Fritz Höhn | |
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Born | 31 May 1896 Wiesbaden, Germany |
Died | 3 October 1918 St. Martin l'Heureux, France |
Allegiance | German Empire |
Service/branch | Infantry, then flying service |
Rank | Leutnant |
Unit | 7th Guards Infantry Regiment, FA(A) 227, Jasta 60, Jasta 21, Jasta 81 |
Commands held | Jasta 41 |
Awards | Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross |
Leutnant Fritz Höhn (31 May 1896 - 3 October 1918) was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 21 victories.[1]
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Fritz Höhn began his military service in the elite 7th Guards Infantry Regiment.
Höhn began aerial duty as an artillery spotter in two-seated reconnaissance planes, flying for FA(A) 227. He was seconded to Jastaschule II and graduated as a fighter pilot. He joined Royal Saxon Jasta 21 on 15 November 1917, just as they received new Pfalz D.IIIs.[2] He shot down a Brequet 14 bomber on 1 December 1917 for his first victory.[1]
He then had Pfalz no. 4011/17 painted with diagonal stripes to deceive the aim of anyone shooting at him. However, it is unknown if Höhn and his teddy bear mascot were successful with this particular plane.[3] He did become a balloon buster for his next win, shooting down a French kite balloon from 33e Compagnie de Aerostiers on 11 April 1918. The next day, he downed a Spad and a balloon. On 20 April, he shot a double on balloons—one each from the 45e and 75e Compagnies—making him an ace. In the process, he was severely wounded in the knee.[1][4]
Upon his return in August, he added two more enemy aircraft and two more observation balloons to his tally. That made him a double ace, with ten triumphs, and a balloon ace, with six wins.[1]
Towards the end of the month, he had a fleeting assignment as commander of Jasta 60 that lasted until 3 September.[4] For the rest of the month of September 1918, Höhn was the acting commander of Jasta 81. While with them, he scored four Spads and four more balloons.[1][5]
He then was given command of Jasta 41. He scored each of the first three days of October 1918, running his total to 21. He was killed in action on 3 October 1918. His Fokker D.VII was downed by a member of French squadron Spa67.[1][4] Neither his dual rear view mirrors nor his teddy bear wired to the top of the fuselage looking rearwards saved him.[6]
Höhn's final victory total was ten balloons and eleven airplanes.[1]
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