Alfred Keller - Service During The First World War

Service During The First World War

When the First World War begun in August 1914, Hauptmann Alfred Keller was serving in a Western Front bomber unit Kagohl 5, Kampfstaffel (Kasta) 27, with which he would fly his first combat missions.

Keller participated in the first air reconnaissance mission of Paris in October 1914, which served to obtain evidence in the absence of anti-aircraft defences in the French capital. This factor was decisive for Keller and the unit’s pilots to initiate attacks on the French cities, one of which, against Paris, gaining for him the Cross of Iron 2nd Class. On the Verdun and Somme fronts Keller performed some missions of reconnaissance and offensive patrolling, which led to him in September 1915 being nominated Kommandeur of Kagohl 7, Kampfstaffel (Kasta) 40, a unit that he would help to consolidate in the following months. On 1 September 1917, after some attacks of its airplanes against the enemy lines, Keller s decorated with Cross of Iron 1st Class, also in recognition for his performance as an organiser.

Assuming the command of Bombengeschwader der Obersten Heeresleitung (Bogohl; Bomben Geschwader der OHL - Bomber wing of the OHL) BG 1 (new designation for bomber squadrons) from April 1917 until the end of the war, Keller’s unit become the first German bombers to operate night missions, which was noted for the missions against Dunkirk and the British forces concentrated there, with his sudden delivery in the silence of the night of 100,000 kg of bombs on the port, causing considerable damage in September 1917 and forced a British retreat to Calais. For planning, organization and leadership in this attack and others he was decorated with the Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords, and on the on 4 December 1917, with the even more desirable Order Pour le Mérite.

On the night of 30–31 January 1918 Keller, in spite of the fierce anti-aircraft opposition, again attacked Paris, causing a great panic in the civilian population, the pilots of Bogohl 1 returned safely though. These multiple attacks by Keller on Paris would compel the French to remove some anti-aircraft batteries from the front and use them in the defence of the city.

Promotions:

• Fähnrich: 22 November 1902
• Leutnant: 18 August 1903 (Patent 19 August 1902)
• Oberleutnant: 18 August 1911
• Hauptmann: 8 November 1914
• Charakter als Major: 16 January 1920

Assignments:

• 5 April 1902 – 19 February 1912: Fahnenjunker and company officer in Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 17, Thorn.
• 1912 – 1914: I. Transferred to the Engineer Inspectorate and admitted to Fortifications in Wilhelmshaven.
• 1912 – 1913: At the same time, underwent aerial observer training.
• 1913 – 1 August 1914: Pilot training and pilot at Flying Station Darmstadt.
• 2 August 1914 – 1915: Commander of Feldflieger-Abteilung 27.
• 1915 – 1916: Commander of Armeeflugpark 5.
• 1916: Commander of Armeeflugpark 1.
• 1916 – 31 March 1917: Commander of Feldflieger-Abteilung 40.
• 1 April 1917 – 1 December 1918: Commander of Bombengeschwader of the Army High Command
• 1 December 1918 – 16 January 1920: On leave.