“Monoplan de chasse allemand”
Fokker's Eindeckers, also known as monoplanes, were not revolutionary in their design. However, by mid-1915, they had surpassed their rivals by incorporating a machine gun with synchronized firing through the propeller arc. Understandably, the Allied forces were keenly interested in obtaining an undamaged Fokker E for examination.
“Monoplan de
chasse allemand”
Fokker's Eindeckers, also known as monoplanes, were not revolutionary in their design.
However, by mid-1915, they had surpassed their rivals by incorporating a machine gun
with synchronized firing through the propeller arc. Understandably, the Allied forces
were keenly interested in obtaining an undamaged Fokker E for examination.
Jan Bobek
When the legendary French aviator Roland
Garros of Escadrille MS 26 was captured
on April 18, 1915, the Germans discovered
a machine gun, installed on his Morane Saulnier
G fighter, designed to fire through the propeller
arc, alongside metal wedges on the propeller
blades. These wedges (in most cases) deflected
projectiles to the side if the blades were hit by
fire. The German Idflieg promptly decided it
was necessary to equip their own aircraft with
a similar device. To their surprise, they found
that Anthony Fokker had already developed
a superior technical solution, which was
relatively advanced. Contrary to the legend that
the synchronization device was designed within
48 hours, Fokker's team had been working on
this solution for approximately six months.
Fokker based his design on a patent by Swiss
engineer Franz Schneider, which was published
in full in Flugsport magazine in September 1914.
Fokker's new fighter monoplanes entered
service with the E designation for Eindecker
mit MG, meaning a monoplane equipped with
a machine gun. The Fokker A.III and E.I entered
combat service from the summer of 1915.
Their mission was to engage enemy aircraft
penetrating German territory and to provide
escort for their own multi-seat machines.
Occasionally, the “Fokkerpilots”, as their pilots
were known, targeted observation balloons as
well. However, they had to be cautious not to
be forced to land in enemy territory. The Fokker
Eindecker, inspired by the Morane Saulnier G, did
not introduce revolutionary features in terms
of manoeuvrability, rate of climb, or speed. Its
primary advantage laid in the synchronization
device, it was thus crucial to prevent it from
falling into enemy hands.
The Eindeckers' combat tactics and efficiency
proved to be a nasty surprise for their enemies.
Aircraft losses on the side of the Entente were
increasing significantly, while the tactics
employed by the Fokker pilots were gradually
evolving. This period became known as the
“Fokker Scourge.” In January 1916, the RFC
command had to issue an order directing that
reconnaissance machineswere to be escorted
by three other aircraft in close formation to
enhance defences. The order explicitly stated
that the reason for this measure was the
presence of Fokkers operating in groups of three
and four aircraft.
The British had several synchronization
systems at their disposal: the Vickers-
Challenger, Scarff-Dibrovski, Sopwith-Kauper,
Ross, and Arsaid. Similarly, the French could
utilize the Alkan system. However, a challenge
arose as these devices were originally designed
for the relatively heavy Vickers-Maxim type
machine guns equipped with belt-fed magazines.
Fokker E.III 196/16 (serial no. 488) was the first machine of this type to fall almost
undamaged into the hands of the French. The plane was captured on April 10, 1916,
at Courmelois. Photo: Reinhard Zankl
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May 2024