In January 1918, two D.VIs were entered into the first fighter competition held by
Idflieg at
Adlershof, one powered by a 160 hp (119 kW)
Mercedes D.III engine and the other by a
Benz Bz.IIIa of similar power and, like the Mercedes, another upright, inline, six cylinder engine . Although the winner of the competition was the cheaper
Fokker D.VII, orders were placed for the Roland as insurance against production problems with the Fokker. A total of 350 were built, 150 D.VIas powered by the Mercedes, while the remaining 200 were powered by the Benz and were called D.VIb. Deliveries started in May 1918, with 70 D.VIs in frontline service on 31 August 1918. ==Operators==