Sebastian Festner

Sebastian Festner (1894–1917) was an air ace of the Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Force) during World War I, with 12 victories. He reached the rank of Vizefeldwebel.

Sebastian Festner
Born 30 June 1894
Holzkirchen, Bavaria
Died 25 April 1917
Between Gavrelle and Bailleul
Allegiance German Empire
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Vizefeldwebel
Unit FA 18, FA 5, Jasta 11
Awards Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross First and Second Class

Festner was born in Holzkirchen, Bavaria on 30 June 1894. He originally served with, and was wounded with, the infantry before switching to aviation.[1] He was a mechanic with Flieger Abtleilung Nr. 1 in October 1914. Posted to FA 7b in February 1915 as a Gefreiter, Festner learned to fly unofficially, and then underwent training with FEA 2b and FEA 5b.[2]

He served briefly with two seater units FA 18 and FA 5b, arriving at FA 18 on 10 September 1916 and FA 5b five days later. His next posting was to Jasta 11 on 10 November 1916.[3]

Under the command of Manfred von Richtofen, Festner quickly claimed 2 victories in February 1917 before claiming another 10 during 'Bloody April'.[4]

Contents

'Bloody April'

A combat with 57 Squadron FE-2d's over Neuville on 2 April resulted in Festner claiming a FE-2d, (two were lost) but returning with his aircraft badly shot up.[5] On 5 April, during a combat between five Jasta 11 aircraft and six aircraft of No. 48 Squadron, he forced down in captivity the Bristol Fighter BF-2a of Captain Leefe Robinson,a Victoria Cross holder, holing his engine. A 'Sopwith' was claimed on 7 April (actually a Bristol Fighter of No. 48 Sqn which force-landed with a dead gunner) while on 8 April Festner himself force-landed his D.II (serial 223/16) with a cracked wing spar,[6] which occurred while in combat with Nieuport 17s of No. 60 Squadron, including future ace Lt. William 'Billy' Bishop.[7] Von Richtofen had the damaged fighter written off strength. On 13 April he shot down an RE-8 of No. 59 Squadron (crew- 2/Lt.A.Watson and 2/Lt. E.R. Law, both POW) and an FE-2b of No. 25 Squadron (one of three lost) [8] A Nieuport 17 of No. 60 Squadron was claimed both on 14 April (Lt. L.C.Chapman, killed, one of four lost to Jasta 11) and 16 April (one of four shot down).

Death in action

Flying Albatros D.III (serial 2251/17), Festner was killed in action at 9-15 am German time on 25 April 1917, near Oppy. Exact details are unknown, and he was either struck by ground fire or shot down attacking a Sopwith Strutter crewed by Lt.C.R. O'Brien & gunner 2/Lt. J.L. Dickson of No. 43 Squadron, who claimed a red Albatros as their 3rd and 2nd victories respectively. He crashed behind the British lines, between Gavrelle and Bailleul and the crash designated by the RFC as G.26.[9] With the area under German artillery fire there was no attempt to recover either plane or body, therefore Festner is missing in action with no known grave.

References

[10] [11]

  1. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/festner.php Retrieved on 15 April 2010.
  2. ^ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. p. 105. 
  3. ^ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. p. 105. 
  4. ^ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. p. 106. 
  5. ^ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. p. 105
  6. ^ 'Bloody April, Black September'; Franks, Guest & Bailey, page 30
  7. ^ 'Billy Bishop- Canadian Hero' Dan McCaffery, (Lorimer 1988)
  8. ^ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. p. 105
  9. ^ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. pp. 105–106. 
  10. ^ 'Bloody April, Black September'; Franks, Guest & Bailey (grub street, 1995)
  11. ^ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918 Norman L. R. Franks, et. al. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0948817739, 9780948817731.

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