Otto Fruhner

Leutnant (subsequently Generalmajor) Otto Fruhner (6 September 1893 - 19 June 1965) was a German World War I fighter pilot credited with 27 victories.^[1] He was one of the first aviators to parachute from a stricken aircraft.^[2]

Otto Fruhner
Born	6 September 1893 Breig, Schleissen
Died	19 June 1965 Villach, Austria
Allegiance	German Empire
Service/branch	Air Service
Rank	Leutnant
Unit	FA 51, FA 20, Jagdstaffel 26
Awards	Military Merit Cross, Iron Cross
Other work	Generalmajor in Luftwaffe during World War II

Early service

Otto Fruhner was originally an aviation mechanic, starting in late 1914. He then underwent pilot training, and flew as an enlisted pilot of two seater aircraft on the Eastern Front against the Russians. He then volunteered for fighter duty, and was assigned to Jagdstaffel 26.^[3]

Fighter service

His combat successes began when he was serving in Jagdstaffel 26. He shot down two Sopwiths in two separate engagements on 3 September 1917.

There was a four month lapse. Then, on 3 January 1918, he scored for the third time, and continued his success through March, with his 9th victory on the 26th.^[1] On 3 June, he was awarded the Prussian Military Merit Cross, the highest award for valor available to enlisted men in the German military.^[4] There was another lapse of three months; then on 1 July, he downed his tenth victim to become an Überkanone. From that point on, he accrued victories until 4 September 1918.^[1] On the 4th, he shot down three Sopwith Camels from 70 Squadron of the Royal Air Force as his share of the eight losses by the British; this dogfight was the largest loss of fighters ever suffered by the RAF in a single engagement in World War I.

Fruhner was subsequently commissioned. He was also proposed for the Pour le Merite, the German military's highest award for bravery. The Pour le Merite was reserved for officers, just as the Military Merit Cross was for enlisted men.^[5] There were only five German aces who won both awards.^[6] However, the Kaiser abdicated before approving the award.^[5]

On 20 September 1918, while in a dogfight with Sopwith Camels of 203 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, he collided with one of them. Although injured, he leapt from his irreparably damaged aircraft and parachuted to safety. The Camel he had collided with crashed; it was credited as Fruhner's 27th victory.^[1][2][5]

Post World War I service

In 1935, Fruhner joined the Luftwaffe as a major commanding a flying school. He later rose in rank in the Luftwaffe during World War II.^[3] Remaining in training commands, he eventually attained the rank of Generalmajor.^[5]

Inline citations

1. ^ ^{a b c d} http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/fruhner.php
2. ^ ^{a b} http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/PROJECT/Parachutes/1914_18.htm
3. ^ ^{a b} Franks, Norman (2000). Albatros Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 1855329603, 9781855329607. 
4. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/medals/germany/prussia_mmc.php?pageNum_recipients=1&totalRows_recipients=22#recipients
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Franks, Norman; Greg VanWyngarden (2003). Fokker D VII Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing. pp. 80–81. ISBN 1841765333, 9781841765334. 
6. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/17880-pour-le-merite-hans-ziegler-fl-abt-270-a.html

References

• Albatros Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329603, 9781855329607.
• Fokker D VII Aces of World War I. Norman Franks, Greg VanWyngarden. Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1841765333, 9781841765334.

Persondata
Name	Fruhner, Otto
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	6 September 1893
Place of birth	Breig, Schleissen
Date of death	19 June 1965
Place of death	Villach, Austria