Photo Albatros D.III (Oef)

[Stig Jarlevik]

Well Clint

Not sure what you mean with three alternatives, since I believe it served with Flik 24 all its life. It was delivered in (or at least about) June 1917 and beside a very short spell with Flik 48 (July-August) it was back again with Flik 24 late August 1917. Seems to me like it was on loan to Flik 48 and not really a true transfer as such.

None of the photos I could locate give any date and being over the southern Alpes I don't even want to make a guess which month we are talking about...

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hello Stig,


Based on my excel document and I'd need to check the sources again, I also have 53.33 serving with Alarmbereitschaft Pergine and Flik 48/D.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

OK Clint

My source is Peter Schiemer's Albatros book.
As you can see from my initial answer I also have Flik 48 which I believe only was a short term loan. The aircraft was assigned to Flik 24. My interpretation of the data supplied by Schiemer.

I have never heard of any Alarmbereitschaft Pergine before. It does not sound like a true unit, but more like something of a detachment one or more units had to perform at Pergine. Schiemer never mentions it but state Pergine was an airfield in use by the Albatros units.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


For Alarmbereitschaft Pergine see https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...ergine&f=false


If the link works.


In any event I've now found the photo I posted the link to in Paolo Varriale Austro-Hungarian Aces of World War 1 P.43which states "According to some sources this photograph portrays StFw Kiss..."


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Sorry Clint

I don't have the book Google refers to and I don't find anything readily in the link you posted.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hello Stig,


The book states Alarm-Bereitschaft Pergine was formed from Flik 48 along with Fliks 21 and 274 and was also known as Jagdstaffel Elssler in June 1917.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Clint

I have located the unit. It is mentioned in Grosz et al's book.
Seems to me to be an Austro-Hungarian answer to the German Jagdgeschwader.
Since a Flik was quite small, I suppose the number of aircraft was more corresponding to the German Staffel. Do you know who this chap Elssler was?
Could he be a German pilot seconded to the southern front to help the Austro-Hungarians?

Anyway, I am pretty certain it did not have any aircraft of its own. Those Fliks that were incorporated at Pergine kept their aircraft. From the title one may also deduce that they kept aircraft on constant alert for rapid take off and interception of Italian-British units.

Cheers
Stig