Herbert Knappe
Encyclopedia
Leutnant Herbert Wilhelm Franz Knappe was a flying ace
during World War I. He was credited with nine confirmed aerial victories while fighting on both the Russian Front
and Western Front
.
Knappe joined the Luftstreitkräfte
in September 1914. He was commissioned Leutnant on 17 May 1916. He scored his first victory the following month, on 5 June, while flying with Feld-Fleiger Abteilung 21. He used an Albatros D.II
to down a Russian airplane.
His second triumph would not come for almost two years. From FFA 21, Knappe would be posted to Jasta Ober-Ost, then on to join Jasta 81 in France. He began 1918 with receipt of the House Order of the Hohenzollen on 9 January. On 31 May 1918, he shot down a Spad
over Remigny
. On 7 June, he took out an enemy observation balloon
at Fleury-la-Rivière
. Two days later, he shot down an AR2. A week after that, on 16 June, he himself was shot down for the second time.
Knappe's 22 July 1918 victory over a Spad made him an ace. He would run off a string of four more victories, on 4, 7, 10, and 11 August 1918. On 25 August 1918, Knappe was wounded so severely he could not return to combat before war's end.
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...
during World War I. He was credited with nine confirmed aerial victories while fighting on both the Russian 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...
and 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...
.
Knappe joined the Luftstreitkräfte
Luftstreitkräfte
The Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte , known before October 1916 as Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches , or simply Die Fliegertruppen, was the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I...
in September 1914. He was commissioned Leutnant on 17 May 1916. He scored his first victory the following month, on 5 June, while flying with Feld-Fleiger Abteilung 21. He used an Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
to down a Russian airplane.
His second triumph would not come for almost two years. From FFA 21, Knappe would be posted to Jasta Ober-Ost, then on to join Jasta 81 in France. He began 1918 with receipt of the House Order of the Hohenzollen on 9 January. On 31 May 1918, he shot down a Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
over Remigny
Remigny
Remigny or Rémigny may refer to the following places:in Canada* Rémigny, Quebecin France* Remigny, Aisne, a commune in the department of Aisne* Remigny, Saône-et-Loire, a commune in the department of Saône-et-Loire...
. On 7 June, he took out an enemy observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
at Fleury-la-Rivière
Fleury-la-Rivière
Fleury-la-Rivière is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Marne department...
. Two days later, he shot down an AR2. A week after that, on 16 June, he himself was shot down for the second time.
Knappe's 22 July 1918 victory over a Spad made him an ace. He would run off a string of four more victories, on 4, 7, 10, and 11 August 1918. On 25 August 1918, Knappe was wounded so severely he could not return to combat before war's end.
Reference
- Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918. Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0948817739, 9780948817731.