Fritz Anders (aviator)
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Fritz Gerhard Anders | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1889 |
| Died | 8 November 1919 (aged 30) |
| Allegiance |  German Empire |
| Branch | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Rank | Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) |
| Unit | Schutzstaffel 8, Jagdstaffel 35, Jagdstaffel 4 |
| Commands | Jagdstaffel 73 |
| Conflicts | World War I |
| Awards | Iron Cross (both classes) |
Leutnant Fritz Gerhard Anders was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was the world's first night fighter ace.[1]
World War I service
Anders began his aerial service for the First World War as a pilot in Schutzstaffel (Protection Squadron) 8. He would serve with this early fighter-bomber unit until he was transferred to a fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 34 in March 1917. On 14 April 1917, he was wounded in action; he returned to duty ten days later. On 2 June 1917, he transferred to Jagdstaffel 4. He scored his initial aerial victory on 7 July 1917, when he downed a Sopwith Pup from Nine Naval Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service.[1]
On 20 February 1918, Anders was appointed as Staffelführer to command Jagdstaffel 73. He scored his second victory on 14 June 1918, downing a SPAD, possibly flying a Fokker Triplane. Then, flying with his squadron's pioneering nightfighting detail, Anders ran off a string of five aerial victories at night between 20 August and 25 September 1918 to become history's first nightfighter ace. On 13 October 1918, Anders was transferred to Jastaschule II, a school for fighter pilots.[1]
During the war, Anders earned both classes of the Iron Cross.[1]
