Flieger Militärpaß - Jasta 34 and 45

[Klauklau]

Hello all,

I recently found a Militärpaß from a Flieger, with an intersting career.

After being drafted in the Königlich-Preußsich Magdeburgisch Train Ersatz Abteilung 4 for 2 month (11.11.1916-29.1.1917), he was transferred to Flieger Ersatz Abteilung 1 Altenburg.
Then, he was from 21.2.1917 to 10.11.1917 in the Jasta 34, spent once again 2 month (until the 23.12.1917) in the Flieger Ersatz Abteilung 1 (Altenburg), then finalyy from 23.12.17 until 29.11.1918 in the Jasta 45.

His name was Theodor Marczalik, or Marzalik, from Rybnik.

I would like to know if he was a pilot, or part of the ground personal (I am out of my field with the organisation of the Jastas...). In short, I would like to have more information on his career... Is there a way to know the name of all the pilots of Jasta 34 and 45 ?

Here are some pics of the document.
It is very interesting to see that (von) Greim signed the pages regarding the Jasta 34, and Rolfes the loose leaf regarding Jasta 45... I don't know who signed for the 2 Flieger Ersatz-Abt 1 Altenburg pages.











1st Service with FEA 1 Altenburg.



Jasta 34 service - signature of PLM-Träger Greim



2nd service with FEA 1 Altenburg



Jasta 45 service - signature of Rolfes



Jasta 45 service



Return to Rybnik...


Hope you liked it !
If you have any piece of information to help me in making this document "talk", please feel free to share it !

[Brian L.]

He was a pilot. He's referred to as 'Flieger' throughout the pass. He survived which is something. But, there's no indication that he won any awards. The signature for Jasta 34 looks like 'Heim', not 'Greim'. You can Google von Greim's signature and it looks nothing like this.

[pauke]

He was first a "Trainfahrer" or "train driver" (as in a baggage wagon)with training (p. 4) in riding, driving and using the K-98 rifle before being transferred to an air unit and given the title "Flieger" which would be "airman" or a simple private. His conduct was consistently good and there is nothing noteworthy recorded.

[jaeger7-de]

Flieger does not mean he was a pilot !

It was the lowest rank in the Airforce, same as Musketier, Grenadier or Jäger within the Infantry.

Regards

jaeger7-de

[Brian L.]

Flieger does not mean he was a pilot !

It was the lowest rank in the Airforce, same as Musketier, Grenadier or Jäger within the Infantry.

Regards

jaeger7-de

That makes sense given his lowly rank beforehand. Flieger=airman clears it up.

[Klauklau]

Hello,

Thanks for you reply.

I am aware that "Flieger" is the lowest air force rank (so that Pionier, Kanonier, Reiter etc.). However, with the slow developement of the Luftstreitkräfte in WW1, I was unsure if the pilots were given special course (hey, Manfred von was a Reiter before being a pilot, so why not a supply troops guy ?)
The fact that a pilot badge was also an indication, however I don't know if the badge was entered in Militärpässe. Does someone have an exemple to show ?

Regarding the signature, there is no doubt this is Greim. Who was the Staffelführer of Jasta 34 at this period ? (Plus, the document is signed not from a hypothetical "acting commander", i.V, m.d.F.b or anything.)
I agree with you that his signature in ww2 is different (which is more frequently encountered), but please find an exemple of his signature during WW1, (even before he gain his title of Ritter).

[Klauklau]

For your information :

WW1 signed photo of Greim. Indeed, the signature does not looks like the one he have in WW2...



Source : http://www.luftwaffe39-45.historia.nom.br/greim.htm

[jaba-the-hunt]

He was definitely not a pilot. There are no entries of a pilot training nor of a pilot badge. The first assignment at the FEA 1 for one month is to short for a pilot training.
Further he was at the Ersatz-Kompagnie but the pilot training Kompagnie was the 1st.
Ussualy a fighter training at one of the Jasta Schule was required before assignment to one of the Jastas if the person has no pilot experience.

Interesting are the signatures of the Jasta leaders.

The Jasta 34 was a bavarian unit and the signature belongs to Olt Robert Greim the leader of the unit at that time. He later received the PLM and MMJO.
That makes this page special.

For the Jasta 45 Lt. Hans Joachim Rolfes the last leader of the unit signed.

Kind regards
Alex

[jaba-the-hunt]

The fact that a pilot badge was also an indication, however I don't know if the badge was entered in Militärpässe. Does someone have an exemple to show ?

Of course the badge was entered as other awards too. I have two MP with entry of the badge and know many others.

Kind regards
Alex

[Söderbaum]

Hi

Alex is correct, he was no pilot.

The Hptm in FEA 1 Altenburg is Leithoff

Gunnar

[Klauklau]

Many thanks for your inputs ! That confirms my doubts.

Difficult to guess his role in the Jastas then... Maybe he was a carriage or truck driver, regarding his formation.
Did the mechanics in flying units trained in a special school ?

Thx jaba for the info on the pilot badge in MP !
And thanks Söderbaum for the name of the Hauptmann of FEA1.

[jaba-the-hunt]

Did the mechanics in flying units trained in a special school ?

They were traind at the FEAs and on Werkschulen (factory schools).

But this guy doesn't have any special training.

Kind regards
Alex

[Klauklau]

Thanks again !