Robert Heibert

Offizierstellvertreter Robert Heibert (8 January 1886–10 May 1933) was a German flying ace during World War I. He was credited with 13 confirmed aerial victories; he also had seven unconfirmed wins.

World War I

Heibert was a native of Oberfall in the Mosel region. He joined the German army in August 1914. He transferred to aerial duty in May 1915 as a two-seater pilot on artillery cooperation duty. He was active in the skies over Verdun. He then became a fighter pilot, and was stationed with Jasta 33.^[1] He enjoyed his first aerial success there, downing a Sopwith northeast of Dixmude on 20 August 1917. After a transfer in December 1917 to help found Jasta 46,^[2] he resumed his winning ways with a double win on 16 February 1918. He would run off a string of ten more confirmed wins through 9 August, including busting two balloons on 1 August. He ended the war with 13 victories certified;^[3] some or all of seven more may have failed to gain approval as the German administrative system bogged down.^[4]

Heibert was awarded the Military Merit Cross, which was the highest award for valor available to a German enlisted man. He also won the Iron Cross. He had been wounded four times, which should have qualified him for a Silver Wound Badge.^[5]

Post World War I

Heibert committed suicide on 19 May 1933.^[6]

Reference

• Franks, Norman. Albatros Aces of World War 1: Volume 32 of Aircraft of the Aces; Volume 32 of Osprey Aviation Series; Volume 32 of Osprey Aircraft of the Aces. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329603, 9781855329607.
• Franks, Norman, & van Wyngarten, Greg. Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1, Part 2: Aircraft of the Aces, 63; Osprey Aircraft of the Aces. Osprey Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1841767298, 9781841767291.

Endnotes