| Hans Christian Friedrich Donhauser | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 September 1894 |
| Died | 13 January 1919 Coblenz, Germany |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit | FA 10, Jasta 17 |
| Awards | Military Merit Cross, Iron Cross |
Leutnant Hans Christian Friedrich Donhauser was a World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories. He scored his first victory on 18 May 1918, while he was flying artillery spotting missions. After his transfer to Jasta 17, he rapidly ran up a score. His second victory was on 20 August 1918; by the end of the month, his count was nine. He won twice more in September, and scored eight triumphs in October, with the last one on 23 October, just over two months after joining the jagdstaffel.[1] He was awarded the Military Merit Cross, which was Germany's highest decoration for valor awarded to noncommissioned officers, on 9 October 1918.[2] The Sanke photo postcard of him dubbed him a vizefeldwebel; the award was obviously won before his commissioning.[3] At war's end, he was in the first detachment of German pilots to surrender their aircraft.[4]
At about this time, on 30 December 1918, he was the subject of an article in the New York Times. It noted that he claimed to have shot down and killed Quentin Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt's son. It also stated that at 94 pounds, he was the smallest aviator in the German air force.[5]
He stayed at Coblenz after the surrender, and died in a crash a fortnight later, on 13 January 1919.[6]