| CL.II | |
|---|---|
 German Halberstadt CL.II 14207/17 "3" ofSchlasta 2. Note fairing for radio generator | |
| General information | |
| Type | Escort Fighter/Ground Attack Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | Imperial German Army Air Service |
| Number built | 900 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1917 |
TheHalberstadt CL.II was a German two-seat escortfighter/ground attack aircraft ofWorld War I. It served in large numbers with the GermanLuftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Army Air Service) in 1917-18.
Early in 1917,Idflieg, the German Army Inspectorate of Flying Troops, developed a requirement for a new type of two-seat aircraft, smaller than the existing C-type aircraft. This type, known as CL-type (Light C type) aircraft, was used to equipSchutzstaffeln (Protection flights) to escort reconnaissance aircraft.[1]Halberstadt developed an aircraft based on its earlier, unsuccessfulHalberstadt D.IV single-seat fighter to meet this requirement. Originally designated theHalberstadt C.II, it was redesignated the Halberstadt CL.II when the CL designation was applied.
The CL.II was a single-enginedbiplane with an all-wooden structure. The fuselage was covered with thinplywood panelling. It housed the crew of two in a single cockpit, with the observer's 7.92 mm (.312 in)machine gun being mounted on an elevated gun ring, giving a good field of fire, allowing downward fire at targets on the ground. A tray large enough to hold ten stick grenades was attached to the left side of the fuselage.[2] The single-bay wings were fabric-covered, with a swept upper wing.[3]
The aircraft had provisions for a wireless radio. When needed, the radio and antenna could be installed in the observer's cockpit, and a generator, that would also supply current for heated flight suits, could easily be installed. The generator was directly driven by a pulley on the engine and mounted on the left side with a teardrop shaped fairing covering it. With the generator removed, a flat panel would be fitted instead.[2]
The CL.II passed itsTypenprüfung (type-test) on 7 May 1917, which resulted in production orders being placed. Halberstadt built 700 CL.IIs by the time production shifted to the improvedCL.IV in mid-1918. A further 200 CL.II aircraft were built in 1918 by theBayerische Flugzeug-Werke (BFW).[4]
The CL.II entered service in August 1917 and proved highly successful; its excellent manoeuvrability, rate of climb and promising field of fire for its armament allowed it to match opposing single-seat fighters.[4] It also proved well suited to close support, which became the primary role of the CL-type aircraft, the units operating them being re-designatedSchlachtstaffeln (Battle flights).[5]
Ground support by theSchlachtstaffeln proved very effective, being used to support German attacks and disrupt enemy attacks. An early example of the successful use of CL-type aircraft in the ground attack role was during the German counterattack on 30 November 1917 during theBattle of Cambrai, where they were a significant factor in the German performance.[6]
The success of the German tactics at Cambrai, including the use of close air support, resulted in the Germans assembling large numbers of CL-types in support of theSpring Offensive in March 1918, with 38Schlachtstaffeln (equipped with the CL.II, CL.IV and theHannover CL.III) available, of which 27 were deployed against the British forces during the initial attack OperationMichael[7] The CL.II continued in service until the end of the War.
The only existing Halberstadt CL.II is exhibited in thePolish Aviation Museum inKraków. This unique plane served as the personal aircraft of the Commander ofLuftstreitkräfte generalErnst von Hoeppner.
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Lithuania (postwar)
Poland (postwar)Data from German Aircraft of the First World War[8]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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