Albatros C.Ia(Bay) of Freikorps Schwaben, seized from Spartacists at Sonthofen and flown to Memmingen, 26-27 April 1919.

One of Flugstaffel Freikorps Schwaben's two Albatros C.Ia aircraft, seized from the Reds at Sonthofen. (Author's collection)

Albatros C.III, Gersthofen FA, Kempten, May 1919

The twin steeples of Kempten's St. Lorenz Basilica form the background of this photo of the aircraft of the Gersthofen FliegerAbteilung, stationed there mid-May 1919. The Alb. C.III sports a blue and white cockade and tail sunburst; Hannover CL.II (Rol) 695/18 appears to have a similar cockade on its fuselage, but it is scuffed up, probably by the gunner climbing into and out of his cockpit. (Greg VanWyngarden)

"Flughalle Deuthen". Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18 is in the left foreground; other aircraft in the hangar include Rumpler C.Is, Albatros C.IIIs and LVG C.VIs. At least four iterations of the iron cross marking are in evidence here. (Michael Seidel)

The Inter-Allied Baltic Commission intercepted a shipment of German aircraft on its arrival in East Prussia and returned it to Lithuania. This train carried LVG C.VI 12017/18 (ex-FA 433), Halb. C.V (Av) 6859/18, Alb. D.III (OAW) D.5160/17, LVG C.V 9652/17, one DFW C.V, and three Alb. J.IIs. (Moshe Bukhman)

Inter-Allied Baltic Commission personnel inspect aircraft after their return from East Prussia to Lithuania. German sabotage is evident - Albatros D.III (OAW) 5160/17 has what appears to be two axe cuts in its fuselage. Its oversize military serial indicates it had served as a training machine before finding its way to the Baltic. (Moshe Bukhman)

The evergreen tree insignia on the sleeves of two of the fliers identifies them as members of the Grenzschutztruppen des XVII. (Westpreussisches) Armeekorps, so C.X 1911/17 was most likely a transfer to FA 411 at Graudenz. Its rudder and fin don't appear to carry a cross marking. (Author's collection)

Albatros C.XII 1144/17, FA 426 / Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 38, Suwalki, 1919

Albatros C.XII 1911/17, Ex-Beobachter Schule Stolp, FA 411, Graudenz, August 1919.

Albatros C.XII 1144/17. Some sources have identified this plane as belonging to FA 425, but the lake-studded terrain below is more reminiscent of the area around Suwalki, home base of FA 426. (August Blume)

August 1919: Albatros C.XII 1911/17, marked "Beob. Sch. [Observer School] Stolp." Although Stolp was situated within Grenzschutz Ost's jurisdiction, it was not one of its military airbases. The Albatros bears mismatched wing panels and a mixture of cross markings - patee on the wing and balken on the fuselage. (Author's collection)

In the last week of April, FA 433 moved to Alienhof on the outskirts of Tuckum, where it was joined by Staffel Fick. On close examination, the dismantled aircraft on the left, possibly an Albatros C.I or C.III, appears to have a white square painted over its fuselage insignia. The Alb. D.V on the right retains its German crosses. (Das Buch der deutschen Freikorpskampfer)

Albatros C.XV 7818/18, Graf Keller Corps, West Russian Army, Autumn 1919.

Albatros C.XV 7815/18, with what appears to be a Russian Orthodox cross beneath the left lower wing. In its long career, it served five masters - Germany, the West Russian Army, Lithuania, Central Lithuania and Poland. (Moshe Bukhman)

The Inter-Allied Baltic Commission intercepted a shipment of German aircraft on its arrival in East Prussia and returned it to Lithuania. This train carried LVG C.VI 12017/18 (ex-FA 433), Halb. C.V (Av) 6859/18, Alb. D.III (OAW) D.5160/17, LVG C.V 9652/17, one DFW C.V, and three Alb. J.IIs. (Moshe Bukhman)

DFW C.V, FA 426, Suwalki, May 1919.

Freikorps Oberland's DFW C.6991/17 and its crew. Nurnberg, May 1919. (Author's collection)

FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120 is a typical example of an aviation unit that fielded an assortment of different aircraft types in the second half of 1919. In this photo, L to R, Fokker D.VIII, Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17, Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18, Hannover CL.II or CL.III, DFW C.V and LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

The Inter-Allied Baltic Commission intercepted a shipment of German aircraft on its arrival in East Prussia and returned it to Lithuania. This train carried LVG C.VI 12017/18 (ex-FA 433), Halb. C.V (Av) 6859/18, Alb. D.III (OAW) D.5160/17, LVG C.V 9652/17, one DFW C.V, and three Alb. J.IIs. (Moshe Bukhman)

This DFW C.V met a similar fate 24 May at the Suwalki airfield. The white nose was the unit marking. (Author's collection)

Scenes like this were not the immediate outcome of the Armistice. Over sixteen months would pass before the Inter-Allied Aeronautical Commission of Control had the authority to order the destruction of Germany's aviation material. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Last stop for the German air force - the scrap heap. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Fokker D.VII (OAW), Fl. Abt. 418, 1919

Lt. d. R. Otto Weisshaar Fokker D.VII, FA Haas

Comet-marked Fokker D.VII, FA Haas

Fokker D.VII (OAW) Ltn. Richard Kraut, Fl. Abt 434 / Truppenfliegerstaffel, 9 Graudenz, 1919.

Fokker D.VII (OAW), Fliegerhorst Horst, Emscher, March 1920

Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18, FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120, Grenzschutz Allenstein, Deuthen, 1919

Paul Aue seated on Fokker D.VII F 5136/18, apparently about to conduct a wreath dropping. The ribbon on the floral wreath bears the words "Fliegerstaffel" and "Maercker". The occasion may have been Defense Minister Noske's visit. Aue wears a looped chevron, indicating his rank of Offizier-stellvertreter in the Provisional Reichswehr. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8448/18, FA 423, Weimar. Plenty of D.VIIs remained in Germany even though the Allies demanded "all of the D 7's". (Paul Rempe)

"Flughalle Deuthen". Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18 is in the left foreground; other aircraft in the hangar include Rumpler C.Is, Albatros C.IIIs and LVG C.VIs. At least four iterations of the iron cross marking are in evidence here. (Michael Seidel)

FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120 is a typical example of an aviation unit that fielded an assortment of different aircraft types in the second half of 1919. In this photo, L to R, Fokker D.VIII, Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17, Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18, Hannover CL.II or CL.III, DFW C.V and LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18 outside the Deuthen hangar, along with three LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

FA 431's inventory included this OAW-built Fokker D.VII. (August Qoos album via Greg VanWyngarden)

Fokker D.VII (OAW) of FA 418/Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 27. The trident or pitchfork personal marking calls to mind the D.VII of Jasta 43's Otto Creutzmann and Josef Raesch, but neither pilot is known to have served with the Freikorps. (Greg VanWyngarden)
This photograph shows a D.VII of Truppenfliegerstaffel 27, which later became Fliegerabt. 418, in German service post-Armistice. The machine bears the pilot's trident insignia and 'H' on the wing centre section. Note the numeral '5' under the tailplane.

Another photo of the Fokker D.VII (OAW) of FA 418 / Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 27. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Another photo of the Fokker D.VII (OAW) of FA 418/ Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 27. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Another view of the scene shown on page 45. Lt. d. R. Otto Weisshaar of FA Haas with his Fokker D.VII. The oak branch on the fuselage is patterned after the collar insignia of the parent Freikorps, wurttembergische Freiwillige Abteilung Haas. (Tobias Weber via Hannes Taeger)

Lt. d. R. Otto Weisshaar of FA Haas with his Fokker D.VII. The oak branch on the fuselage is patterned after the collar insignia of the parent Freikorps, wurttembergische Freiwillige Abteilung Haas. In the background is another D.VII, marked with a comet. (Tobias Weber via Hannes Taeger)

A closer look at Lt. d. R. Weisshaar's oak branch-marked Fokker D.VII with him in the cockpit. (Tobias Weber via Hannes Taeger)

Vzfw. Fritz Lebiedz and pup with a Fokker D.VII. Lebiedz had been a pilot with FFA 56 and FA (A) 212.

Same unit, some of the same flyers posing with a Fokker D.VII inside the hangar. A Rumpler C.IV is in the background. (Author's collection)

Lt. d. R. Richard Kraut, Lt. d. R. Alfred Brocke, and Ltn. Heydt of FA 434/Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 9, Graudenz. Kraut was one of the rare postwar flyers to put a personal marking on his machine. His "K"on a black rectangle was inspired by his Jasta 63 insignia, interlaced "R"&"K" on a black background. (Author's collection)

FA 434 observer Ltn. Heidt sees what the view is like from the front seat. Aircraft is the Fokker D.VII (OAW) of his Abteilung mate, Lt. d. R. Richard Kraut. Site is Fliegerhorst Thorn. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Airfield of FA 406/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 127 near Meseritz. Aircraft in this photo appear to include four LVG C.VI, two Fokker D.VII, one Junkers CL.I, and one small two-seater, perhaps a Halberstadt CL.IV. (Author's collection)

The airfield at Horst-Emscher was home to a unit believed to be involved in putting down the Red Ruhr uprising. Its lineup includes two Halberstadt CL.IV, including Roland-built 9508, and three each Fokker D.VII and LVG C.VI. (Author's Collection)

Thirteen LVG C.VI machines are lined up for review, numbers 1 (7766/18) and 4 closest to the camera. Two white streamers are attached to their lower right wings. Behind the Fokker D.VII on the right are three additional aircraft. Two appear to be LVG C.VIs; the unmarked rudder showing behind the D.VII may belong to a Halberstadt CL.IV. (Paul Rempe)

Fokker D.VII of FA 423/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 116 over the unit's airfield in Weimar. (Paul Rempe)

Air-to-air shot of one of FA 423 / Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 116's Fokker D.VIIs. (Paul Rempe)

Two Fokker D.VIIs of FA 423 over the snowy landscape of central Germany. The lower machine carries a white streamer on its lower right wing. (Paul Rempe)

Fokker D.VII stunting over FA 424's tent hangars.

Lithuania's treasure trove of German aircraft found a new home in the Aleksotas airship shed, itself formerly German property. At the bottom center is the ill-fated Friedrichshafen G.IIIa bomber under reconstruction. Other identifiable aircraft are Fokker D.VII, Halberstadt CL.II and IV, DFW C.V, LVG C.V, Albatros C.III, C.XV, and J.II. Fifth aircraft to the right of the Friedrichshafen is the Halberstadt CL.IV shown in the accompanying profile. (Moshe Bukhman)

Erich Schaefer (third from right) and Ju. D.I 3188/18 at Peterfeld, 9 October 1919. A Fokker D.VII is in the background.

Fokker D.VIII, Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 103 Doberitz, 1919.

FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120 is a typical example of an aviation unit that fielded an assortment of different aircraft types in the second half of 1919. In this photo, L to R, Fokker D.VIII, Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17, Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18, Hannover CL.II or CL.III, DFW C.V and LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

This well-known photo of the "Doberitz Jagdstaffel" most likely Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 103, dates from 15 August 1919, less than two weeks before the unit was to be disbanded. Fokker D.VIII #5 displays a tactical number characteristic of the Marine Jagdstaffeln in Flanders. (Greg VanWyngarden)

This damaged photo of a flying club in Grafendorf, a village in Lower Franconia, east of Frankfurt a. M., seems to show where #5 found a new home. Lucky club - it was blessed with highly advanced equipment. Dispersion to obscure locations was a common practice to conceal aircraft from the Armistice Commission inspectors. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Fokker D.VIII and personnel of FA 410. This may be the same machine portrayed in the Abteilung's lineup photo. If so, it has lost its wheel covers, and its fuselage and the underside of its wings appear to have been overpainted in a solid dark color. (Michael Seidel)

Coincidentally, this ad touted the Fokker D.VIII as "Das ideale Sport-Flugzeug". Could this have been the inspiration for the Grafendorf move? (Author's Collection)

Lithuania's treasure trove of German aircraft found a new home in the Aleksotas airship shed, itself formerly German property. At the bottom center is the ill-fated Friedrichshafen G.IIIa bomber under reconstruction. Other identifiable aircraft are Fokker D.VII, Halberstadt CL.II and IV, DFW C.V, LVG C.V, Albatros C.III, C.XV, and J.II. Fifth aircraft to the right of the Friedrichshafen is the Halberstadt CL.IV shown in the accompanying profile. (Moshe Bukhman)

Wrecked Halberstadt CL.II of FA 406/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 127 at Meseritz. This is likely the machine in which Fritz Kalbreier lost his life 1 July 1919. (Author's collection)

A typical photo of the personnel of an unidentified Freikorps Flieger Abteilung and its Halberstadt CL.IV, (C.V ???) 1908/18. The divide between officers and enlisted personnel was largely erased under the new republic, and these units were noted for their cohesiveness.

The Inter-Allied Baltic Commission intercepted a shipment of German aircraft on its arrival in East Prussia and returned it to Lithuania. This train carried LVG C.VI 12017/18 (ex-FA 433), Halb. C.V (Av) 6859/18, Alb. D.III (OAW) D.5160/17, LVG C.V 9652/17, one DFW C.V, and three Alb. J.IIs. (Moshe Bukhman)

Hit by Estonian ground fire, Halberstadt C.V(Av) 6905/18 of KG Sachsenberg, nosed over in a field behind a broadcloth factory between the Sala railway station and the Yamburg road east of Narva (Yudenich's territory) on 9 June 1919. The plane was apparently crewed by pilot Vzfw. Preis and observer Lt. Friedrich von Patze on a diplomatic mission from Riga. Preis was dressing Patze's wounds when shot and severely injured by an Estonian soldier. Both men were arrested and placed in a POW camp, where Preis was severely mistreated despite his wounds. He was freed by the Danish Red Cross on 12 August 1921, but Patze remained behind until September. Damage to the aircraft was substantial, hence it was never repaired nor flown, although issued Estonian serial '12' "under repairs" in 1921. It was declared derelict in 1922 and written off in 1923. (Peter M. Grosz collection/STDB)

Halberstadt CL.IV (Rol) 8176/18, FA 426, Suwalki, 1919.

Halberstadt CL.IV (Rol) 9455/18 '2', 3. Marine Brigade

Halberstadt CL.IV(Rol.) 9494/18, FA 406 / Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 27

Halberstadt CL. IV of 3rd (Lowenfeld) Marine Brigade, Dorsten, March - April 1920

Halberstadt CL.IV, possibly ex-FA 426/Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 38/2. Plastun Aviation Division, Russian Westarmee. Remains among Lithuanian war booty at Aleksotas airship shed, 1920.

Halb. CL.IV (Rol) 9432/18, Off.-stv. Fritz Schulz, Lithuanian Air Service, Aleksotas, 1919.

Halberstadt CL.IV (Rol.), FA 432/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 103, Freikorps Hulsen, Potsdam, July 1919.

Halberstadt CL.IV, Polizei-Fliegerstaffel, Hamburg, 1919.

Two of FA 424's flyers posing with Halberstadt CL.IV (Rol.) 8167/18. This photo shows up many of the Halberstadt's construction details to good advantage.

Oblt. Weinschenck and three of his enlisted men posing with Halberstadt CL.IV (Rol) 8176/18 at Suwalki. This aircraft and the one to its left sport FA 426's white nose marking. (Greg Vanwygarden)
Halberstadt CL.IV(Rol) 8176/18 with white nose of postwar Freikorps unit FA 426 at Radziwilliszki, Lithuania in September 1919. The white nose was the unit marking. The man in light colored jacket is Abteilungsfuhrer Oblt. Hellmuth Weinschenck. The remains of this aircraft were captured by Lithuanians on 21.11.1919. (Peter M. Grosz collection/STDB)

Halberstadt CL.IV (Rol.) 9494/18 of FA 406/Truppen-Fliegerstaffel 27. The CL.IV was widely used by the postwar Abteilungen, and based on photographic evidence, Roland-built examples predominated. (Author's collection)

The airfield at Horst-Emscher was home to a unit believed to be involved in putting down the Red Ruhr uprising. Its lineup includes two Halberstadt CL.IV, including Roland-built 9508, and three each Fokker D.VII and LVG C.VI. (Author's Collection)

Halb. CL IV of 3rd (Lowenfeld) Marine Brigade.

Halberstadt CL.IV of the Fliegerabteilung of the III Marine Brigade (Lowenfeld) photographed at Dorsten. The inscription on this photo leaves no doubt about where and when. The written text on the photo refers to "Kapputsch"; no doubt this refers to the "Kapp-Putsch", which dates the photos to mid-March 1920. (Peter M. Grosz collection/STDB)

Airfield of FA 406/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 127 near Meseritz. Aircraft in this photo appear to include four LVG C.VI, two Fokker D.VII, one Junkers CL.I, and one small two-seater, perhaps a Halberstadt CL.IV. (Author's collection)

Lithuania's treasure trove of German aircraft found a new home in the Aleksotas airship shed, itself formerly German property. At the bottom center is the ill-fated Friedrichshafen G.IIIa bomber under reconstruction. Other identifiable aircraft are Fokker D.VII, Halberstadt CL.II and IV, DFW C.V, LVG C.V, Albatros C.III, C.XV, and J.II. Fifth aircraft to the right of the Friedrichshafen is the Halberstadt CL.IV shown in the accompanying profile. (Moshe Bukhman)

Halberstadt CL.IV "Els'chen" of Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 103, formerly FA 432. The two men lying in the grass are wearing sweaters bearing patches reading Fl J 103. This, together with their shorts and knee socks, suggests they belonged to the Stoffel's football team

Halberstadt CL.IV of Polizei-Fliegerstaffel Hamburg at Flugplatz Blankensee bei Lubeck (Greg VanWyngarden)

On 13 April, Feldwebel Bachert wrecked this Halberstadt CL.IV within sight of FA 426's hangars and barracks. A Roland-built CL.IV, sharing the same white nose, stands in the distance. (Brian Lewis)
Halberstadt CL.IV of FliegerAbteilung 426 crashed by Vzfw. Bachert at Suwalki on 13 April, 1919. The photo shows details of its upper wing center section with radiator offset to the right of centerline and fuel tank at left. (Peter M. Grosz collection/STDB)

Wreckage of Halb. CL.IV (Rol) 9432/18, in which Fritz Schulz lost his life 28 September. The officer seated in the rear of the car is an American, apparently a representative of the Inter-Allied Armistice Commission. (Moshe Bukhman)

Hannover CL.II (Rol) 695/18, Gersthofen FA, Kempten, May 1919

Hannover CL.IIIa, C.70XX, Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 121, Freikorps Epp, Schleissheim, Bavaria, 1919.

FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120 is a typical example of an aviation unit that fielded an assortment of different aircraft types in the second half of 1919. In this photo, L to R, Fokker D.VIII, Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17, Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18, Hannover CL.II or CL.III, DFW C.V and LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

The twin steeples of Kempten's St. Lorenz Basilica form the background of this photo of the aircraft of the Gersthofen FliegerAbteilung, stationed there mid-May 1919. The Alb. C.III sports a blue and white cockade and tail sunburst; Hannover CL.II (Rol) 695/18 appears to have a similar cockade on its fuselage, but it is scuffed up, probably by the gunner climbing into and out of his cockpit. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Flying personnel of Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 121, formerly FA A2, attached to the von Epp Freikorps, pose with one of the unit's Hannover CL.IIIa ground attack aircraft. The unit insignia, a white disc on a black diamond painted over the fuselage cross, was inspired by the von Epp Freikorps' uniform sleeve insignia, a lion's head medallion sewn onto a black felt diamond. (Author's collection)

Junkers CL.I 12921 /18 "V", Staffel Majewski, Kampfgeschwader Sachsenberg (4. Plastun Aviation Division), Peterfeld, Autumn 1919.

Junkers CL.I "M", Ltn. Bruno Majewski? FA 417, Kampfgeschwader Sachsenberg, Wainoden, March 1919.

Junkers CL.I (Jfa) 12608/18 of FA 431, with Uffz. August Qoos in the pilot's seat. The CL.I's monoplane configuration tended to make it look small - unless humans were present to give it a sense of scale. (August Qoos album via Greg VanWyngarden)

Ju. CL.I (Jfa) 12609/18 of FA 431, being inspected by Hpt. Ernst Otto Eberstein (in cockpit) and his O.z.b.V., Ltn. Martin, standing on the wing. An LVG C.V or C.VI is in the background.

Airfield of FA 406/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 127 near Meseritz. Aircraft in this photo appear to include four LVG C.VI, two Fokker D.VII, one Junkers CL.I, and one small two-seater, perhaps a Halberstadt CL.IV. (Author's collection)

Two Junkers CL.Is of the FliegerAbteilung A17, Kampfgeschwader Sachsenberg, over Kurland. Other copies of this photo bear the inscription "Marz 1919", dating it to a two or three week period after the Geschwader's arrival in Kurland.

Detail from another photo of the lead aircraft, apparently taken during the same flight. This enlarged, digitally enhanced image reveals the squat letter"M"on the white fuselage band.The letter's significance isn't known, but might indicate this plane was the personal mount of the Abteilungsfuhrer, Ltn. Bruno Majewski.

Propping a Ju.D.I at Wainoden. The airship docking rail made a useful wheel chock.
Kampfgeschwader Sachsenberg's first base was the airship station at Wainoden in Kurland. Equipped with the latest products of the German aviation industry and using Schlachtstaffel tactics, it provided valuable support for the ground forces. Here using the airship shed guidance rails as chocks is a Junkers D I all-metal cantilever single-seater, with an LVG C VI and two Junkers CL I two-seaters in the background.

Last stop for the German air force - the scrap heap. (Greg VanWyngarden)

Ju. CL.I 12921/18 "V" on its nose at Peterfeld. After the Germans'departure, the machine was taken over by the Latvian airforce.

Vizeflugmeister Hermann Hackbusch poses with his handiwork - Junkers CL.112600/18, nose down in the snow. (AHT AL0752-015)

Hackbusch wasn't the only pilot to be embarrassed on the snow-covered airfield - the same day, Vzfw. Fritz Todheide bellied in his Ju. CL.I less than 100 meters away. (AHT AL0752-012)

Ju. CL.I "M" met its end at Peterfeld in June. As noted earlier, this might have been Majewski's personal aircraft, but details of the markings suggest it was not the same machine that flew out of Wainoden in the Spring.

Mud bests metal - FA 431 Junkers CL.I overturned on rough ground. (August Qoos album via Greg VanWyngarden)

The wreck of this FA 417 Ju. CL.I testifies to the intensity of the 22 May battle for Riga. Because of their all-metal construction, Junkers machines were expected to better resist combat damage and were preferred for the dirtiest low altitude work. However, they were not armored and probably fared little better than their wood and fabric counterparts. Records make no mention of deaths of any flyers serving with FA 417 or on loan to FA 433 that day, but it's difficult to believe anyone survived this crash. (SDTB)

Lineup of Junkers D.Is at Peterfeld, 9 October 1919, the day after Bermondt launched his ill-fated assault on Riga.

Erich Schaefer (third from right) and Ju. D.I 3188/18 at Peterfeld, 9 October 1919. A Fokker D.VII is in the background.

Propping a Ju.D.I at Wainoden. The airship docking rail made a useful wheel chock.
Kampfgeschwader Sachsenberg's first base was the airship station at Wainoden in Kurland. Equipped with the latest products of the German aviation industry and using Schlachtstaffel tactics, it provided valuable support for the ground forces. Here using the airship shed guidance rails as chocks is a Junkers D I all-metal cantilever single-seater, with an LVG C VI and two Junkers CL I two-seaters in the background.

Ex-Sachsenberg aircraft at Peterfeld - a Ju D.I, two SSW D.IVs, an LVG C.VI, and two others, one of which appears to be an Albatros D.V. The LVG is marked with the letter "M", similar to the one applied to one of the Geschwader's Junkers CL.Is.

Roland D.VIb 7535/18, FA 406/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 127, Meseritz, 1919

The Roland D.VIb was a rare bird among Freikorps aircraft. Like its FA 406 companion Halberstadt shown above, D.7535/18 has been stripped of its fuselage and tail crosses. (Author's collection)

The Inter-Allied Baltic Commission intercepted a shipment of German aircraft on its arrival in East Prussia and returned it to Lithuania. This train carried LVG C.VI 12017/18 (ex-FA 433), Halb. C.V (Av) 6859/18, Alb. D.III (OAW) D.5160/17, LVG C.V 9652/17, one DFW C.V, and three Alb. J.IIs. (Moshe Bukhman)

LVG C.VI 7766/18, #1, FA 423 / Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 116, Weimar, 1919.

LVG C.VI 12017/18, FA 433, Baltic Landeswehr, Kurland, 1919.

LVG C.VI 'M', Kampfgeschwader Sachsenberg, November 1919.

LVG C.VI 9092/18, Lithuanian Aviation Company, Aleksotas, 1919

Reichswehr Minister Noske (center, wearing pork pie hat) looks on as Frau Noske peers into the gunner's cockpit of LVG C.VI 7766/18. (Paul Rempe)

Thirteen LVG C.VI machines are lined up for review, numbers 1 (7766/18) and 4 closest to the camera. Two white streamers are attached to their lower right wings. Behind the Fokker D.VII on the right are three additional aircraft. Two appear to be LVG C.VIs; the unmarked rudder showing behind the D.VII may belong to a Halberstadt CL.IV. (Paul Rempe)

Kommandeur (Major) Hoffmann of the Baltic Landeswehr in a flying suit, about to board the observer's cockpit of LVG C.VI 9037/18 for a look at activities on the Front. Date is probably 19 March 1919, although the photo is dated May.

Weimar-Lindenberg Airfield, home base of FA 423/ Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 116. Two of the Staffel's LVG C.VI aircraft sit in front of the hangars. The building to the left of the large hangar is the prewar hotel. It housed the unit's offices and mess. (Paul Rempe)

Airfield of FA 406/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 127 near Meseritz. Aircraft in this photo appear to include four LVG C.VI, two Fokker D.VII, one Junkers CL.I, and one small two-seater, perhaps a Halberstadt CL.IV. (Author's collection)

The airfield at Horst-Emscher was home to a unit believed to be involved in putting down the Red Ruhr uprising. Its lineup includes two Halberstadt CL.IV, including Roland-built 9508, and three each Fokker D.VII and LVG C.VI. (Author's Collection)

Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18 outside the Deuthen hangar, along with three LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120 is a typical example of an aviation unit that fielded an assortment of different aircraft types in the second half of 1919. In this photo, L to R, Fokker D.VIII, Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17, Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18, Hannover CL.II or CL.III, DFW C.V and LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

Oblt. Martin (second from left) with some of FA 424's pilots and ground crew by an LVG C.VI. The fuselage and serial number appear to have been repainted.

The LVG C.VI saw wide use in the air units of the Freikorps and Provisional Reichswehr. This shot of an FA 424 pilot posing with one provides an excellent look at its nose details, including its Astra propeller.

Propping a Ju.D.I at Wainoden. The airship docking rail made a useful wheel chock.
Kampfgeschwader Sachsenberg's first base was the airship station at Wainoden in Kurland. Equipped with the latest products of the German aviation industry and using Schlachtstaffel tactics, it provided valuable support for the ground forces. Here using the airship shed guidance rails as chocks is a Junkers D I all-metal cantilever single-seater, with an LVG C VI and two Junkers CL I two-seaters in the background.

"Flughalle Deuthen". Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18 is in the left foreground; other aircraft in the hangar include Rumpler C.Is, Albatros C.IIIs and LVG C.VIs. At least four iterations of the iron cross marking are in evidence here. (Michael Seidel)

Ex-Sachsenberg aircraft at Peterfeld - a Ju D.I, two SSW D.IVs, an LVG C.VI, and two others, one of which appears to be an Albatros D.V. The LVG is marked with the letter "M", similar to the one applied to one of the Geschwader's Junkers CL.Is.

The Inter-Allied Baltic Commission intercepted a shipment of German aircraft on its arrival in East Prussia and returned it to Lithuania. This train carried LVG C.VI 12017/18 (ex-FA 433), Halb. C.V (Av) 6859/18, Alb. D.III (OAW) D.5160/17, LVG C.V 9652/17, one DFW C.V, and three Alb. J.IIs. (Moshe Bukhman)

LVG C.VI 9092/18 of the Lithuanian Aviation Company, purchased from Germany February 1919. Lithuania's early aircraft insignia, the White Knight Vytis in a tri-colored diamond, has to be one of the handsomest ever to embellish an aircraft. (Moshe Bukhman)

Hoffmann's trip might not have been a milk run - this is what's left of LVG C.VI 9037/18, presumably later the same day.

LVG C.VI of a postwar Freikorps unit Grenzschutz Allenstein.
"Kopfstand". An FA 410 LVG C.VI has come to grief. Crashes always provided a useful backdrop for photos to be sent to the folks back home.

Still smoking after it was burned by its crew, an LVG C.VI of FA Haas lies at the edge of the Theresienwiese after being downed by Red ground fire 2 May 1919. (Author's collection)

Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17, Fl. Abt. 410 / Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120, Deuthen, 1919

Pfalz D.III 8304/17

Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17 in late-war insignia with camouflage fabric covering the wings.This Pfalz belonged to Grenschutz Allenstein, a post-war border defense unit made up of both fighters and two-seaters.
The oversize military serial repainted on this former Jasta 61 Pfalz D.IIIa is almost an ironclad guarantee it had done time with a training school before its career ended with Freikorps FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120. The chordwise arms of the upper wing crosses extend to the leading and trailing edges, and there appears to be a chordwise white band to the left of the wing's centerline. (Michael Seidel)

FA 410/Artillerie-Fliegerstaffel 120 is a typical example of an aviation unit that fielded an assortment of different aircraft types in the second half of 1919. In this photo, L to R, Fokker D.VIII, Pfalz D.IIIa 6014/17, Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18, Hannover CL.II or CL.III, DFW C.V and LVG C.VI. (Michael Seidel)

Troops serving in Grenzschutz Ost wore a wide assortment of patches and pins with the shield of the Teutonic Knights. Pfalz D.III 8304/17 probably had the largest of them all.

"Flughalle Deuthen". Fokker D.VII (OAW) 8453/18 is in the left foreground; other aircraft in the hangar include Rumpler C.Is, Albatros C.IIIs and LVG C.VIs. At least four iterations of the iron cross marking are in evidence here. (Michael Seidel)

This FA 410 Rumpler C.I came to a bad end. Digital manipulation of the photo reveals the wreck to be C.4041/17 (HaBra), a former training school machine. HaBra, a rarely seen abbreviation, stood for Hansa-Brandenburg. (Michael Seidel)

Same unit, some of the same flyers posing with a Fokker D.VII inside the hangar. A Rumpler C.IV is in the background. (Author's collection)

Ltn. Karl August von Schoenebeck (8 victories, former CO of Jasta 33) poses with an SSW D.IV. The aircraft is most likely D.6177/18 of postwar Flieger-Abteilung 424. The civilian, who appears in other photos of the unit, is unidentified. (Jack Eder)

FA 406's moment to clown for the photographer. Even silly pictures like this can convey a lot of information to historians; this one tells us it was probably taken at the Abteilung's home base in Glogau, and its inventory contained one or more SSW D.IVs. (Author's collection)

Intrepid noncoms and ground crew with the unit's SSW D.IV. Young man perched on the prop spinner sports a Russian cockade on his Feldmutze, likely dating this photo to the autumn of 1919, after FA 424 joined Bermondt's Westrussischer Armee to become its 3rd Plastun Aviation Division. This photo may also explain the dents in the D.IV's prop spinner in the von Schoenebeck photo above.

Ex-Sachsenberg aircraft at Peterfeld - a Ju D.I, two SSW D.IVs, an LVG C.VI, and two others, one of which appears to be an Albatros D.V. The LVG is marked with the letter "M", similar to the one applied to one of the Geschwader's Junkers CL.Is.

Wreck of Uffz. Hassenmitter's SSW D.IV 6178/18 at Breslau-Hundsfeld, 24 July 1919. (Peter M. Grosz via author)

Nieuport Ni.24 bis #4321, 1.Aviaotriad, Weissenhof. Surrendered to Sachsenberg Geschwader 9 May 1919.

Nieuport Ni.24 bis #4300, Latvian Army Aviation Group, October 1919

Neither Angelroth's nor Sachsenberg's description of the Soviet machines was entirely correct. As this photo shows, they were aluminum-doped Type 24 bis Nieuports. The cockades on the rudders and undersides of the lower wings were crudely converted to red discs (paintbrush strokes are visible), but strangely, the upper wings retained the old imperial tricolor cockades. This aircraft was N4287; the machine crashed by Hackbusch was N4321. The third machine was N4300.