Franz Buchner
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| Franz Buchner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 January 1898 Leipzig, Germany |
| Died | 18 March 1920 Germany |
| Occupation | Pilot |
Franz Buchner (2 January 1898-18 March 1920) was one of the most successful German fighter aces of the First World War.
Buchner was born in Leipzig and volunteered for the army in 1914, aged 16. He fought on both the western and eastern fronts and, despite his extreme youth, he was commissioned in 1916. After being wounded he transferred to the Army Air Service and was assigned as an observation pilot.
In March 1917 Buchner became a fighter pilot, joining Jagdstaffel 9 where he scored his first victory in August. Upon transfer to Jasta 13, he found his niche under Rudolph Berthold, one of Germany's most dedicated soldiers.
With advent of the Fokker D.VII Buchner came into his own. He scored three victories in June, seven in July, eight in August, and 17 in September. He brought his tally to 40 in October when he received the Pour le Merite, one of the last awards before the Kaiser's abdication.
In the turbulent postwar period the 22-year-old Buchner flew against communist revolutionaries but was killed on March 18, only three days after Berthold was murdered in Harburg.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Norman Franks et al (1993). "Above the Lines: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service, and Flanders Marine Corps 1914-1918." Grub Street, London.
