Spaatz v. Göring?

[Sylvester Stadler]

Presently I am reading Eric Hammel's book, The Road to Big Week, wherein the author claims that Major Carl Spaatz, who was the CO of the 8th AF, claimed two kills during WW I, which included Hermann Göring, although he cites no documentation for this assertion. The book, Bloody April...Black September, by Norman Franks, et al. states that Spaatz, with the 13th Aero, made his claims for German fighters on 15 and 26 (a Fokker out of control) September 1918. The recorded claims and biographies of the German aces are contained in another Franks book, Above the Lines, wherein it states that Göring scored his last kill on 18 July 1918 and thereafter ceased flying combat missions.

It would be interesting to know if Göring was actually in combat in September 1918 and the source of the claim that Spaatz encountered Göring during that month and shot him down.

[Nick Beale]

Try Peter Kilduff's book, "The Red Baron Combat Wing" which continues the history of the unit past Richthofen's death and through to its return to Germany and disbandment.

[Ruy Horta]

I've got most of these titles, I'll do a check this weekend.

Please remind me in a PM if I haven't by saturday.

[Sylvester Stadler]

Nick and Ruy:

The Kilduff book on JG1 is in my possession and I checked both the victory and casualty lists of which there are neither for those two dates. The text does not mention any combat activity for those dates either. The Hammel claim could only be a latrine rumor, originating during WW II.

S.S.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Sylvester

Don't be that certain. German files remaining today basically only list a pilot/observer if he was killed (and possibly wounded). This means all aerplanes shot down by Allies which were either destroyed or damaged but without casualties are not recorded.
Any/all such files giving aeroplane losses are lost as far as I know.

Cheers
Stig

[Sylvester Stadler]

Stig:

The burden of proof is on Eric Hammel who needs to come forth with his source which or who contends that Spaatz downed Göring.