1917 10 Triple threat - Russell Smith
As the sun peaks above the horizon, a trio of German Albatrosses patrol the skies in search of enemy aircraft. These pilots and aircraft are assigned to Jasta 76b, a Bavarian unit based in the Vosges region of France. The unit markings consisted of white spinners followed by white and Bavarian blue rings. The horizontal stabilizers were Bavarian blue with white stripes one each side.In the lead we see the Albatros DV.a of Lt. Hans Böhning. Böhning began his flying career with Feldflieger Abteilung 290, but eventually found himself assigned to Jasta 76b in late 1917 where he would score his fifth kill. In addition to the unit markings , the front half of this particular Albatros was varnished wood while the rear half featured the white and blue Bavarian checkerboard pattern. A narrow black band separated the two sections. Böhning ended the war with 16 victories to his credit.Next in the lineup is Vzfw. Siegfried Walther. Walther’s Albatros DV.a carried the standard unit markings, but the fuselage was painted entirely red and marked with a white “W”.Last in the lineup we see Lt. Walter Boening. Boening assumed command of Jasta 76b in October 1917. Here he flies a baby blue Albatros DV.a marked with the standard unit markings. This aircraft also carried a white and Bavarian blue band around the center of the fuselage. In May of 1918 Boening severely wounded below the left knee during and aerial combat with 70Sq RAF. Although he safely landed his crippled aircraft, his wartime career had come to and end. He ended the war as a 17-victory ace, having earned the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, the Military Merit Order, and the Knight’s Cross, among others
