Kurt Gruber (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Offizierstellvertreter Kurt Gruber (1896 – 4 April 1918) was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace
during the First World War. He was credited with eleven aerial victories, 5 shared with other pilots.
Gruber was a technical student studying engineering in Sachsen-Altenburg, Germany when World War I began. He was called up into the Austro-Hungarian army. He volunteered to transfer to aviation. He was accepted for pilot's training because of his engineering background. By August 1915 he was assigned to Flik 1 under Hpt. Otto Jindra
. He began to build the reputation of being the pilot all the observers wanted to partner. In September he was promoted to Zugsführer. In January 1916 he had received his first Silver Bravery Award.
Gruber scored his first aerial victories on 14 April, 2 May, and 6 June 1916, with Godwin Brumowski
manning the observer's guns in the Albatros B.I
on the 2nd. On 1 June Gruber was promoted well ahead of cycle to Feldwebel
. Ten weeks later he would be promoted to Stabsfeldwebel. In December 1916 Gruber was transferred to begin a five-month test pilot stint at the Flieger Arsenal. In mid-May 1917 he was assigned to Austria-Hungary's first true fighter squadron, Flik 41J. On 21 May 1917 he spun in from low altitude, destroying his Hansa-Brandenburg D.I
and suffering injuries that kept him non-operational until September. He scored his fourth victory on 29 September. He became both an ace and a balloon buster
on 3 October 1917 when he destroyed an Italian observation balloon.
Gruber was transferred to Flik 60J on 23 December 1917. His new commanding officer was Frank Linke-Crawford
. The squadron was equipped, with the Phönix D.I
. Between 10 January and 4 April 1918, Gruber would use it to score six more times. Gruber would be shot down and killed on 4 April 1918 in combat with Sopwith Camels of No 66 Squadron, just moments after his final claim.
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...
during the First World War. He was credited with eleven aerial victories, 5 shared with other pilots.
Gruber was a technical student studying engineering in Sachsen-Altenburg, Germany when World War I began. He was called up into the Austro-Hungarian army. He volunteered to transfer to aviation. He was accepted for pilot's training because of his engineering background. By August 1915 he was assigned to Flik 1 under Hpt. Otto Jindra
Otto Jindra
Hauptmann Otto Jindra was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace during World War I, credited with nine aerial victories while flying as an aerial observer. He doubled in excellence as a leader and administrator...
. He began to build the reputation of being the pilot all the observers wanted to partner. In September he was promoted to Zugsführer. In January 1916 he had received his first Silver Bravery Award.
Gruber scored his first aerial victories on 14 April, 2 May, and 6 June 1916, with Godwin Brumowski
Godwin Brumowski
Godwin Brumowski was the most successful fighter ace of the Austro-Hungarian Air Force during World War I. He was officially credited with 35 air victories, with 8 others unconfirmed because they fell behind Allied lines...
manning the observer's guns in the Albatros B.I
Albatros B.I
|-See also:...
on the 2nd. On 1 June Gruber was promoted well ahead of cycle to Feldwebel
Feldwebel
Feldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. The word Feldwebel is usually translated as sergeant being rated OR-6 in the NATO rank comparison scale, equivalent to the British Army Sergeant and the US Army...
. Ten weeks later he would be promoted to Stabsfeldwebel. In December 1916 Gruber was transferred to begin a five-month test pilot stint at the Flieger Arsenal. In mid-May 1917 he was assigned to Austria-Hungary's first true fighter squadron, Flik 41J. On 21 May 1917 he spun in from low altitude, destroying his Hansa-Brandenburg D.I
Hansa-Brandenburg D.I
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Angelucci, Enzo . World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. London: Jane's, 1981. ISBN 0 7106 0148 4.*Gray, Peter and Thetford, Owen. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962....
and suffering injuries that kept him non-operational until September. He scored his fourth victory on 29 September. He became both an ace and a balloon buster
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
on 3 October 1917 when he destroyed an Italian observation balloon.
Gruber was transferred to Flik 60J on 23 December 1917. His new commanding officer was Frank Linke-Crawford
Frank Linke-Crawford
Oberleutnant Frank Linke-Crawford , was the fourth-ranking ace of the Austro-Hungarian empire during World War I, with 27 victories.-Early life:...
. The squadron was equipped, with the Phönix D.I
Phönix D.I
-Bibliography:...
. Between 10 January and 4 April 1918, Gruber would use it to score six more times. Gruber would be shot down and killed on 4 April 1918 in combat with Sopwith Camels of No 66 Squadron, just moments after his final claim.
Reference
- Austro-Hungarian aces of World War 1 Christopher Chant. Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1841763764, 9781841763767.