Writing emblazoned on this German Hannover CL.IIIa explains that it had been shot down by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and Lieutenant Reed Chambers of the 94th Aero Squadron on Oct. 2, 1918.
Designed as a light reconnaissance plane (hence the CL designator), the Hannover series featured a biplane tail as a means of maintaining rear elevator control while reducing the tailplane area in the observer’s way when he needed to start shooting.
The two men in this much-photographed CL.IIIa of Schlachtstaffel 5, must have been too intently scanning the front over Montfaucon, France, at low altitude on that October day because they were surprised by Rickenbacker, who disabled the observer before his own guns jammed, after which Chambers drove the airplane down behind Allied lines.
The aircraft was recovered three days later and moved to Rembercourt, where it was evaluated and photographed. Rickenbacker ended World War I as America’s highest scoring ace, with 26 victories. Chambers had seven. After the war the two men briefly joined forces to provide aerial photography as the Reed M. Chambers Co., and later founded Florida Airways.
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