Flying High in the Sky
German Planes in WWI
Know the Facts:
- There was a variety of planes used. Some of the planes include Sopwith Camel, Fokker D.VII, Albatros D.III and many more.
- Planes were used to carry many bombs and to drop them onto the enemies below from the sky.
- Planes would be equipped with mounted machine guns to shoot enemies below and enemy planes in the sky.
- One of the most famous planes during WWI was the Fokker Eindecker which was a single seat German fighter plane. This plane made Germany have air superiority and it was equipped with a synchronized machine gun.
- A German pilot, Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen or "Red Baron", was offically credited with 80 air combat victories.
- Most planes during WWI were paired with bombings. For Germany, they had the "Gotha bomber" which was designed for long-range service.
Story about a German Pilot:
Werner Voss is known as a great airman, close to the Red Baron's title. He won the title "Pour le Merite" which was Germany's highest military honor during WWI. He was well known for his flying style and accuracy in combat. When he would win in the air, he would go down to the wreckage to claim a souvenir. The last dogfight of his time and the greatest at that, September 23, 1917 was an interesting experience during the war. Voss was outnumbered by 7 experienced British pilots. He tried his best but of course, he wasn't able to do much. He spent 10 minutes flying in circles around his opponents and dodging machine guns. He was able to get 3 British planes out of the sky, but was shot down and killed soon after. One of the British pilots even described Voss as "the bravest German airman whom it has been my privilege to see fight."
https://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-famous-wwi-fighter-aces
Sources:
- https://www.ranker.com/list/world-war-1-airplanes/mike-rothschild?var=7&utm_expid=16418821-388.8yjUEguUSkGHvlaagyulMg.1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
- http://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_i/aviation_and_aircraft_of_ww1.php
- https://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-famous-wwi-fighter-aces
- https://www.history.com/news/ace-of-aces-how-the-red-baron-became-wwis-most-legendary-fighter-pilot
- http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/aerial-warfare-and-world-war-one/aircraft-and-world-war-one/
Different German Planes and a Few Facts:
Albatros D.III
- A biplane fighter aircraft
- Top speed: 109 mph
- Wingspan: 29' 0"
- Weight: 1,532 lbs
Etrich Taube
- Monoplane aircraft
- Top speed: 62 mph
- Wingspan: 47' 0"
- Length: 32'
Pfalz D.XII
- Fighter aircraft
- Top speed: 106 mph
- Wingspan: 30' 0"
- Length: 20.38'