Grave/grab german pilots von zeddelmann and Heine

[bdl]

Hello,
Hereunder a photograph taken by my grandfather during the battle of Verdun in the beginning of march 1916: the graves of 2 german airmen died on the 26th of February 1916 at the very beginning of the battle. This cemetery was located in the forest of Sommedieue, south/east from verdun. I know that these 2 airmen were fired over the city of Dieue by the french fighterace Jean Navarre. Is it possible to get more information about these 2 german pilots, the reference of their plane ( a 2 seats cabin), as well as the conditions of this air-fight over the sky of Verdun ?
1st picture, view of the cemetery in the forest of Sommedieue.

Detail of the grave of Lt Heine III Sarden, RG17

Detail of the grave of Lt von Zeddelmann, IR64
Many thanks for your help
Bertrand

[Johannsen]

Bonsoir bdl,
Ltn. Georg Heine, Hussar Regiment 17 (HR 17).
He was the pilot.
Ltn. d. R. Alfons von Zeddelmann, Infantry Regiment 64 (IR 64).
He was the observer.
They flew for KG4, KaSta 21.
Cordialement.

[bdl]

Bonsoir bdl,
Ltn. Georg Heine, Hussar Regiment 17 (HR 17).
He was the pilot.
Ltn. d. R. Alfons von Zeddelmann, Infantry Regiment 64 (IR 64).
He was the observer.
They flew for KG4, KaSta 21.
Cordialement.

Dear Johannsen

Thank you for these informations.
Then I understand that on the grave of Lt Heine, it is written Lt HEINE HUSARDEN HR 17
Please find the detail of the grave of Lt von ZEDDELMANN and under his name, written in french " Lieut. AVIATEUR ALLEMAND"

For the german flight, what means KG4, KaSta 21 ? Is it the name of the plane ?
Cordialement/ Regards
Bertrand

[Johannsen]

No, that's not the type of aircraft. That's the name of the unit.
KG 4 (Kampfgeschwader 4) former KagOHL 4 (Kampfgeschwader der obersten Heeresleitung 4) means something like "combat squadron 4".
KaSta 21 (Kampfstaffel 21) means something like "combat wing 21" or so.
Cordialement.

[obelix]

Hi all,

Their plane was shot down over Dieue-sur-Meuse.
Nowadays they are buried at Troyon German military
cemetery (55). Von Zeddelmann in block 2, grave 111
and Heine in block 2, grave 139.

Kind regards

[bdl]

Hi all,

Their plane was shot down over Dieue-sur-Meuse.
Nowadays they are buried at Troyon German military
cemetery (55). Von Zeddelmann in block 2, grave 111
and Heine in block 2, grave 139.

Kind regards

Thank you for this interesting information. On the cross from Lt Heine, what can you read after his name HEINE ? Is it HUSARDEN or something else ? On the second row what is written in french is Lieut AVIATEUR ALLEMAND or in english Lieutenant german airman. This provisory cemetery was a mix of german and french graves.
Best regards
Bertrand

[obelix]

Hi Bertrand,

Unfortunatly I can't read well what's written on the cross.
But I do know that Georg Heine originally was a 2nd lieutenant
in the 'Braunschweigischen Husaren-Regiment Nr. 17'
He fought in France with this unit until March of 1915.
From April to October 1915 he learnt to fly and after being
licensed he was sent to 'Kampfstaffel 21' (Escadrille
de Combat 21).

In the Imperial German Air Force all pilots and observers wore
the uniforms from the units they originally belonged to. There
was no such a thing as an airforce uniform.

Best regards

[bdl]

Hi Bertrand,

Unfortunatly I can't read well what's written on the cross.
But I do know that Georg Heine originally was a 2nd lieutenant
in the 'Braunschweigischen Husaren-Regiment Nr. 17'
He fought in France with this unit until March of 1915.
From April to October 1915 he learnt to fly and after being
licensed he was sent to 'Kampfstaffel 21' (Escadrille
de Combat 21).

In the Imperial German Air Force all pilots and observers wore
the uniforms from the units they originally belonged to. There
was no such a thing as an airforce uniform.

Best regards

Hi Obelix,
Thank you for these informations.
Here under the zoom of the cross

and was is written
1916
HEINE- HUSARDEN RGt 17
LIEUTt AVIATEUR ALLEMAND
26
Fev
According yours comments, they confirm what is written. The "D" within HUSARDEN and not HUSAREN is probably a mistake made by the french soldiers , because in french we use the word HUSSARD The date of death is 26 Fevrier 1916...
Regards
Bertrand