Friedhold Leitner has had a tough introduction to the front.

Diary entries...

20 mai 1917
Jasta 23, Autremencourt

We have suffered heavy casualties, and the mess is quiet. Today only Ltn Haussmann, Fw Ihm, and I were able to report for duty. Our task was to escort three two-seaters south to the lines near Reims. We met with our lovely ladies and took them by the arm over the lines, but our stroll was ruined by five French Nieuports. The DFWs turned home and I began a turn to follow them, but then saw that Ltn Haussman was leading us to attack the Frenchies five miles over their lines.

I turned to join the fight and saw Fw Ihm go down in flames almost immediately. Two of the enemy broke off, and I saw Ltn Haussmann heading home, streaming smoke. The remaining three Nieuports climbed to meet me. I think I damaged one in the first pass, because after that I saw only two more. We shot pieces out of one another for nearly ten minutes before I had a chance to separate and head home.

One of the Nieuports followed me about a kilometre north, but turned home as I crossed back into German territory. Good thing too, as about a minute later the engine began making odd metallic sounds and lost power. I was able to glide down and find a not too level road to land on.

21 mai 1917
Sunny. Some cloud.

Still only three aircraft available: Ltn Haussmann in a replacement Albatros, Fw Wöhrle (a new arrival), and me. Dispatched 0700 hrs to defend our field at Sissons. We patrolled over the field for ten minutes before spotting five British Sopwith scouts diving on us. The Sopwiths are light and turn well although we have a speed and gun advantage. Two chose me for their dance, and I happily traded head-on passes knowing my two Spandaus were so superior to their Vickers Knallbüchse!

There were heavy bursts from local Flakartillerie all around, as there were army installations in the area. I damaged one Sopwith, got on its tail, and fired short bursts until it fell and crashed in a field. Another attacked me, but it was already smoking from ground fire and it stalled and crash-landed. I claimed the first Sopwith as it was obviously mine, but this afternoon learned that credit for both Englanders went to the Army gunners! Such is war.

Hauptmann Backhaus invited me for a drink after lunch and asked me how I would feel if I were made an officer. I told him that I would be honoured, but the greatest pleasure would be informing my parents. He said it could take a long time, but he would look into it. We are awaiting new pilots and may be non-operational until we get them. The time will be used moving our quarters to the Chateau while we await new arrivals from the Fliegerersatzkompagnie.

Tonight I caught a drive to Vervins and dined in a small hotel I had noticed when I arrived here by train. It stands close by the station. The proprietor, a fussy little woman around sixty, apologized profusely that their choices were so few. “Les Boches,” she said (quite forgetting who she was talking to), “ils ont mangé tout!” Still, there were some sausages that tasted suspiciously German and she made an excellent omelette, and the beer was Belgian and quite good. On the return, I got two army drivers to give me a wagon ride home.


"I damaged one Sopwith, got on its tail, and fired short bursts until it fell and crashed in a field."


Parade in main square -- Vervins