Friedrich Friedrichs | |
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Nickname | Fritz |
Born | 21 February 1895 Spork, Westphalia, Germany |
Died | 15 July 1918 Arcq, France |
Allegiance | German Empire |
Service/branch | Infantry, then flying service |
Years of service | ca 1915–1918 |
Rank | Leutnant |
Unit | FA(A) 264, Jasta 10 |
Awards | Pour le merite, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross |
Leutnant Friedrich Friedrichs was a World War I fighter ace credited with 21 victories.[1]
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Friedrich Friedrichs was born in Spork, Westphalia, in western Germany, on 21 February 1895.[1] His father was a customs official. Friedrichs attended Hermann-Tast Gymnasium. He received his diploma in 1914.[2] He was interested in a medical career.[3]
He volunteered for service in Infantry Regiment No. 85 on 14 August 1914. On 9 October, he went to the front. He served with them until seconded to officer training in Munich. Upon graduation on 23 September 1915, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the reserves and posted to Infantry Regiment No. 32.[3] With them, he went into action in Serbia from 8 to 20 October. During this campaign, he was hit by shellfire and wounded so seriously that he was declared unfit for further duty because of permanent damage to his left leg.[2]
Friedrichs then transferred to the Luftstreitkräfte.[1] He underwent training from 1 October 1916 through 20 February 1917. He undertook aviation training at Cologne and Paderborn before learning artillery observation at Jüterbog. On 9 June, he was posted to FA(A) 264, an artillery observation squadron. While serving with them, he won the First Class Iron Cross.[2]
Pfalz D.III | |
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Friedrichs flew this type without success when first assigned to fly fighters. |
On 4 January 1918, he began a week's Jastashule. Upon completion, he moved up to Royal Prussian Jasta 10, a part of Jagdgeschwader 1, to fly a Pfalz D.III.[2]
His first claim, on 18 March 1918, went unconfirmed. Three days later, he became a balloon buster, blasting one of the floating observation posts at Ruyalcourt,[1] France, in the vicinity of the Somme.[4] He scored once more in March, downing a SE.5a on the 27th.
He had no successes in April. He shot down a D.H.9 on 3 May, and a Sopwith Camel on the 15th. Three days later, he began a string of six consecutive victories over observation balloons that ended on 8 June 1918. This brought his count to ten. He ran off nine more triumphs that month, including four more balloons.[1]
He had one confirmed win, over a Nieuport 28 on 2 July, and an unconfirmed claim on 8 July.[1]
On 15 July, one of the unusual hazards of balloon busting caught up with Friedrichs. The incendiary bullets loaded on his airplane spontaneously ignited and set his Fokker on fire. Friedrichs jumped out of the conflagration, trusting to his parachute.[1] The parachute harness and lines entangled in the plane's tail and Friedrichs fell to his death.[5]
He had been recommended for the Pour le Merite. Reportedly, it was awarded on 20 July, five days after his death.[6] However, the rolls of the order do not list him as a recipient.[7]
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