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Thread: Nick names for Aces

  1. #1

    Default Nick names for Aces

    We all know MvR as "the Red Baron", what were the others known as?

    Max Immelmann, the Eagle of Lille

  2. #2

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    The Sentinel of Verdun, Jean Navarre

    The Black Knight, Eduard-Maria Joseph Ritter von Schleich

    The Iron Eagle, Paul Baumer
    Last edited by Teaticket; 06-21-2018 at 07:45.

  3. #3

  4. #4

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    following this thread with much interest!!!

  5. #5

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    Kurt Wolff was known in his squadron as "zarte Blümlein" (means "delicate little flower"),

    "He is wise who watches"

  6. #6

  7. #7

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    African-American pilot Eugene Jacques Bullard flew with the French Airforce and was known as 'The Black Swallow of Death'. He was turned down for service as a pilot with the U.S. forces when they entered the war.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Bullard

    Click image for larger version. 

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  8. #8

    Thumbs up

    The German ace Josef Jacobs was known as "Kobes" which apparently means small or little due to his statute & he had it painted on one of his early Albatross.

  9. #9

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    Rudolph von Eschwege, The Eagle of the Aegean.

  10. #10

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    Apparently the Germans called Billy Bishop 'Hell's Handmaiden'. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bishop

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    Apparently the Germans called Billy Bishop 'Hell's Handmaiden'. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bishop
    Never heard that one

  12. #12

    Post

    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    Apparently the Germans called Billy Bishop 'Hell's Handmaiden'. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bishop
    That's a new one to me!
    I wonder why?
    Should sound interesting in German.

  13. #13

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    Austro-Hungarian ace Oberleutnant Frank Linke-Crawford commanding officer of Fliegerkompanie 60J (Flik60J) was known as der Falke von Feltre (the Falcon of Feltre).

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by john snelling View Post
    Never heard that one
    Probably made up.
    If so, fitting ....

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Should sound interesting in German.
    per Google: Die Magd der Hölle

    As for it's authenticity, might have to check out Dan McCaffrey's book for citations.
    McCaffrey, Dan. Billy Bishop: Canadian Hero. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Publishers, 1988. ISBN 1-55028-095-3.

    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  16. #16

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by Stumptonian View Post
    Probably made up.
    If so, fitting ....

  17. #17

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by Jager View Post
    per Google: Die Magd der Hölle

    As for it's authenticity, might have to check out Dan McCaffrey's book for citations.
    McCaffrey, Dan. Billy Bishop: Canadian Hero. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Publishers, 1988. ISBN 1-55028-095-3.

    Karl
    I don't think that book is high on the list of good ones.

  18. #18

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    Gerhard Fieseler known as the “Tiger of Macedonia”

  19. #19

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    Here are a few more I have found.

    Hartmuth Baldamus was called "Professor"

    Berthold was the Iron Knight

    Joseph Veltjens was Seppi

    Ludwig Beckmann was Lutz

    Oswald Boelcke was called "Der Alte"

    "The Mad Major" – Christopher Draper, British World War I fighter ace

    "Timbertoes" – Sydney Carlin, Battle of Britain gunner who lost a leg in World War I

  20. #20

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    Interesting entries, wonder how I missed this thread until now.

  21. #21

  22. #22

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    "The Eagle of Crimea" – Pavel V. Argeyev, Russian World War One flying ace

  23. #23

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    History Guy short: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=84yGPsehrkc

    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    African-American pilot Eugene Jacques Bullard flew with the French Airforce and was known as 'The Black Swallow of Death'. He was turned down for service as a pilot with the U.S. forces when they entered the war.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Bullard

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Eugene_Jacques_Bullard.jpg 
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Size:	118.3 KB 
ID:	249847

  24. #24

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    Keith Caldwell was nicknamed Grid - He referred to aircraft as "grids", or bicycles, a habit which earned him his nickname.
    Frank Soden was nicknamed Mongoose -
    Spencer Horn was nicknamed the N word - different times.
    William Molesworth was nicknamed Moley
    All aces that served at some point with 60 sqn
    William MacLanachan was nicknamed McScotch - served with Edward 'Mick' Mannock in 40 sqn along with George McElroy who was McIrish !
    Wilford May (of MvR fame) was nicknamed Wop
    And a couple of chaps who became better known in ww2 - Hugh Dowding was nicknamed Stuffy; Trafford leigh Mallory was Taffy.
    Last edited by flash; 10-03-2019 at 11:27.

    "He is wise who watches"

  25. #25

    Smile

    Seems that 56 squadron were big on nicknames.

    McCudden was "Mac"
    David Wilkinson was "Pud"
    Geoffrey Bowman was "Beery"
    Cyril Crowe was "Billy"
    Hoidge was "Georgie"
    and Keith Muspratt, Arthur Rhys Davids & M H Coote were collectively known as "the Children" due to their ages.

    All above from Alex Revell's superb "No. 56 Squadron RFC/RAF" from Ospreys Aviation Elite Unit series.

  26. #26

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    That video about Eugene Bullard was a good 'find', Joe.

  27. #27

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    Thanks to all for bringing this collection of pilot nicknames together.

  28. #28


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    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    That's a new one to me!
    I wonder why?
    Should sound interesting in German.
    Just stumbled across this article, the german nickname was "Handlanger des Teufels".
    Translated word for word it is somthing like "Henchman of the devil".
    It may well be something special about the English language that makes it "Hell's Handmaiden".

  29. #29

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    Quote Originally Posted by lankin View Post
    It may well be something special about the English language that makes it "Hell's Handmaiden".
    Not really specific to English: it's just that phrases like this are usually idiomatic, wherein a word-for-word translation doesn't really catch the full sentiment. Andother example of a word-for-word translation not actually expressing the meaning of a phrase is Udet's "Du doch nicht!!"
    I've usually seen it translated by english-speakers as "Definitely not you!" (more or less word-for-word, taking into account the differing grammar between English & German), but what does it really express? Well, its a taunt. A native English speaker, trying to express the same taunt would more likely say "You, and who else?" The implication in each case, is that the object of the taunt isn't good enough to take down the speaker.

    Idioms.

    "Devil's Henchman/Devil's Handmaiden" Pretty much the same idea, just expressed a little idiomatically in two different languages.



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