Johannes Janzen
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Johannes Janzen was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories.
, had moved up to the wing command of Jagdgruppe I. The next day, Janzen became an ace by shooting down a Spad
. On 9 May, he survived being downed by Captain Oliver Colin LeBoutillier
; Janzen's plane's controls had been shot away, but he spun harmlessly to the ground. Janzen went on to rack up eight more wins through 7 June 1918. Two days later, his plane's machine gun synchronization gear failed and Janzen shot off his own propeller while attacking a Spad. He was captured, but escaped in December.
from January through May 1920. He is believed to have died during the 1980s.
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 thirteen aerial victories.
Early service
On 3 August 1914, Janzen volunteered for duty in No. 1 Leibhussaren Regiment. He was promoted to Leutnant on 24 February 1916. He transferred to aviation duty on 4 May 1916. He trained with FEA 3 until 22 August, then forwarded to Kasta 12. He received his pilot's badge on 8 October, with the Second Class Iron Cross following the day after. He was assigned to combat with Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 23 on 28 November 1916. He scored his first aerial victory with them on 25 February 1917. His First Class Iron Cross was awarded on 29 March. On 16 October, he was transferred to Royal Prussian Jagstaffel 6. He scored three more victories between 30 November 1917 and 27 March 1918.Command
On 28 March 1918, he was appointed to command of Royal Prussian Jagstaffel 4. He helmed Jasta 4 without scoring any victories through 3 May 1918. On that day, he was transferred to command of Jasta 6, whose CO Willi ReinhardWilhelm Reinhard
Wilhelm "Willi" Reinhard was a German pilot during World War I. Reinhard was born in Düsseldorf and became a flying ace during the war, credited with 20 victories....
, had moved up to the wing command of Jagdgruppe I. The next day, Janzen became an ace by shooting 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:...
. On 9 May, he survived being downed by Captain Oliver Colin LeBoutillier
Oliver Colin LeBoutillier
Captain Oliver Colin LeBoutillier was a World War I aviator who witnessed the death of Manfred von Richthofen...
; Janzen's plane's controls had been shot away, but he spun harmlessly to the ground. Janzen went on to rack up eight more wins through 7 June 1918. Two days later, his plane's machine gun synchronization gear failed and Janzen shot off his own propeller while attacking a Spad. He was captured, but escaped in December.
Postwar
Janzen served in Flieger Staffel 120 of the ReichswehrReichswehr
The Reichswehr formed the military organisation of Germany from 1919 until 1935, when it was renamed the Wehrmacht ....
from January through May 1920. He is believed to have died during the 1980s.