Donat Makeenok
Encyclopedia
Poruchik Donat Aduiovich Makeenok (born 19 May 1890, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with eight aerial victories. He was the only Polish-born ace to fight against the Central Powers
.
Makeenok joined the infantry in 1911. However, before World War I began, he had switched to aviation and trained as a pilot. Early in the war, he flew two-seater reconnaissance planes. He requested a transfer to fighters, and was sent to pilot Nieuport
s for the 7th Fighter Detachment in early 1917. He won for the first time on 7 March 1917, splitting the victory with fellow ace Vasili Yanchenko
. Five weeks later, on 13 April, Makeenok shared a pair of triumphs with both Yanchenko and Juri Gilsher
. On 16 April and 29 June, he scored clean solo victories. Then, for his final three victories, he was teamed once again with Yanchenko, scoring his last on 5 August 1917.
The final fact known about Makeenok was that he served in the Russo-Polish War in 1921.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with eight aerial victories. He was the only Polish-born ace to fight against the Central Powers
Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
.
Makeenok joined the infantry in 1911. However, before World War I began, he had switched to aviation and trained as a pilot. Early in the war, he flew two-seater reconnaissance planes. He requested a transfer to fighters, and was sent to pilot Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
s for the 7th Fighter Detachment in early 1917. He won for the first time on 7 March 1917, splitting the victory with fellow ace Vasili Yanchenko
Vasili Yanchenko
Praporshik Vasili Ivanovich Yanchenko was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. He was the second ranking Russian ace, trailing only Aleksandr Kazakov. Yanchenko flew on the Eastern Front, gaining his first victory on 25 June 1916, and his last on 14 October 1917.Yanchenko...
. Five weeks later, on 13 April, Makeenok shared a pair of triumphs with both Yanchenko and Juri Gilsher
Juri Gilsher
Cavalry Second Lieutenant Juri Vladimirovich Gilsher was a Ukrainian Russian fighter ace of World War I. Initially a cavalryman, but then an airman, Gilsher scored five victories between April and July 1917 before being killed in action on 20 July, tied for twelfth on the list of Russia's...
. On 16 April and 29 June, he scored clean solo victories. Then, for his final three victories, he was teamed once again with Yanchenko, scoring his last on 5 August 1917.
The final fact known about Makeenok was that he served in the Russo-Polish War in 1921.