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Friedrich Friedrichs [Germany]

Name:Friedrich "Fritz" FriedrichsBalloon Buster
Country:Germany
Rank:Leutnant
Squadrons:FAA 264
Jasta 10
Victories:21
Born:21 February 1895
Place of Birth:Spark, Westphalia
Died:15 July 1918Killed In Flying Accident
Place of Death:
Ordre Pour le Mérite (Blue Max)
Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class

Notes
Friedrichs was one of the German balloon busters. Before his transfer to the German Air Service in 1917, he served with infantry regiments until a disabling wound left him unfit for duty. By the start of 1918, Friedrichs was flying single seat aircraft with Jasta 10. More than half of his confirmed victories were against enemy balloons. On the day he died, his Fokker D.VII burst into flames when the incendiary bullets used for shooting down balloons exploded. As he baled out of the burning Fokker, his parachute caught and tore on the tailplane. Friedrichs fell to his death, never knowing he'd won the Blue Max.

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