Erich Löwenhardt

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Oblt. Erich Löwenhardt wearing his Pour le Mérite

Oberleutnant Erich Löwenhardt (April 7, 1897 - August 10, 1918) was the 3rd highest German flying ace with 54 victories during the First World War, behind only Manfred von Richthofen and Ernst Udet.

Löwenhardt was born in Breslau, Silesia, Germany (a son of a Doctor). As a prewar cadet he was 17 when hostilities erupted in August 1914 and saw infantry action in the East with the Imperial German Army. In weeks he had been commissioned, decorated, and wounded, but returned to his unit in the Carpathians. In early 1915 he received the Iron Cross 1st Class for saving five wounded men.

Upon transfer to the Imperial German Army Air Service, Löwenhardt qualified as an observer, then finished pilot training in 1916. Following additional service in two-seaters he transferred to fighters and joined Jagdstaffel 10 in March 1917. "Jasta" 10 was one of four squadrons in Manfred von Richthofen's geschwader (wing), and the 20-year-old flier soon made a name for himself. By year end he had eight victories, and upon doubling his score he became the commander of Jasta 10.

Löwenhardt was an aggressive, skilled fighter whose score grew steadily. At the end of May 1918 he received Germany's highest honour, the Pour le Mérite (Blue Max) after 24 kills. Flying the new Fokker D.VII, he added eight more in June and no fewer than 16 in July. His tally climbed to 53 on August 9.

The next day (August 10, 1918) Löwenhardt shot down a British fighter near Chaulnes (Somme area of France). However, he collided with another Fokker (of Jasta 11) and though he jumped from his aircraft, his parachute failed to open. He was 21. (The other pilot, Lt. Alfred Wenz, bailed out successfully.)