Johannes Klein

Leutnant Johannes Klein (died 1926) was a German World War I flying ace credited with 16 confirmed and two unconfirmed aerial victories.[1] He should not be confused with another Johannes Klein, who was actually the driver for and present during the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich.

Johannes Klein
Died1926
AllegianceGermany
Service/branchAviation
RankLeutnant
UnitJagdstaffel 27 or Jagdstaffel 29;
Jagdstaffel 18;
Jagdstaffel 15
AwardsRoyal House Order of Hohenzollern;
Iron Cross

Biography

Johannes Klein's life is unknown before he began his aviation service. He became a fighter pilot in February 1917, and received his initial assignment to either Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 27 or Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 29. Regardless of his exact assignment, he failed to score any aerial victories. He switched to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 18 in August 1917, and scored his first victories there, downing a Spad on 16 August and a Sopwith Camel on 5 September. Klein then transferred to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 15 as part of Rudolf Berthold's swapping of personnel between the two units.[2] Klein scored the remainder of his wins between 30 March and 25 September 1918.[1][3]

Klein was slightly wounded on 15 September 1918. He was awarded the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern on 19 September 1918,[4] having previously earned the Iron Cross.[5]

Johannes Klein died in 1926.[5]

Sources
  1. The Aerodrome website page on Klein Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  2. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918, p. 71
  3. Fokker D.VII Aces of World War I, Part 1. p. 69.
  4. The Aerodrome website page on the Hohenzollern Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  5. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918, p. 145

References
  • 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 978-0-948817-73-1.
  • Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1, Part 1. Norman Franks, Greg VanWyngarden. Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-533-3, ISBN 978-1-84176-533-4.


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