.

Richthofen himself also never mentioned Göring ever in any of his surviving writings, and there are no photos that show them together. The Fokker films are edited in a way that makes it seem as if Göring and MvR were in the JG1 at the same time, but in fact those scenes were recorded months apart from each other.

Hermann Göring also wrote a ton of forewords for books about MvR that were published after 1933. Most notably the 1933 version of Der Rote Kampfflieger and Kunigunde von Richthofens war diary. There he also often implies that he knew MvR, even though I have established that it is highly unlikely.

The way he talks about Richthofen really sounds like he saw himself not just as his successor, but also as some kind of reincarnation of his spirit or some shit. From what ive read about Göring, that wouldnt even be the weirdest thing about him.

[shootingstar-design]

FW190A der 11./Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 1 in Schönfeld-Seifersdorf im Januar 1945.

[sjvllsblog]

On October 27th, 1940 this Messerschmitt 109 E-1 - White 13 (Werke/Nr.3576) of 7 Staffel/Jagdgeschwader 54 was hit in the engine by a burst of gunfire from a No.605 Squadron Hurricane during a freelance patrol over Tunbridge Wells.

The gunfire caused the engine to malfunction and to overheat. It quickly became clear to the pilot, Unteroffizier Arno Zimmermann (aged 21), that he stood no chance of making it back across the English Channel to his French base at Guines, especially when the cockpit also filled with smoke. Instead, Zimmermann made a good forced-landing on the shingle by Lydd Water Tower in Kent and was taken POW.

Here, a soldier guards the downed Luftwaffe fighter. The aircraft was only lightly damaged but ended its days as scrap with the metal being re-processed for the British aircraft industry.

[pattern-53-enfield]

Jagdgeschwader I, 1917

via ANYAN on Twitter

[nerdaces]

Hermann Göring

Edit: Originally posted by @reichsmarshall

[subtile-jagden]

The elusive Konstantin Krefft. Although he was with Jasta 11 since the beginning and remained with Jagdgeschwader 1 until the end, there is not much information to be found about him. He was a fighter pilot with two confirmed kills and the technical officer of Jasta 11. In many pictures he can be seen with Manfred von Richthofen. He survived the war but died sometime in the 1920s. Exactly when and why is not known.

[usafphantom2]

German fighters from Jagdgeschwader 11 attack the American airfield near Asch, Belgium during the 1 January 1945 assault. Art by Jack Fellows.

@ron_eisele via X

[squadron-goals]

Finally off to Flanders

During summer 1917 Berthold sustained another serious injury, he was shot though the right calf.

15 August 1917

Now I have to start all over again. In Flanders, the English have so far dominated the air, so good fighter pilots are even more necessary than infantry. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my people of the Jasta 14 and go to Flanders alone. My new squadron first needs thorough flying training, I want to use the whole of August to practice. Already the English offensive begins to fizzle out like the French enterprise on the Aisne. At last my fight for a better organisation of the airmen is showing some success, since I have recently got the commander of the Flanders Army on my side: At my suggestion, four squadrons are always united into so-called fighter groups and these are placed under the leadership of old, proven fighter pilots.

20 August 1917

Today I received a picture and a few friendly lines from Prince Eitel Friedrich. A few weeks ago, when I was still with 14, I got to know the prince as a simple, natural person with a strict sense of duty. I had been to dinner with him one Sunday. There was only soup and a piece of meat with vegetables. No feasting and material ostentation, which might be a privilege for wretched parvenus, but downright Spartan-like, old Prussian simplicity! When I think of this, I realise that we Germans should be happy and grateful to have at the head of our empire a Hohenzollern dynasty that has not only led throughout the centuries, but also preserved a genuinely German way of life.

6 October 1917

My Jasta 18 has now become the core troupe. In September, it had already achieved 32 aerial victories. There is now no pilot without his own victory. This is not my doing, I merely trained them and led them to the enemy, showed them how to attack. The attack itself, the killing of the enemy, the main thing, is the achivement of the pilots. Their brilliant fulfilment shows what an outstanding spirit there is in the entire Jasta, in each individual! I quickly settled in at 18. Two old good friends are faithfully at my side: Seppl Veltjens and old Mr Dingel. If Seppl stays alive, he will achieve great successes. He is like a young hunting dog: he still hasn't got the hang of it, even though he has already made quite a nice number of kills. He still lacks the eyes and the calm, cold calculation in difficult moments. But I will teach him what is missing. Old Mr Dingel and Father Turck are loyal, they never let our Jasta down and, even if they don't shoot any more themselves, they often help more with their decent attitude. They are the guarantors that an impeccable tone, a decent conception and a right aviation spirit always remain alive in the Jasta. Every busy day of flying tires me out, so I can't devote as much time as I used to to the organization and the comradeship. Now it is the 4th time that the Jasta has cleaned up in the English bomb squadron which was considered unassailable! Apart from my opponent, 2 others have been brought down. It is my 28th! The mechanics are beaming. When we come back from a flight and there isn't a single enemy smashed up, they make a very reproachful face. The good guys!

Another severe injury!

On 10 October Berthold shot down his 29th opponent. In the process, he was shot in the upper right arm from the side, shattering the bone. He still managed to land safely, but had to be rescued unconscious from the machine. The serious injury could not be treated in the field hospital; Berthold was sent to a hospital in Berlin, where his sister Franziska was a head nurse. His wound is severe: the right upper arm is completely shattered, broken like an oak that has been struck by the deathblow. He has to spend 4 month in the hospital. On his insistance he returned to the front, where he lead the newly formed Jagdgeschwader 2. His arm was still not properly healed, painfull and lame. Still, on 28 Mai 1918 he shot down another victory. On 10 August 1918 he shot down his 44th victory but during the fight his plane is so damaged that he crashes. Badly injured again, with his right arm broken once more, he is taken to a field hospital from which he soon escapes. But soon wound fever sets in and he has to admit to himself that the war is over for him. He returns home.

[historical-babes]

Manfred von Richthofen (1892-1918).

German WWI flying ace AKA "Red Baron".

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Known in English as Baron von Richthofen, and most famously as the "Red Baron", he was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat.

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Originally a cavalryman, Richthofen transferred to the Air Service in 1915, becoming one of the first members of fighter squadron Jagdstaffel 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and during 1917 became leader of Jasta 11 and then the larger fighter wing unit Jagdgeschwader 1, better known as "The Flying Circus" or "Richthofen's Circus" because of the bright colours of its aircraft, and perhaps also because of the way the unit was transferred from one area of allied air activity to another – moving like a travelling circus, and frequently setting up in tents on improvised airfields. By 1918, Richthofen was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and respected by his enemies.

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Richthofen championed the development of the Fokker D.VII with suggestions to overcome the deficiencies of the current German fighter aircraft. He never had an opportunity to fly the new type in combat, as he was killed before it entered service.

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Richthofen sustained a serious head wound inJuly 1917, during combat near Wervik, Belgium, causing instant disorientation and temporary partial blindness. He regained his vision in time to ease the aircraft out of a spin and execute a forced landing in a field in friendly territory. The injury required multiple operations to remove bone splinters from the impact area.

The Red Baron returned to active service against doctor's orders on 25 July, but went on convalescent leave from 5 September to 23 October.

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During his convalescent leave, Richthofen completed an autobiographic sketch, Der rote Kampfflieger (The Red Fighter Pilot, 1917). Written on the instructions of the "Press and Intelligence" (propaganda) section of the Luftstreitkräfte (Air Force), it shows evidence of having been heavily censored and edited.

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Richthofen received a fatal wound on 21 April 1918 while flying over Morlancourt Ridge near the Somme River. At the time, he had been pursuing, at very low altitude, a Sopwith Camel piloted by novice Canadian pilot Lieutenant Wilfrid "Wop" May of No. 209 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The Baron was spotted and briefly attacked by a Camel piloted by May's school friend and flight commander, Canadian Captain Arthur "Roy" Brown. Richthofen turned to avoid this attack, and then resumed his pursuit of May.

It was almost certainly during this final stage in his pursuit of May that a bullet hit Richthofen, damaging his heart and lungs so severely that it must have caused a quick death. In the last seconds of his life, he managed to retain sufficient control to make a rough landing in a field on a hill near the Bray-Corbie road, just north of the village of Vaux-sur-Somme, in a sector defended by the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).

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There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, especially the circumstances of his death. He remains one of the most widely known fighter pilots of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films and other media.

[Submission]

[tintenspion]

List of “primary source” books about or including MvR

-Der rote Kampfflieger (1917): This is his “autobiography”. Im putting autobiography in quotation marks because he didn’t really write it. I don’t know how many people know about this, but he basically only gave bullet points and then someone else wrote the book. The editor was also allowed to change things without consulting MvR first. I would take literal quotations from that book with a tiny grain of salt.

-Ein Heldenleben (1920): I would consider this as one of the more reliable sources. Sadly the book is super rare and no english translation exists. It includes the original autobiography, a bunch of letters he wrote to his mother, a chapter where Lothar writes about his experiences with Manfred and in the war, a bunch of german, english and french obituaries, and a whole bunch of accounts by multiple people who knew/met MvR.

-Der Wall von Eisen und Feuer 3: Die letzten beiden Jahre (1920): Includes a chapter about early JaSta 11 in early 1917

-In der Luft unbesiegt (1923): This is a book that has several articles written by former pilots. It includes one article by Olt. Lampel who met MvR in 1918.

-Briefe eines deutschen Kampffliegers an ein junges Mädchen (1930): This book is the published letters of Erwin Böhme to his girlfriend. MvR is mentioned multiple times in there, as him and Böhme were friends, but otherwise the book gives good insight on the general life as a fighter pilot in ww1.

-Der rote Kampfflieger (1933): This is essentially the remastered version of DRK17 and Heldenleben. It also includes two more letters and a chapter by Bolko, Manfreds youngest brother. Definitely worth a read too, however they cut some chapters from the original Autobiography and from Lothars chapters.

-Mein Fliegerleben (1935): Ernst Udets Autobiography. Includes a chapter of Udets time in the JG1.

-Mein Kriegstagebuch (1936): This is the book written by Kunigunde von Richthofen, MvRs mother. It gives a good insight on MvR’s character, however Kunigunde is very biased. Of course, as a mother, she portrays him in the best light possible, and also theres some stuff in the book that is straight up made up. This might be due to censorship by the Nazis. However its still worth a read.

-Jagd in Flanderns Himmel (1935): Also known as the Bodenschatz Diaries, this book is a war diary of the Jagdgeschwader 1, written by MvR’s adjutant, Karl Bodenschatz. Also there is a lot of Nazi propaganda in there, but I think thats on me because my version is from 1941

Personally, I think the more reliable sources are the books published from 1919-1932, as those were not censored by any government. With MvR you really have to look at the time when the account was taken, because he really had a shift in character from 1917 to 1918.

I might update the list over time.

[warpicshistory]

Colorized photo of the planes of Richthofen’s famous Flying Circus (Jagdgeschwader 1). From June 1917 through November 1918 the Flying Circus claimed 644 Allied aircraft destroyed while losing 52 pilots killed in action and 67 wounded. https://www.instagram.com/p/BzVvtV-JkS5/?igshid=4oqjmdd5ll3k

[bmachine-blog1]

ACE 1 World and commander of the 51st jagdgeschwader during the 2nd World, General Theodor Osterkamp with his wife at his personal Messerschmitt Bf-108.