Hans Joachim Buddecke

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hans-Joachim Buddecke (born on August 22, 1890, killed in action on March 10, 1918).

[edit] Life

Hans-Joachim Buddecke served the German army as a combat aviator during World War I. He was the third, after Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke, who earned the Blue Max (Pour le Mérite). Born in Berlin, Buddecke followed his father's footsteps into the Army. Starting as a Cadet in 1904, he received his commission as Lieutenant in the 115 Lifeguard Infantry Regiment in 1910. Buddecke left the army in 1913 due to his little time for a social life and started to create enthusiasm for flying. In the same year, he flew over to the U.S.A. to start a new life. There, he worked as a mechanic at a car factory in Indianapolis. By saving his earnings, he soon was able to buy his own aircraft and he immediately taught himself how to fly. On the day Buddecke started his own aircraft production company, war was declared and, without any hesitation, he abandoned his business plans and returned to Germany. Travelling with a fake name, Buddecke crossed the Atlantic in the Greek ship Athene to Palermo (Italy). After he arrived in Europe, he immediately made his way home to join the German Flying Service.

Buddecke was send to the Western Front in September 1914. First he flew as an observer but soon he would make promotion to a single-seated fighter pilot. After a successful campaign in Turkey, Buddecke was recalled to the Western Front in the late August 1916 as Leader of one of the newly formed Jagdstaffeln (specialised fighter squadrons), Jasta 4.

Buddecke served in several squadrons: FA5, FA6, FA23 and Jasta 4, 18 and 30. He died during an aerial combat above France on 10 March 1918. Hans-Joachim Buddecke is buried at the Invalidenfriedhof Cemetery in Berlin.