List of World War I flying aces from Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...

's dual kingdoms contained a melange of nationalities. Although the aces of the Luftfahrtruppen owed their military allegiance to the Empire, they came from various of the ethnic groups within the Empire. Despite the Austro-Hungarian policy of Magyarization

Magyarization

Magyarization is a kind of assimilation or acculturation, a process by which non-Magyar elements came to adopt Magyar culture and language due to social pressure .Defiance or appeals to the Nationalities Law, met...

, many citizens of the Austro-Hungarian Empire clung to their ethnic identities. The breakup of the Empire post World War I later saw the formation of independent nations from some of these ethnic groups.

To aid the reader's understanding, birthplaces of the aces have been included in the below list:
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Flying Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Name	Victories	Birthplace	Nation	Notes

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...	35	Wadowice Wadowice Wadowice is a town in southern Poland, 50 km from Kraków with 19,200 inhabitants , situated on the Skawa river, confluence of Vistula, in the eastern part of Silesian Plateau...	Galicia Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria The Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria was a crownland of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Austrian Empire, and Austria–Hungary from 1772 to 1918 .This historical region in eastern Central Europe is currently divided between Poland and Ukraine... (present day Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... )	Leading Polish ace and leading Austro-Hungarian ace of the war
Julius Arigi Julius Arigi Julius Arigi was a flying ace of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in World War I with a total of 32 credited victories. He was Austro-Hungary's most highly decorated ace. His victory total was second only to Godwin Brumowski. Arigi was considered a superb natural pilot...	32	Děčín Decín Děčín is a town in the Ústí nad Labem Region in the north of the Czech Republic. It is the largest town and administrative seat of the Děčín District.-Geography:...	Kingdom of Bohemia Kingdom of Bohemia The Kingdom of Bohemia was a country located in the region of Bohemia in Central Europe, most of whose territory is currently located in the modern-day Czech Republic. The King was Elector of Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, whereupon it became part of the Austrian Empire, and... (present day Czech Republic Czech Republic The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest.... )	Leading Czech ace of the war
Benno Fiala von Fernbrugg Benno Fiala von Fernbrugg Hauptmann Benno Fiala von Fernbrugg , Order of the Iron Crown, Order of Leopold, Military Merit Cross, Military Merit Medal, Gold Medal for Bravery, Iron Cross was an Austro-Hungarian fighter ace with 28 victories to his credit during World War I. He was the third ranking ace of the...	28	Vienna Vienna Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...	Austria Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...	Leading Austrian ace of the war
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:...	27	Kraków Kraków Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...	Galicia (present day Poland)
József Kiss József Kiss Lieutenant József Kiss was a World War I flying ace for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was credited with 19 aerial victories. He was the most successful Hungarian ace in the war....	19	Poszony (now Bratislava)	Hungary (now Slovakia Slovakia The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south... )	Leading Slovakian ace of the war
Franz Graeser	18	Nyír-Mada	Hungary Hungary Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...	Leading Hungarian ace of the war
Eugen Bönsch Eugen Bönsch -Early life and service:Bönsch studied mechanics at the State Trade School. He originally joined the army in 1915, but after completing basic training transferred to aviation. His original assignment was as a mechanic with Fliegerersatzkompagnie 6.-Flying service:...	16	Velká Úpa	Kingdom of Bohemia (now Czech Republic)
Stefan Fejes Stefan Fejes Feldwebel Stefan Fejes was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace credited with 16 confirmed and 4 unconfirmed aerial victories during World War I. By war's end, he had not only received numerous decorations, he had been personally promoted by his emperor....	16	Győr Gyor -Climate:-Main sights:The ancient core of the city is Káptalan Hill at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, Rába and Rábca. Püspökvár, the residence of Győr’s bishops can be easily recognised by its incomplete tower. Győr’s oldest buildings are the 13th-century dwelling tower and the...	Hungary
Ernst Strohschneider Ernst Strohschneider Oberleutnant Ernst Strohschneider was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace during World War I. He was credited with 15 confirmed aerial victories during his rise to the simultaneous command of two fighter squadrons. He died in a flying accident on 21 March 1918....	15	Ústí nad Labem Ústí nad Labem Ústí nad Labem is a city of the Czech Republic, in the Ústí nad Labem Region. The city is the 7th-most populous in the country.Ústí is situated in a mountainous district at the confluence of the Bílina and the Elbe Rivers, and, besides being an active river port, is an important railway junction...	Kingdom of Bohemia (now Czech Republic)
Adolf Heyrowsky Adolf Heyrowsky Oberst Adolf Heyrowsky, 18 February 1882-1945, was a career officer in the Austro-Hungarian military who turned to aviation. He became an accredited flying ace during World War I, with twelve aerial victories.-Pre-World War I:...	12	Murau Murau Murau is the capital of the district of the same name in Styria, located along the Mur river. It has a population of 2,331.-History:The area was already settled in the Bronze Age and Roman time, for the first time document which mentioned Murau was in the year 1250.During the Second World War a...	Austria
Kurt Gruber Kurt Gruber (aviator) Offizierstellvertreter Kurt Gruber was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace during the First World War. He was credited with eleven aerial victories, 5 shared with other pilots....	11	Linz Linz Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...	Austria
Franz Rudorfer Franz Rudorfer Oberleutnant Franz Rudorfer was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven confirmed and two unconfirmed aerial victories.-World War I:Rudorfer had volunteered for service before World War I began. He was posted to Infanterieregiment No. 59 as a new leutnant in August 1916. In May 1917, he...	11	Vienna	Austria
Miroslav Navratil Miroslav Navratil Miroslav Navratil was a Croatian soldier, pilot, and general who served in the armies of Austria-Hungary, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and the Independent State of Croatia....	10	Sarajevo Sarajevo Sarajevo \|Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....	present day Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...	Sole ace from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Raoul Stojsavljevic Raoul Stojsavljevic Hauptmann Raoul Stojsavljevic was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. His later career took him to postwar service in aviation both military and civilian.-Pre-World War I:...	10	Innsbruck Innsbruck - Main sights :- Buildings :Golden RoofKaiserliche Hofburg Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman EmperorAltes Landhaus...	Austria
Gottfried Freiherr von Banfield	9	Castelnuovo Castelnuovo -Places:Comuni in Italy:Castelnuovo, Province of TrentoCastelnuovo Belbo, Province of AstiCastelnuovo Berardenga, Province of SienaCastelnuovo Bocca d'Adda, Province of Lodi*Castelnuovo Bormida, Province of Alessandria... (now Herceg Novi Herceg Novi Herceg Novi is a coastal town in Montenegro located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen. It is the administrative center of the Herceg Novi Municipality with around 33,000 inhabitants... )	present day Montenegro Montenegro Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...	The only Montenegran ace
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...	9	Chlumec nad Cidlinou Chlumec nad Cidlinou Chlumec nad Cidlinou is a city of the Czech Republic in Bohemia, Hradec Králové Region.It is situated near Hradec Králové at the confluence of the rivers Cidlina and Bystřice. The town lies at an average height of 206 metres above sea level...	Czech Republic
Georg Kenzian Georg Kenzian Oberleutnant Georg Kenzian followed his father's profession of arms, and served the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I. He became a fighter ace, scoring eight aerial victories...	9	Linz	Austria
Ferdinand Udvardy Ferdinand Udvardy Stabsfeldwebel Ferdinand Udvardy was a Hungarian conscript into the military of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who became a flying ace credited with nine aerial victories...	9	Bratislava Bratislava Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...	Slovakia
Karl Kaszala Karl Kaszala Offizierstellvertreter Karl Kaszala was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Reference:...	8	Nitra Nitra Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...	Hungary (present day Slovakia)
Heinrich Kostrba Heinrich Kostrba Hauptmann Heinrich Kostrba was the first Austro-Hungarian pilot to score three victories in a single day, on 18 February 1916, and three more on 29 June 1916. He went on to amass eight aerial victories and become a flying ace. Postwar, he founded and led the Czechoslovakian Flying Corps.-Reference:...	8	Prague	Czech Republic
Alexander Tahy Alexander Tahy Oberleutnant Alexander Tahy was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Reference:...	8	Nyíregyháza Nyíregyháza - Tourist sights :Nyíregyháza also has several museums and exhibitions, showing the city's rich cultural heritage.* Collection of the International Medallion Art and Small Sculpture Creative Community of Nyíregyháza-Sóstó – periodic exhibitions of works of contemporary artists-Twin towns — Sister...	Hungary
Josef Friedrich Josef Friedrich Oberleutnant Josef Friedrich was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was born in Cvikov, Česká Lípa District. He scored most of his victories while flying as an observer with Raoul Stojsavljevic.-References:...	7	Zwickau Zwickau Zwickau in Germany, former seat of the government of the south-western region of the Free State of Saxony, belongs to an industrial and economical core region. Nowadays it is the capital city of the district of Zwickau...	present day Czech Republic
Ludwig Hautzmayer Ludwig Hautzmayer Oberleutnant Ludwig Hautzmayer was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	7	Fürstenfeld Fürstenfeld Fürstenfeld is a town and a district in southeastern Austria. It is situated within the Austrian federal state of StyriaAccording to the 2005 census, Fürstenfeld has 5,986 citizens within its communal area, the larger urban area of Fürstenfeld includes approximately 20% more citizens.Fürstenfeld...	Austria
Otto Jaeger Otto Jaeger Oberleutnant Otto Jäger was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	7	Asch Aš Aš is a town in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic.-History:Previously uninhabited hills and swamps, the town of Asch was founded in the early 11th century by German colonists. Slavic settlements in the area are not known. The dialect spoken in the town was that of the Upper Palatinate,...	Kingdom of Bohemia (now Czech Republic)
Josef von Maier Josef von Maier Hauptmann Josef von Maier was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	7	Poszony (now Bratislava)	Hungary (now Slovakia)
Johann Risztics Johann Risztics Stabfeldwebel Johann Risztics was the Austro-Hungarian World War I flying ace credited with seven reliably confirmed aerial victories.During 1918, Risztics formed a strong friendship with fellow pilots Fredrich Hefty and Ferdinand Udvardy...	7	Budapest	Hungary
Andreas Dombrowski Andreas Dombrowski Feldwebel Andreas Dombrowski was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He was born in Mahrisch-Ostrau.- References :...	6	Mahrisch-Ostrau	Kingdom of Prussia (now in the Czech Republic)
Johann Frint Johann Frint Hauptmann Johann Frint was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-References:...	6	Budapest	Hungary
Alexander Kasza Alexander Kasza Feldwebel Alexander Kasza was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He died during a Soviet bombardment of Budapest.-References:...	6	Bácskosuthfalva Stara Moravica Stara Moravica is a village located in the Bačka Topola municipality, in the North Bačka District of Serbia. It is situated in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina...	Hungary
Karl Nikitsch Karl Nikitsch Hauptmann Karl Nikitsch was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...	6	Gross-Czakowitz	Kingdom of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic)
Franz Peter Franz Peter Oberleutnant Franz Peter was an Austrian flying ace credited with six aerial victories in World War I.After World War I, Peter decided to join the Polish Air Force, encouraged by Stefan Stec, with whom he had served during the war...	6	Vienna	Austria
Josef Pürer	6	Schönau Schönau - People :* Horst Schönau* Elizabeth of Schönau, a Benedictine nun at Schönau Abbey of Nassau and a friend of Hildegarde of Bingen- Places :Germany:* Schönau , a town in Baden-Württemberg** Schönau Abbey, in this town...	Austria
Roman Schmidt Roman Schmidt Oberleutnant Roman Schmidt was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...	6	Varaždin Varaždin Varaždin is a city in north Croatia, north of Zagreb on the highway A4. The total population is 47,055, with 38,746 on of the city settlement itself . The centre of Varaždin county is located near the Drava river, at...	present day Croatia
Rudolf Weber Rudolf Weber (aviator) Oberleutnant Rudolf Weber was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...	6	Schäßburg	Transylvania Transylvania Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical... (present day Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... )	Only Romanian ace of the war
Julius Busa Julius Busa -References:...	5	Budapest	Hungary
Friedrich Hefty	5	Poszony (now Bratislava)	Hungary (now Slovakia)
Julius Kowalczik Julius Kowalczik Offizierstellvertreter Julius Kowalczik was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Ostrava Ostrava Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...	Poland
Franz Lahner Franz Lahner Feldwebel Franz Lahner was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Bad Goisern Bad Goisern Bad Goisern is a market town in Upper Austria, Austria in the district of Gmunden. It is part of the Salzkammergut resort area. At the 2005 census Bad Goisern had a population of 7.578 inhabitants.- History :...	Austria
Friedrich Lang Friedrich Lang (WWI ace) Fregattenleutnant Friedrich Lang was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He was one of only two naval aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.-References:...	5		Austria
Johann Lasi Johann Lasi Stabfeldwebel Johann Lasi was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Katy (now Kać KAC KAC may refer to:Knight's Armament CompanyEC KAC, a professional ice hockey teamKajonk-A-ConKing Armored Car, the USA's first armored vehicle.... )	Hungary (present day Serbia Serbia Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans... )	Only Serbian ace in the Luftfahrtruppen
Bela Macourek Bela Macourek Oberleutnant Béla Macourek was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. Postwar, he served in the Hungarian military and even changed his surname to Maklary.-References:...	5	Poszony (now Bratislava)	Hungary (now Slovakia)	5
Kurt Nachod Kurt Nachod Oberleutnant Kurt Nachod was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Brno Brno Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...	Moravia Moravia Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region... (present day Czech Republic)
Augustin Novak Augustin Novak Feldwebel Augustin Novák was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Botenwald
Karl Patzelt Karl Patzelt Oberleutnant Karl Patzelt was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Ostbohmen	Kingdom of Bohemia (now Czech Republic)
Alois Rodlauer Alois Rodlauer Leutnant Alois Rodlauer was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Urfahr-Umgebung Urfahr-Umgebung Bezirk Urfahr Umgebung is a district of the state ofUpper Austria in Austria. It is named after Urfahr, a borough of Linz, seat of the district's administration .-Municipalities:...	Austria
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll	5		Hungary
Karl Teichmann Karl Teichmann Feldwebel Karl Teichmann was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Hrabišín Hrabišín Hrabišín is a village and municipality in Šumperk District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic.The municipality covers an area of , and has a population of 850 ....	now in Czech Republic
Karl Urban Karl Urban (aviator) Offizierstellvertreter Karl Urban was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	5	Graz Graz The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...	Austria
Franz Wognar Franz Wognar Offizierstellvertreter Franz Wognar was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-List of aerial victories:-References:...	5	Trnava Trnava Trnava is a city in western Slovakia, 47 km to the north-east of Bratislava, on the Trnávka river. It is the capital of a kraj and of an okres . It was the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishopric . The city has a historic center...	Slovakia

Sources

O'Connor, Martin. Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1914-1918 Paladin Press, 1986 (1994 reprint by Flying Machines Press), ISBN 1891268066, 9781891268069.

Sources

See also