Germany, Luftstreitkräfte. A List of Former Members of Fighter Wing “Freiherr von Richthofen” to Ace Willi Gabriel

The document collection contains two lists of former members of First War fighter wing “Freiherr von Richthofen”, one dated to April 21, 1956, the other undated, but accompanied by a letter to Willi Gabriel dated to September 24, 1957. There is also a fighter wing “Freiherr von Richthofen” 1917/18 business card to Gabriel. All is found in a folder “in memory of the 39th traditional meeting of fighter wing Freiherr von Richthofen”, Konstanz, April 1957, with a large photo of the “Red Baron”, Manfred von Richthofen wearing the Pour le Mérite.

Folder measuring 218 mm (w) x 329 mm (h), presenting light scuffing of the edges and light age-related discolouration, remains very fine. Lists, 2 pages and 5 pages, respectively, measuring 210 mm (w) x 297 mm (h), presenting two folding creases and light overall creasing, remains very fine. Letter measuring 146 mm (w) x 207 mm (h), presenting a folding crease and light creasinf of the edges, remains extremely fine. Business card measuring 116 mm (w) x 66 mm (h), presenting rust from a removed paper clip, remains better than very fine.

Footnote: Willi Gabriel and his twin brother Walter were born on December 31, 1893 in Bromberg (present-day Bydgoszcz, northern Poland). Gabriel showed and interest in aviation from an early age, building his own airplanes prior to the First War. During the war, Gabriel often served together with his twin brother, until Walter was shot down and captured in August of 1917. Gabriel shot down his first plane in March of 1918 as a member of Schutzstaffel (protection squadron) 15. In April, he was redeployed to Jagdstaffel (fighter wing) 11 as a fighter pilot. He shot down an enemy plane in May and six more targets in June, among them two observation balloons. Gabriel did not have a good working relationship with Hermann Göring, the commander of Jagdgruppe 1, of which fighter wing 11 was a part. On July 18, 1918 Gabriel piloted a plane, engaged three French planes, and shot them down, without having received permission to fly a mission. When he returned, Göring grounded him, but Gabriel took off again that same day, shooting down another French plane. When he returned, Göring barred him from flying combat missions for the remainder of the war. Gabriel was a recipient of the Iron Cross 1914 1st Class and is credited with 11 aerial victories. He is also known for having flown Fokker Dr.I planes in two movies in 1938, “DIII 88” and “Pour le Mérite”. Little is known about his career during the Second War, except that he did again serve in the Luftwaffe in the rank of Hauptmann (captain), despite his problematic relationship with Göring. Gabriel died on July 1, 1968.