Researching WWI Aviators

[hellfighter1918]

I recently began researching an American who served with the Royal Flying Corps in WWI. My subject was shot down 12 miles northwest of Armintieres on the 12 of June, 1918 by Lt. Josef Schafer of Jasta 16. My man was Schafer's first victory (he survived and became a POW) and Schafer went on to get two more confirmed until he himself was shot down and killed in October of 1918.

Shäffer Johann/Joseph
born Hofstetten 6/6/1895
KIA at Roulers 10/10/1918 by GH Bowman or FO Soden 41 Sqn RAF Buried at Krefeld cemetery in Germany

Ltn.d.R. Josef Schäfer, 3 victories with Jasta 16, 3 victories total, arrived from Jastaschule I at Valencienne on 11 Jan 1918, KIA on 10 Oct 1918

12 Jun 1918 Ltn.d.R. Schäfer-1st victoty, S.E.5a. 21.20, S. Bailleul

2 Jul 1918 Ltn.d.R. Schäfer-2nd victory, Bristol F.2b, 09.50, Zandvoorde, F.2B #B.1344, 20 Sqn. RAF, 2/Lt. P.G. Jones, KIA & Lt. T.C. Traill, OK

10 Oct 1918 Ltn.d.R. Schäfer-3rd victory, R.E.8, 17.30, W. Ypres

10 Oct 1918 Ltn.d.R. Josef Schäfer is KIA in Flandern


My questions are:
1.Jasta 16 was a Bavarian squadron, does this mean that Schafer had to hail from Bavaria?
2. Is there an archive that would have Schafer's service record?
3. Is there a list of German war graves?

ANY help or advice would most appreciated.

If you go to the aerodrome website forum and search under Schafer there is a picture of him sitting in his aircraft.

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/peopl ... -16-a.html

http://www.theaerodrome.com



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[Scott Powell]

I have always enjoyed the story of the duel between Guynemer and Udet.
When Guynenmer saw that udet's guns were jammed, he waved,and broke off combat.Udet always wanted to re duel,and perhaps repay the favour