Franz Peter
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Franz Peter | |
|---|---|
 Franz Peter | |
| Born | 8 October 1896 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | 1968 Warsaw, Poland |
| Allegiance | Austria-Hungary |
| Service | Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Unit | Flik 14; Flik 47F; Flik 3J |
| Awards | Order of the Iron Crown (3rd Class with War Decoration and Swords); Military Merit Cross (3rd Class with War Decoration and Swords); Medal for Bravery (One 2nd Class in Silver, and two 1st Class in Silver); Military Merit Medal (Silver and Bronze)[1] |
Franz Peter (8 October 1896 – 1968) was an Austrian flying ace credited with six aerial victories in World War I[1][2] while flying for Austria-Hungary's Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops.
At the outbreak of the Great War Peter joined the Austro-Hungarian Army and served on the Eastern Front. In late 1915 he volunteered for the Air Service as an aircraft observer. After finishing training school in late January 1916 he was posted to the Eastern Front unit Fliegerkompanie 14 (Flik 14)[note 1] as an observer. During the next two years of service he received several awards and was promoted to oberleutnant on 1 November 1917.[1]
After brief service with Fliegerkompanie 47F (Flik 47F),[note 2] he applied for pilot training and was accepted in March 1918. After completing further training as a fighter pilot he was posted to Fliegerkompanie 3J (Flik 3J)[note 3] at Romagnano in May 1918 where he flew the Albatros D.III fighter. He scored his first and second confirmed victories on July 16 when he downed two Italian Hanriot fighters over Concei. Peter scored his sixth and last confirmed victory on October 7 when he shot down a Sopwith Camel of 66 Squadron, Royal Air Force.[1]