Franz Gräser
Austro-Hungarian World War I flying ace
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leutnant Franz Gräser (1892–1918) was an Austro-Hungarian World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories. Initially commander of a machine gun unit, he transferred to aviation as an observer. Remarkably, he learned to fly without going through aviation training. Coached by a friendly pilot, he became a fighter pilot without a pilot's license. He would be credited with 18 victories before dying in a flaming shootdown.
Franz Gräser | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 October 1892 Nyírmada, Hungary |
| Died | 17 May 1918 (aged 25) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Austro-Hungarian Empire |
Branch | Aviation |
Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit | Flik 2, Flik 32, Flik 42J, Flik 61J |
| Awards | Order of the Iron Crown, Order of Leopold, Silver Medal for Bravery |
Biography
Gräser was a technical university student in Budapest until World War I broke out. In October 1914, he enlisted in Infanterieregiment No. 72, graduated reserve officer school in mid-July 1915, and began World War I as the commander of a machine gun unit on the Russian Front.[1] After being wounded, he transferred to K.u.K, the Austro-Hungarian air service. He was commissioned as an officer and assigned to observer duties in the rear seat of a reconnaissance aircraft in Flik 2. His skill with machine guns helped him to his first two victories, from the rear seat,[2] on 10 February and 20 May 1917.[3]
Like many observers, Gräser made the transition to becoming a pilot. Unlike just about anyone else, he did so without formal training. The feldwebel pilot who coached him thought he was a natural, but he never received any official training. Without ever being licensed as a pilot, Gräser began flying an Albatros D.III fighter for Flik 42J[4] beginning in September 1917.[5] His personal insignia of an owl on his plane was based in Baltic culture; an owl was considered a sign of death.[6] By the end of 1917, his score stood at 11, with number 11 being claimed on 5 December 1917.[7]
He resumed his victory roll on 26 January 1918 with Flik 61J. By the 23rd of March, he had run his total of wins up to 18 confirmed and one unconfirmed.[8] Most of his victories were over Italian pilots,[9] and his range of victims was wide; seaplanes, fighters, recon two-seaters, and balloons all fell before his guns.[10]
On 17 May 1918,[11] Gräser flew an escort mission, and was shot down in flames by several Italian aces, including Guido Nardini, Francesco Baracca, Antonio Chiri, Cesare Magistrini, and Gastone Novelli.[12][13]