Franz Schleiff
Encyclopedia
Oberleutnant Franz Schlieff (born 19 September 1896, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with twelve aerial victories.
Schlieff joined German aviation in July 1915. After training at FEA 9 in Darmstadt
, he was assigned to FA 54, an artillery cooperation unit operating on the Eastern Front
. From there, he was transferred to FA 300 in Palestine
. On 11 May 1917, he shot down a Martinsyde Elephant
over Beersheba
. He scored again, on 25 June, but failed to get confirmation when he forced an enemy fighter to land on the 29th. For his efforts, Schlieff was decorated by the Turkish government.
His next move took him to the Western Front
, to Jasta 41, in October 1917. He scored once for them, on 6 December 1917. On 9 January 1918, he was promoted to command of Jasta 56; he arrived simultaneously with Franz Piechulek
, who would become the squadron's leading ace. Beginning 19 February, and running through 24 March, he tallied nine more confirmed victories, and an unconfirmed one. On 26 March, he received the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern. On 27 March, he was wounded in the hand by a tracer bullet, and the hand had to be amputated. This ended Schlieff's flying career.
Schlieff claimed 21 victories and was nominated for the Pour le Merite
, but did not receive it.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with twelve aerial victories.
Schlieff joined German aviation in July 1915. After training at FEA 9 in Darmstadt
Darmstadt
Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.The sandy soils in the Darmstadt area, ill-suited for agriculture in times before industrial fertilisation, prevented any larger settlement from developing, until the city became the seat...
, he was assigned to FA 54, an artillery cooperation unit operating on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War I)
The Eastern Front was a theatre of war during World War I in Central and, primarily, Eastern Europe. The term is in contrast to the Western Front. Despite the geographical separation, the events in the two theatres strongly influenced each other...
. From there, he was transferred to FA 300 in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. On 11 May 1917, he shot down a Martinsyde Elephant
Martinsyde G.100
-See also:-References:* Aircraft of World War I, Kenneth Munson, 1967 Ian Allan ISBN 0-7110-0356-4-External links:* http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/gbritain/martinsyde_g100.php* http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=721...
over Beersheba
Beersheba
Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the seventh-largest city in Israel with a population of 194,300....
. He scored again, on 25 June, but failed to get confirmation when he forced an enemy fighter to land on the 29th. For his efforts, Schlieff was decorated by the Turkish government.
His next move took him to the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
, to Jasta 41, in October 1917. He scored once for them, on 6 December 1917. On 9 January 1918, he was promoted to command of Jasta 56; he arrived simultaneously with Franz Piechulek
Franz Piechulek
Leutnant Franz Piechulek was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories. He was assigned to Kest 5 on 27 October 1917. He scored his first aerial victory there, downing a Nieuport on 22 November. He then moved on to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 41 on 14 December. On 5 January 1918, he...
, who would become the squadron's leading ace. Beginning 19 February, and running through 24 March, he tallied nine more confirmed victories, and an unconfirmed one. On 26 March, he received the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern. On 27 March, he was wounded in the hand by a tracer bullet, and the hand had to be amputated. This ended Schlieff's flying career.
Schlieff claimed 21 victories and was nominated for the Pour le Merite
Pour le Mérite
The Pour le Mérite, known informally as the Blue Max , was the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order for German soldiers until the end of World War I....
, but did not receive it.