Fritz Otto Bernert

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R.I.P
Fritz

Oberleutnant Fritz Otto Bernert (commonly called Otto) (6 March 1893 – 18 October 1918) was a leading German fighter ace of World War I. After being invalided from infantry duty after his fourth wound, Bernert joined the aviation branch. After pilot training, he scored 27 victories between 17 April 1916 and 7 May 1917 despite being essentially one-armed and wearing pince-nez. Among his 15 victories during Bloody April were five scored in 20 minutes on 13 April 1917. He was promoted to squadron command, first of Jagdstaffel 6, then of Jagdstaffel 2. Removed from command on 18 August 1918 by wounds and illness, he died of influenza on 18 October 1918.

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Early life and infantry service Fritz Otto Bernert was the son of a Bürgermeister (mayor). He was born in Ratibor, Silesia, which now is Racibórz, Poland. At the time of his birth, Ratibor was German and part of the Kingdom of Prussia. Bernert was commissioned into the 173rd Infantry Regiment in 1912. He was serving with them when World War I began. He was wounded in ground combat in both November and December 1914; his fourth wound, inflicted by a bayonet, severed the major nerve in his left arm. Upon recovery, it became apparent his left arm was essentially useless, and he was invalided out of the infantry.

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Bernert then applied to the Luftstreitkräfte and trained to be an aerial observer. Upon graduation, he flew reconnaissance missions for Feldflieger Abteilung 27. He then transferred to Feldflieger Abteilung 71, where he served through November. Bernert then applied for pilot's training; he hid his disability successfully and was accepted. The fact that he wore pince-nez also did not bar him from service. He transferred to Kampfeinsitzerkommando Metz, a temporary grouping of pilots mostly from Feldflieger Abteilung 71, for his initial assignment to a fighter unit. By March, 1916, he had his pilot's license and was assigned to Kampfeinsitzerkommando Vaux. On 17 April 1916, he scored his first victory while flying a Fokker Eindecker, over a Nieuport fighter. The ad hoc Kampfeinsitzerkommando Vaux was equipped with Halberstadt D.II planes and reorganized into a full-fledged permanent Prussian fighter squadron. It became Jagdstaffel 4 on 25 August 1916. On 6 September, Bernert scored the new squadron's first victory. He became an ace on 9 November 1916, scoring his fifth, sixth, and seventh triumphs. On 1 March 1917, he was transferred to Jagdstaffel 2. This squadron, named in honor of Oswald Boelcke, the founder of fighter aviation tactics and strategy, was considered the premier…Citește mai mult

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Bernert in command On 1 May, Bernert was appointed to command Jagdstaffel 6. His final three victories came in May, with an unconfirmed 28th on 19 May. In mid-May, Bernert crashlanded behind German lines after his engine quit in mid-combat. A few days later, he landed long, ran out of airfield, and crashed next to his home aerodrome, breaking his jaw and bruising himself severely. Although unable to fly, Bernert did not give up his command. On 9 June 1917, Bernert was transferred back to Jasta 2, and would command it to the end of his flying career. The previous commanding officer had scored no victories to inspire his pilots; as it turned out, because of his injuries, Bernert could do no better. However, he hosted a delegation of pilots from neutral Sweden. He also welcomed several pilots from Austro-Hungary during his tenure, including Raoul Stojsavljevic, and thus influenced the fighter tactics of Germany's allies. He also took some leave during June and July. Bernert was severely wounded again on 18 August 1917. This wound was the final straw that took him off flight status and removed him from command. On the 28th, he was transferred to aid the Inspector…Citește mai mult