Sebastian Festner - 'Bloody April'

'Bloody April'

A combat with No. 57 Squadron RFC Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d's over Neuville on 2 April 1917 resulted in Festner claiming a FE-2d. On 5 April, during a combat between five Jasta 11 aircraft and six aircraft of No. 48 Squadron RFC, he forced down in captivity the Bristol F.2 Fighter of Captain Leefe Robinson, a Victoria Cross holder, holing his engine. A 'Sopwith' was claimed on 7 April (actually a Bristol Fighter of No. 48 Sqn which force-landed with a dead gunner) while on 8 April Festner himself force-landed his Albatros D.II (serial 223/16) with a cracked wing spar, which occurred while in combat with Nieuport 17s of No. 60 Squadron RFC, including future ace Lt. William 'Billy' Bishop. Von Richthofen had the damaged fighter written off strength. On 13 April Festner shot down an Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 of No. 59 Squadron RFC and an FE-2b of No. 25 Squadron. A Nieuport 17 of No. 60 Squadron was claimed both on 14 April and 16 April 1917. On 23 April 1917, having previously won both classes of the Iron Cross, Sebastian Festner became only the second recipient of the Member's Cross with Swords of the House Order of Hohenzollern.