Cheering and clapping all around, then Berthold unexpectedly calls everyone to attention.
“Visefeldwebel Eber…come forward!”
He reads the citation and pins the Eisernes Kreuz erser Klass on my tunic. I had no idea he had recommended me for it.
Medals really have little meaning for me, having been awarded so many over the centuries as far back as my days as an Optio in Augustus’ army but I do value the acknowledgement.
Perhaps, someday, I can pawn it and get enough to buy a pack of cigarettes.
*These statements and the tally are from Berthold’s diary and are not supported by existing documentation. The September victories for Berthold’s Jagdgruppe 7 show only 55 aircraft and no captive balloons, as follows – Jasta 18 - 30 aircraft; Jasta 24 – 10 aircraft; Jasta 36 – ten aircraft.
“Iron Man, Rudolf Berthold” by Peter Kilduff
Osprey “Jasta 18; the Red Noses,” Greg VanWyngarden
It is possible that he was including a number of zur Landung gezwungen and victories that were not yet determined.
The Pfalz is discussed quite a bit between all the pilots present. The overall impression is negative because it’s so underpowered. The Pfalz just isn’t going to cut it against the older British models much less the new ones. Everyone seems to want the new Dreidecker.
I've seen the Dreidecker in action and was indeed impressed, but I still don't want one.
I’m very much in the minority on these issues but I agree that the Pfalz has some issues that should have been addressed before it was sent to the front. Berthold is in the know about this and says there will be an improved model soon.
Caption – this is a Pfalz from the Personal Skins by Jerbear. It is another of the new model Pfalz that will be available, hopefully, soon.
The French newspapers are reporting that their military have finally released the information that Georges Guynemer was killed on 11 Sep and there is much discussion of him and a toast to a valiant foe.
German sources have told us weeks ago that a Ltn Wissemann from Jasta 3 was supposed to have gotten him over Poelkapelle He was flying one of the new 200 hp SPADs.
Wissemann himself was shot down on the 28th. He fell behind British lines and is reported dead.
We are having mittagessen* in the Kasino as the sirens begin to howl.
We race to our machines, most of which have been refueled after the last patrol, and struggle into our flying clothes.
Berthold gives us a short briefing. A flight of bombers has come across the lines and is believed to be coming straight toward Kortrejk.
What seems like seconds later we are all sitting in our birds. While the Schwarzer Mann fasten the seat belts, the machines start and the choir of Mercedes engines roar across the field.
“Take them away!” The chocks fly from in front of the wheels and the power of 160 horses pushes our fragile wood and linen Kisten forward.
Jasta 24's new Albatros DVs can be seen warming up as we rise into the air.
Ltn d R Arthur Rahn,, though he has just come back from his orientation flight, is with us in a DV Albatros. He was assigned to us from Jasta 19 today and has three Luftsiege to his credit.
We turn about and continue to climb, reaching 5,200 meters by the time we spot the five D.H. 4s a few hundred meters below us and somewhat to the north east, going home.
Berthold leads us over them, then signals the attack and we all turn quickly behind the De Havallands.
As we pick our targets, our comrades from Twenty-four come on the scene and join the ball.*
Der Eiserne brings one of the big machines down over Roulers.**
*Staffel’s are sometimes referred to in conversation by their number only.
**Number 57 Squadron Airco D.H.4 A.7581. 2/Lt Colin Green Orr MacAndrew, pilot and observer Leicester Philip Sidney killed. Berthold’s 28th Luftsieg. “Iron Man, Rudolf Berthold” by Peter Kilduff
CAPTION – Cpt. David S. Hall, flying with observer 2/Lt Hartigan in D.H.4 A.7568, described one of the “V-strutted Albatros scouts” that attacked them as being dark, “some with red cowlings, one with a gilt circular marking the shape of a chrysanthemum.”
This description was the basis for Sigi Keller’s marking.
Osprey “Jasta 18; the Red Noses,” Greg VanWyngarden
This D.H.4 skin is that of the above mentioned Captain Hall.
Kleffel sent another of the bombers crashing down into Roulers, then, overcome with eagerness, chases another into the distance, firing at long range.*
*D.H.4 A.7451, crewed by 2/Lt Clifford Richard Brice Halley, 19 years old, and Airman 1st Class Thomas Joseph Barlow, age twenty-four, killed. “Iron Man, Rudolf Berthold” by Peter Kilduff
We land to find another newcomer, Hans-Rudolf von Decker. He’s to be given the second Pfalz that everyone tried out last week.
A phone message is received while we are landing. Kleffel has been wounded and made an emergency landing.
We visit him in the hospital and find out what happened.
He chased the D.H.4 all the way to the Houlthustwald*
As the D.H.4 approached its own lines, the pilot throttled down, allowing Kleffel’s Albatros to approach within 100 meters.
CAPTION – This WOFF Skin Pack skin D.H.4 skin is that of Alexander Roulston of No. 57 Squadron.
At that point, the pilot turned his machine to allow the observer to fire a burst. One of the rounds found Kleffel’s calf and he went down in an end over end spin but made a good landing within our lines.*
*This incident with Kleffel is semi-fictional. Cpt Hall wrote about the actions of the D.H.4 crew and I put Kleffel in the place of the unknown German pilot.
There is some uncertainty as to exactly when, on the 2nd, Kleffel was wounded.
This morning we have low clouds, heavy winds and it’s pouring rain.
Before dawn the intensity of the shell fire increases to the roar of drum fire. It is assumed that this is one of the numerous counter-attacks the Feldgrauen have been conducting during these last few weeks.
It is, it turns out, a massive push by the Tommies to try to complete the capture of the Gheluvelt Plateau.*
Our troops, who were in position for a counter-attack, were caught in the open and are being decimated.
Berthold receives calls from the Divisions and Army that the enemy aircraft are up, supporting their troops and they need us. The air over the battlefield must be denied the enemy.
So we fly in the storms.
The mist and low clouds are so dense we can hardly see each other, much less find the enemy.
We chase after everything bearing cockades we see but it’s impossible in this dense pea soup.
The formation becomes completely fragmented.
I’m alone and have no idea if I’m over our territory, or Ententeland.* Verfranzt.
*In Fliegersprache, (aviator slang), differentiation between the two sides of the line were often referred to as ‘Germany’ and ‘Ententeland.’ “Memoirs of German Pilots in the First World War/Volume 3, Translated by Jason Crouthamel.