Josef Mai

Leutnant Josef Mai (3 March 1887 - 18 January 1982) Iron Cross First and Second Class, was a World War I fighter pilot credited with 30 victories.

Josef Mai was born in Ottorowo, Galizien.

Mai joined the German air service in 1915. He originally served in KG 5 and/or Kasta 29, in reconnaissance craft. He then underwent fighter training and joined Jagdstaffel 5 in March 1917. He was ranked as a Vizefeldwebel, or non-commissioned pilot. He was one of three non-coms who flew together so successfully they ended up with 40% of the Jasta's victories among them. The trio was nicknamed "The Golden Triumvirate'.

Mai scored his first victory on 20 August 1917. He was flying an Albatros Scout, and he downed a Sopwith Camel. His fifth victory, over a SE.5a, was on 30 November, making him an ace by usual reckoning, and all over opposing fighters.

Mai did not score again until 13 January 1918. On 25 April 1918, he shot down British ace Maurice Newnham, for his tenth victory. This triumph made Mai a "kanone", or "big gun"; this was the German standard for acedom.

He switched over from an Albatros scout after his 11th win, 2 May 1918. At that time, Jasta 5 was sharing an airstrip with Richthofen's Jagdschwader 1, and as the Flying Circus re-equipped with new Fokker D.VIIs, Mai scored a castoff Fokker Dr.I triplane. He flew that for his next win, over a pair of aces in a Bristol F.2b. In downing the Brisfit, Mai killed Herbert Sellars. Charles Robson survived and was taken prisoner.

Mai flew the triplane for two more victories, until he too received a D.VII, which he flew through war's end.

Mai was prone to paint his planes in a "zebra stripe" pattern, the theory being the optical illusion would help to throw off an enemy pilot's aim. Painted on this background was his insignia of a star and crescent. His Albatros and D.VII were known to bear this paint job; the Dr.l's paint is uncertain.

On 19 August 1918, he had his most successful day. He outsped his squadron mates to attack two Bristol F2B fighters from 48 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. As he laced one Brisfit with incendiary ammunition, the other swerved away from the incoming fire and into his wrecked companion. Mai followed up this double kill by downing an SE.5a on the way home.

On 3 September, he was wounded in action.

On 27 September 1918, the very day he achieved his 29th success, Mai was promoted to leutnant. His friend, Fritz Rumey, was also killed in action.

Mai capped his tally with his 30th and last score, killing the British quadruple ace Nicholson Boulton on 29 September 1918.

Mai was nominated for Germany's highest honor, the Pour le Merite, or Blue Max. Before it could be approved, the war ended with Germany's loss.

Mai is believed to have become a flying instructor for the Luftwaffe during World War II.

Reference/Outside Links

* Norman Franks, et al. Fokker D VII Aces of World War I: Part 2. Osprey Publishing, 2004.
* Norman Franks, et al. Fokker Dr I Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing, 2001.
* Norman Franks. Albatros Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing, 2000.
* http://www.nicks-aviation-art.com/default.asp?id=13&mnu=13 Accessed 25 September 2008.
* http://www.military-art.com/mall/more.php?ProdID=14747 Accessed 25 September 2008.
* http://www.first-world-war.com/se_5.htm Accessed 25 September 2008.