HISTORY

They were also constantly repairing and improving their aircraft, with the

old Anzani engine being the biggest problem. Maybe that's why they tried to

build gliders as well. Information about these is sporadic, they were supposed

to be four designs called Gabriel P-I to P-IV and probably built during 1913.

Alex Imrie via Greg VanWyngarden

The outbreak of the World War I thwarted plans of many people. Gabriel

brothers were no exception, as they were called for military service. Their

pre-war aviation activities were no secret for the military authorities, so they

were assigned to the German Air Troops (Fliegertruppen). Both brothers completed basic military pilot training at the Aviation Training Unit No. 1 (Flieger

Ersatz Abteilung1) in Döberitz, followed by advanced training in Müncheberg

at the Rumpler training centre.

The twins were lucky, as they were assigned to the same FFA 34 (Feldflieger-Abteilung) unit after the training completion. The unit was operating from

the Cunel base near Verdun, and commanded by Hauptmann (Captain) Hugo

Geyer. Pilots flew their missions with unarmed two-seaters Aviatik B.I and B.II.

The unit stayed defenceless in the air until the mid-1915, when Aviatik C.I

and Albatros C.I with a defensive machine gun operated by observer arrived.

In the spring of 1916, both brothers packed their bags and set out on a long

journey, as they were transferred to FFA 21, the unit operating on the Eastern Front in the area of Bialystok. There they experienced quite different

missions to what they were accustomed to on the western side of the conflict. Pilots flew quite a long observation flights there with their Albatros

C.Is, penetrating the enemy territory much deeper than it was usual on the

Western Front. Such a practice was possible thanks to low threat from Russian fighters. Flights of up to 100 km deep in enemy territory were commonly

used to map the situation and traffic on the main railway lines. During each

flight, about 93mi (150 km) of the railway was observed, so total length of the

mission was about 350 km. Brothers joined the operations of the unit, but,

after some time, their ways parted, because Willi was transferred to FFA 44

operating on the Western Front in the Verdun area.

Gabriel brothers as military pilots. Willi on the left.

New engagement with Schutzstaffel 15

During their service with FFA 34 Gabriel brothers had been witnessing arrival

of first Fokker Eindeckers and both were attracted by these aircraft with

Walter being initially more captivated than Willi. So it was no wonder he

applied for transition to one of the Kampfseinsitzer Komando (one-seaters

fighting group). His desire materialised only after he has returned to the

western area of the war in the spring of 1917. He was assigned to the Jasta

19 (the KEKs were gradually converted to the Jagdstaffeln about this time),

but his spell with fighters was quite short as he reported to the commander

of Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 250 (Artillery-observing aviation unit) shortly

afterwards. There he flew long-range reconnaissance flights with Rumpler

C.IV capitalising on his Eastern Front experience.

Willi was in a similar situation, flying at FA (A) 207 at the time. But, as the

more dynamic and impulsive person of them both, he was gradually getting

more and more bored with the monotonous observation flights. When the

Schutzstaffeln (protective squadrons) began to form in 1917 as the protection

force of the observation aircraft, he did not waver to request reassignment.

His request was approved and Willi became part of the Schusta 15, flying

Halberstadt CL.IIs. These successful airplanes were armed with two machine guns (one moveable for rear gunner and one forward firing synchronized

one) and performed tasks focused primarily on the protection of observation

planes. Although not thoroughbred pursuit aircraft, the CL.II offered Willi

significantly more combat opportunities. He was not scoring any victories however, despite number of combats. Instead, he learned, that his brother had

not returned from a flight over England in August 1917. The Britons reported

INFO Eduard - February 2021

Alex Imrie via Greg VanWyngarden

From West to East and back

Willi Gabriel in front of Halberstadt CL.II together with his gunner

and observer Vzfw. Hilsbein during the service with Schusta 15.

downing of the Rumpler C.VII flying at an altitude of about 18,000 ft (5,500

m) that day. According to the report, the hit of anti-aircraft fire destroyed the

tail of the aircraft, causing it to fall in spiral and crash. Willi was downcast

with the news as he had no hopes his brother might survive. What a relief for

him, when a British plane dropped a mail bag over German territory with an

up-to-date list of prisoners of war and the name Walter Gabriel was there!

Fighter pilot made “easily"

At the beginning of 1918, the protection of observation aircraft was already fully provided by Jagdstaffeln (fighter squadrons), while Schutzstaffeln

were increasingly used for ground attack tasks. Therefore, their designation was changed to Schlachtstaffel, abbreviated Schlasta (attack squadron).

At this time Willi already had a reputation for being an extremely "wild" pilot,

frightening not only the enemy but also his own gunners with violent manoeuvrers. It was more and more evident, the fighter instincts were inherent

to Willi´s personality. But, despite his undeniable piloting skills and courage,

there were still zero kills on his account. He had to wait until March 22, 1918.

That day he finally shot down the French SPAD and his desire to become

a fighter grew to another height. He had been considering application for

transition to fighter unit for some time, but hesitated. The reason was quite

simple and telling: In case of approval, he would have to complete fighter

course with a training unit with rigid discipline. Something Willi was not a fan

of… Now, he was one of the most experienced pilots of two-seaters, he had

a number of fights on his account and he also had problems finding a permanent gunner, as each of them preferred to fly with anybody but him. He therefore took advantage of situation, when his unit shared the air base at Cappy

with the entire Jagdgeschwader I (Fighter Wing No. 1). He went on his own to

the tents on the other side of the airfield and asked for a hearing directly with

Manfred von Richthofen, leader of JG I. Famous ace heard the Schlasta pilot

out, and since he had heard already about him, he agreed to request for his

transfer to JG I. Gabriel informed his commanding officer subsequently about

his visit at JG I, but it was a mistake. His commandant felt like he should not

loose him and so he sent a "counter-request" to the headquarters to keep Gabriel with Schlasta 15. Therefore Willi's first attempt to become fighter pilot

failed. Instead, he earned the Iron Cross of the 1st degree, which he received

in March 1918 for his bravery and achievements.

After von Richthofen's death, Wilhelm Reinhard took command of JG I and

Gabriel decided to repeat his attempt. The story was similar, Reinhard agreed

to his transfer as well. And as Gabriel's commandant have given up further

efforts to keep him with the unit, Willi reported himself with the JG I leader

on May 19, 1918, becoming a member of the famous Jasta 11. However, he

had not won yet.

Reinhard's ultimatum

Reinhard made it clear to Gabriel during the first report, that he knew of his

piloting skills, but his unit was no place for training newcomers or resting on

laurels. That said, Willi had been tasked to achieve at least one victory in

the next four weeks. If case of fail, he would return to where he came from.

It was quite hard requirement, given that Gabriel had not flown single-seat

fighters and had not undergone fighter training until then. He therefore did

not waste time, conducted two training flights with the Dr.I to familiarise

himself with the nimble fighter powered by rotary engine and asked Reinhard

for the place in the evening patrol the same day he had joined the JG I.

Reinhard agreed on condition the newcomer would stay close to him, turning

tail in the event of a clash with the enemy. Well, that was not what Willi had

in mind! When the patrol encountered a formation of DH-9 bombers before

eight o'clock in the evening, Reinhard began to climb and manoeuvre to get

the best position for his men to attack. For all bar Gabriel, who separated

from the formation attacking the rearmost DH-9, shooting it down. Delighted

at his success, he spiralled with his prey watching it to hit the ground and

eduard

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