Fritz Anders (aviator)
Fritz Gerhard Anders | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1889 Cottbus, The German Empire |
| Died | 8 November 1919 (aged 30) |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Service/ | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit | Schutzstaffel 8, Jagdstaffel 35, Jagdstaffel 4 |
| Commands held | Jagdstaffel 73 |
| Awards | Iron Cross (both classes) |
Leutnant Fritz Gerhard Anders was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was the world's first night fighter ace[1]
Early life
Fritz Gerhard Anders was born in Cottbus on 23 August 1889.[2] He was a prewar pilot, gaining pilot's license 592 on 12 November 1912.[3]
World War I service
Anders began his aerial service for the First World War as a pilot in Schutzstaffel (Protection Squadron) 8. He would serve with this early fighter-bomber unit until he was transferred to a fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 34 in March 1917. On 14 April 1917, he was wounded in action; he returned to duty ten days later. On 2 June 1917, he transferred to Jagdstaffel 4. He scored his initial aerial victory on 7 July 1917, when he downed a Sopwith Pup from Nine Naval Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service.[3]
On 20 February 1918, Anders was appointed as Staffelführer to command Jagdstaffel 73. He scored his second victory on 14 June 1918, downing a SPAD, possibly flying a Fokker Triplane. Then, flying with his squadron's pioneering nightfighting detail, Anders ran off a string of five aerial victories at night between 20 August and 25 September 1918[3] to become history's first nightfighter ace. On 13 October 1918, Anders was transferred to Jastaschule II, a school for fighter pilots.[3]
During the war, Anders earned both classes of the Iron Cross.[3]
Post World War I
Fritz Gerhard Anders died on 8 November 1919.[citation needed]
References
- Norman Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
Endnotes
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/anders.php
- ^ Anders, Fritz Gerhard, Flieger-Album.de
- ^ a b c d e Franks et al 1993, pp. 61-62.
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