Halberstadt CL.II

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 equip Schutzstaffeln (Protection flights) to escort reconnaissance aircraft.Gray and Thetford 1961, p.xv. Halberstadt developed an aircraft based on its earlier, unsuccessful Halberstadt D.IV single-seat fighter to meet this requirement. Originally designated the Halberstadt C.II, it was redesignated the Halberstadt CL.II when the CL designation was applied.

The CL.II was a single-engined biplane with an all-wooden structure. The fuselage was covered with thin plywood 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. The single-bay wings were fabric-covered, with a swept upper wing.Gray and Thetford 1961, p.137.

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.

File:Halberstadt CL.II bomb rack.jpg

The CL.II passed its Typenprüfung (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 improved CL.IV in mid-1918. A further 200 CL.II aircraft were built in 1918 by the Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke (BFW).

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. It also proved well suited to close support, which became the primary role of the CL-type aircraft, the units operating them being re-designated Schlachtstaffeln (Battle flights).Gray and Thetford 1961, p.136.

Ground support by the Schlachtstaffeln 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 the Battle of Cambrai, where they were a significant factor in the German performance.Gray and Thetford 1961, p.136-137.

File:Captured Halberstadt CL.II side view 1918.jpg

File:Frank Luke.gif with a shot down Halberstadt of Flieger Abteilung 36 on 18 September 1918]]

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 the Spring Offensive in March 1918, with 38 Schlachtstaffeln (equipped with the CL.II, CL.IV and the Hannover CL.III) available, of which 27 were deployed against the British forces during the initial attack Operation MichaelGray and Thetford 1961, p.140-141. The CL.II continued in service until the end of the War.

The only existing Halberstadt CL.II is exhibited in the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków. This unique plane served as the personal aircraft of the Commander of Luftstreitkräfte general Ernst von Hoeppner.

File:Halberstadt CL.II '15459-17' (14205021538).jpg

;CL.II

:Main production type, powered by Mercedes D.III engine of 110 kW (150 hp).

;CL.IIa

:CL.II fitted with BMW IIIa engine. Few produced for evaluation purposes.Green and Swanborough 1994, p.274.

;{{flag|German Empire}}

• Luftstreitkräfte

;{{flag|Lithuania|1918}} (postwar)

• Lithuanian Air Force

;{{flag|Poland}} (postwar)

• Polskie Siły Powietrzne

{{Aircraft specs

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|crew=2

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|power/mass=0.11 kW/kg (0.06 hp/lb)

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• 1 × {{convert|7.92|mm|abbr=on|3}} LMG 08/15 "Spandau" machine gun, synchronized
• 1 × {{convert|7.92|mm|abbr=on|3}} Parabellum MG14 machine gun, on ring mount for observer

|bombs=

• 10 x stick grenades
• Up to 5 × 10 kg (22 lb) Wurfgranaten 15 trench mortar fragmentation bombs{{cite web |url=http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25592.htm|title=Halberstadt CL.II/CL.IIa |website=flyingmachines.ru|publisher=Their Flying Machines|access-date=9 August 2015}}

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{{aircontent|

|related=*Halberstadt CL.IV

|similar aircraft=*Hannover CL.III

• Bristol Fighter

|lists=

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

• Angelucci, Enzo (ed.). World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. London: Jane's, 1981. {{ISBN|0-7106-0148-4}}.
• Gray, Peter and Thetford, Owen. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962.
• Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Smithmark, 1994. {{ISBN|0-8317-3939-8}}.
• {{cite book |last1=Kabatek |first1=Mateusz |last2=Kulczynski |first2=Fr. Robert SDB |title=German Aircraft in Polish Service: Volume 1: Halberstadt Cl.II, Cl.IV, C.V; LVG C.VI; & Hannover Cl.V |date=2022 |publisher=Aeronaut Books |location=n.p.|name-list-style=amp |isbn=978-1-953201-58-4|series=Great War Aviation Centennial Series|volume=70}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Klaauw|first1=Bart van der|title=Unexpected Windfalls: Accidentally or Deliberately, More than 100 Aircraft 'arrived' in Dutch Territory During the Great War |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=March–April 1999 |issue=80 |pages=54–59 |issn=0143-5450}}

{{commons category|Halberstadt CL.II}}

• [http://www.spartacus-educational.com/FWWhalberstadt.htm Halberstadt CL-II] Spartacus Educational
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130908024332/http://www.wwiaviation.com/German_2seaters.html German Two Seaters]

{{Halberstadt aircraft}}

{{Idflieg C-class designations}}

{{Authority control}}

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