Pfalz DXII, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

The Pfalz on display was one of several Pfalz DXII that were handed over to Australia in 1919 as reparations or war booty. Chris Goddard of the Australian War Memorial relates in some more detail the origins and condition of the Pfalz;

The Memorial's D XII Pfalz is 2600/18, which was apportioned to Australia under the terms of the Armistice. It was apparently sent from No 2 Salvage Depot in France by cross-channel steamer ferry to England in late 1919 and thence to Australia by troopship. It was then displayed in the Memorial's temporary exhibition in Melbourne, although during October and November 1920 the Pfalz was moved to Adelaide for display at the Motor Trades Association of South Australia exhibition and was returned to Melbourne on 30 November 1920. During its Melbourne sojourn, the Pfalz was displayed with a Fokker, Halberstadt, Hannover, Albatros and Rumpler. Sometime after 1924 the Pfalz was on display in the Memorial's temporary exhibition display in Sydney.

Despite rumours that were in circulation in the late 1980's that both the Pfalz and the Albatros were flown by RAAF pilots in the early 1920s, evidence suggests that the fabric on both planes was already in poor condition by the time both were reassembled in Australia.

The propeller is stamped 13472, 172 PS MERC 274D, 195 SL, EDULZUG on the boss. The Manufacturer's name is no longer visible on the silver transfer applied to the forward face of each blade, although the following remains: "...ndorf Propellor Werke".

The original Maxim LMG08 machine guns remain attached - the port is serialled 9455, the starboard 9290.

Unfortunately, because the Pfalz was ceded and not actually captured by the Australian Forces, we have not been able to link it to any particular squadron.

The Pfalz DXII is currently being stored at the Treloar Center in Canberra, ACT.

Pfalz DXII in Treloar Centre being restored. For a fullsize image click on the thumbnail to the left. Image courtesy of Dieter Groschel

Pfalz DXII in Treloar Centre being restored. Image courtesy of Dieter Groschel

Pfalz DXII in Treloar Centre being restored. Image courtesy of Dieter Groschel

Pfalz DXII in Treloar Centre being restored. Image courtesy of Dieter Groschel

Pfalz DXII in Treloar Centre being restored. Image courtesy of Dieter Groschel

Pfalz DXII in Treloar Centre being restored. Image courtesy of Dieter Groschel

Photographs of the Pfalz DXII appear courtesy of Dieter Groschel. Information on the Pflaz DXII courtesy of Chris Goddard.