Karl Bohnenkamp

Vizefeldwebel Karl Bohnenkamp was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories. He scored his first victory on 21 September 1917 and continued through 28 October 1918.[2] His 15 victories made him the leading ace in his squadron.[3] He was awarded the Military Merit Cross on the latter date.[4]

Karl Bohnenkamp
Born10 January 1890[1]
Dortmund-Aplerbeck[1]
Died27 February 1930 (1930-02-28) (aged 40)[1]
Buried
Waldfriedhof Duisburg[1]
AllegianceGermany
Service/branchAviation
RankVizefeldwebel
UnitFeldflieger Abteilung 39;
Feldflieger Abteilung 208;
Royal Saxon Jagdstaffel 22
AwardsMilitary Merit Cross

Military career

Before Bohnenkamp qualified as a pilot, he was a radio operator for Feldflieger Abteilung (Field Flier Detachment) 39 from May 1915 to August 1916. After undergoing pilot's training, he was assigned to Feldflieger Abteilung 208 in February 1917. On 25 July 1917, he was "promoted" to flying fighter aircraft for Royal Saxon Jagdstaffel 22. His first aerial success came on 21 September 1917. He would continue to score victories almost until war's end, his last one coming on 28 October 1918. The latter date, he was presented with the Golden Military Merit Cross–the highest military decoration that could be awarded to a German noncommissioned officer.[5]

Sources of information
  1. Frontflieger.de
  2. The Aerodrome website's page on Bohnenkamp http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/bohnenkamp.php Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  3. The Aerodrome website's page on Jasta 22 http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta22.php Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  4. The Aerodrome website's page on the Military Merit Cross http://www.theaerodrome.com/medals/germany/prussia_mmc.php Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  5. Franks et al 1993, p. 78.

References
  • Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.

Further reading


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