Lieutenant Hugo Schäfer (30 June 1894 - 3 February 1920) was a German fighter ace credited with 11 aerial victories during World War I.[1][2] As a member of Jasta 15 and 18, Schäfer formed a close relationship with fellow aces Georg von Hantelmann and Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay, becoming known in the Jasta as the 'Three Inseparables.'[3] Schäfer briefly became the commanding officer of Jasta 15,[4] and survived the war only to die in a flying accident on 3 February 1920.[5]
Schäfer was born on 30 June 1894 in Elberfeld, Germany. He joined the military in early 1915 and was commissioned as an officer in July. He received pilot training before joining Jasta 18 in mid-July.[5]
Aerial serviceedit
After joining Jasta 18, however, Schäfer was moved to Jasta 15 during the personnel swap ordered by Rudolf Berthold in preparation for the German spring offensive. As the offensive began, Schäfer scored his first victory over a British R.E.8 on 28 March, followed by a SPAD on the 31st and an S.E.5a on 1 April.[6][7][unreliable source] He scored 2 more victories over Breguet 14 and D.H.4 reconnaissance aircraft before being shot down by an S.E.5a on 17 June,[7][unreliable source] the day that Jasta 15 commander Kurt Wüsthoff was shot down and brought into captivity. Schäfer, however, landed his aircraft behind friendly lines, and in August he had downed another Breguet, bringing his tally to 6.[5]
During the course of the Spring Offensive, Schäfer forged a close friendship with Jasta 15's other rising aces Georg von Hantelmann and Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay. Both aged 19 to Schäfer's 24, these 3 young aces frequently flew together in combat and were known among the Jasta as the 'Three Inseparables.'[3]
From 13 September to 9 October Schäfer downed 5 more aircraft-including 3 SPADs and 2 De Havilland bombers-which brought his final tally to 11.[7][unreliable source] For his final 8 victories he flew a Fokker D.VII emblazoned with a white winged snake.[5]
Postwaredit
Schäfer survived the war, but was killed in a flying accident on 3 February 1920.[5] His signature Fokker D.VII was captured by the Americans after the armistice.[8]
^Over the Front. League of World War I Aviation Historians. 1995.
^ abVanWyngarden, Greg; Franks, Norman (2003). Fokker DVII Aces of World War 1 Part 1. United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing. p. 64. ISBN1-84176-727-1.
^Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank; Duiven, Rick (2005). The Jasta Pilots. United Kingdom: Grub Street. p. 30. ISBN1-898697-47-7.
^ abcdeVanWyngarden, Greg (2003). Fokker DVII Aces of World War 1 Part 1. United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing. p. 69. ISBN1-84176-727-1.
^VanWyngarden, Greg (2005). Jagdgeschwader Nr II Geschwader 'Berthold'. United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing. pp. 24–27. ISBN1-84176-727-1.
^ abc"Hugo Schäfer". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
^VanWyngarden, Greg; Franks, Norman (2003). Fokker DVII Aces of World War 1 Part 1. United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing. p. 67. ISBN1-84176-727-1.
April 12, 2024
hugo, schäfer, lieutenant, june, 1894, february, 1920, german, fighter, credited, with, aerial, victories, during, world, member, jasta, schäfer, formed, close, relationship, with, fellow, aces, georg, hantelmann, olivier, freiherr, beaulieu, marconnay, becomi. Lieutenant Hugo Schafer 30 June 1894 3 February 1920 was a German fighter ace credited with 11 aerial victories during World War I 1 2 As a member of Jasta 15 and 18 Schafer formed a close relationship with fellow aces Georg von Hantelmann and Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu Marconnay becoming known in the Jasta as the Three Inseparables 3 Schafer briefly became the commanding officer of Jasta 15 4 and survived the war only to die in a flying accident on 3 February 1920 5 Hugo SchaferBorn30 June 1894Elberfeld GermanyDied3 February 1920 1920 02 03 aged 25 AllegianceGermanyService wbr branchInfantry Air ServiceYears of service1915 1918RankLeutnantUnitJagdstaffel 18 Jagdstaffel 15 Contents 1 Early life and service 2 Aerial service 3 Postwar 4 ReferencesEarly life and service editSchafer was born on 30 June 1894 in Elberfeld Germany He joined the military in early 1915 and was commissioned as an officer in July He received pilot training before joining Jasta 18 in mid July 5 Aerial service editAfter joining Jasta 18 however Schafer was moved to Jasta 15 during the personnel swap ordered by Rudolf Berthold in preparation for the German spring offensive As the offensive began Schafer scored his first victory over a British R E 8 on 28 March followed by a SPAD on the 31st and an S E 5a on 1 April 6 7 unreliable source He scored 2 more victories over Breguet 14 and D H 4 reconnaissance aircraft before being shot down by an S E 5a on 17 June 7 unreliable source the day that Jasta 15 commander Kurt Wusthoff was shot down and brought into captivity Schafer however landed his aircraft behind friendly lines and in August he had downed another Breguet bringing his tally to 6 5 During the course of the Spring Offensive Schafer forged a close friendship with Jasta 15 s other rising aces Georg von Hantelmann and Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu Marconnay Both aged 19 to Schafer s 24 these 3 young aces frequently flew together in combat and were known among the Jasta as the Three Inseparables 3 From 13 September to 9 October Schafer downed 5 more aircraft including 3 SPADs and 2 De Havilland bombers which brought his final tally to 11 7 unreliable source For his final 8 victories he flew a Fokker D VII emblazoned with a white winged snake 5 Postwar editSchafer survived the war but was killed in a flying accident on 3 February 1920 5 His signature Fokker D VII was captured by the Americans after the armistice 8 References edit Internal Revenue Bulletin Cumulative Bulletin III 1 Treasury Dept 1924 Over the Front League of World War I Aviation Historians 1995 a b VanWyngarden Greg Franks Norman 2003 Fokker DVII Aces of World War 1 Part 1 United Kingdom Osprey Publishing p 64 ISBN 1 84176 727 1 Franks Norman Bailey Frank Duiven Rick 2005 The Jasta Pilots United Kingdom Grub Street p 30 ISBN 1 898697 47 7 a b c d e VanWyngarden Greg 2003 Fokker DVII Aces of World War 1 Part 1 United Kingdom Osprey Publishing p 69 ISBN 1 84176 727 1 VanWyngarden Greg 2005 Jagdgeschwader Nr II Geschwader Berthold United Kingdom Osprey Publishing pp 24 27 ISBN 1 84176 727 1 a b c Hugo Schafer The Aerodrome Retrieved 29 July 2021 VanWyngarden Greg Franks Norman 2003 Fokker DVII Aces of World War 1 Part 1 United Kingdom Osprey Publishing p 67 ISBN 1 84176 727 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hugo Schafer amp oldid 1213018842, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
