Hermann Habich

Leutnant Hermann Habich (1895–?) Iron Cross, Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order was one of the original pilots in the German Air Service, having earned his brevet two months before World War I began. He is noted for having killed French aviation pioneer Roland Garros. Habich scored seven victories in all, becoming a flying ace.

Hermann Habich
Born15 August 1895
Plättig, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire
DiedPost World War II
AllegianceGermany
Service/branchAviation
RankLieutenant
UnitFeldflieger Abteilung 47, Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 215, Jagdstaffel 49
AwardsIron Cross First and Second Class, Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order
Other workServed in World War II

Early life

Hermann Habich was born in Plättig, the Grand Duchy of Baden, the German Empire on 15 August 1895. He was a pioneer aviator, having gained his license, number 697, before the start of World War I, on 17 March 1914.[1]

World War I

Habich was one of the early German military fliers, joining Feldflieger Abteilung 47 performing aerial reconnaissance as an Unteroffizier in late 1914. He then transferred to Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 215 for artillery reconnaissance and ranging duties. He was awarded the Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order by his native Baden on 5 February 1915, followed by both classes of the Iron Cross; his First Class Iron Cross was awarded 18 March 1916. In August 1916, he was promoted to Offizierstellvertreter and applied for duty in a fighter squadron. On 8 January 1918, he joined Jagdstaffel 49 in France. By this time, as a Leutnant, he was senior enough to sometimes assume command as the deputy commander. He scored his first air-to-air victory on 27 March 1918. By war’s end, he had destroyed five more enemy aircraft and an observation balloon.[1]

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location
1 27 March 1918 @ 1100 hours Albatros D.III or Albatros D.V Airco DH.4 Ser. No. A7767 Destroyed Bapaume, France
2 2 September 1918 @ 1320 hours Albatros Breguet 14 Destroyed Between Châlons-en-Champagne and Suippes, France
3 7 September 1918 @ 1135 hours Albatros SPAD Destroyed Saint-Hilaire, France
4 26 September 1918 @ 1540 hours Albatros Observation balloon Destroyed Minaucourt-le-Mesnil-lès-Hurlus, France
5 30 September 1918 @ 1820 hours Albatros SPAD Destroyed Maure, France
6 5 October 1918 @ 1106 hours Albatros SPAD, Roland Garros[2] Destroyed Somme-Py, France
7 6 October 1918 @ 0830 hours Albatros Brequet 14 Destroyed Somme-Py, France[3][1]

Post World War I

Habich remained in aviation after World War I, becoming a flight instructor. He returned to service in World War II, commanding a night operations unit in Russia.[1]

Legacy

Habich is widely credited with being the aviator who shot down and killed Roland Garros.[2]

References
  • Franks, Norman; Frank Bailey;Russell Guest (1993) Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918. Grub Street Publishing. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
  • Guttman, Jon (2002). SPAD XII/XIII aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-316-0

Endnotes
  1. Franks, et al., p. 122.
  2. Guttman, p. 20.
  3. Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/habich.php Retrieved 18 January 2012.
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