A long serving (since 1910) infantryman with the 3rd Brandenburg Infantry Regiment, he learned to fly in 1913 gaining his flying certificate.
He joined the GAAS in August 1914 and completed training as an observer with FA 23 and completed many operational missions.
In December 1915 Berthold learned to fly fighters but was seriously injured in a crash landing in April 1916.
Commissioned to Leutnant in April 1916.
Shot down his first aircraft - Voisin (model unknown) - on 2nd February 1916.
Returning prematurely to flying duties, in August 1916 he founded Jasta 4.
In October 1916, he took over the command of Jasta 14.
In May 1917, Berthold was again badly wounded when he was shot down.
After a long hospitalisation he again returned prematurely to duty and was given command of Jasta 18 and promotion to Oberleutnant.
Was again wounded on 10th October 1917 whilst commanding Jasta 18, and again made an early return to duty taking command of JG 2.
Was promoted to Hauptmann in October 1917.
On 10th August 1918, as commander of JG 2 he was seriously wounded for the fourth time in a double collision with an enemy aircraft and a brick building.
This double collision with an Airco DH 4 was his last victory.
Berthold was out of action for the rest of the Great War.
Survived the Great War only to be murdered in March 1920 (strangled with his own PLM ribbon) during civil disturbances in Germany.
Confirmed victories.
| Aeroplanes Voisin | Voisin 5 | 1 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing Co | Airco DH 4 | 5 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing Co | Airco DH 5 | 1 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing Co | Airco DH 9 | 1 |
| British & Colonial Aeroplane Co. Ltd | Bristol F 2B | 2 |
| Caudron, Frères | Caudron ? | 1 |
| Farman Frères | Farman ? | 2 |
| Martinsyde Ltd | Martinsyde G 100 | 2 |
| Royal Aircraft Factory | RAF B 12 | 1 |
| Royal Aircraft Factory | RAF BE 2c | 3 |
| Royal Aircraft Factory | RAF RE 8 | 5 |
| Royal Aircraft Factory | RAF SE 5a | 2 |
| Section Technique de l'Aeronautique | Dorand AR2 | 1 |
| Société Anonymes des Ateliers des Aviation Louis Bréguet | Bréguet ? | 1 |
| Société Anonyme des Etablissements, Nieuport | Nieuport ? | 1 |
| Société Anonyme des Etablissements, Nieuport | Nieuport 27 | 1 |
| Société S.P.A.D. | Spad ? | 6 |
| Société S.P.A.D. | Spad A2 | 2 |
| Société S.P.A.D. | Spad S XIII | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith ? | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith Camel | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith Pup | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith TR2 | 1 |
| French unidentified aircraft | 1 | |
| Total | 44 |
