Rudolf Matthaei
Encyclopedia
Leutnant Rudolf Matthaei was a World War I flying ace
credited with ten aerial victories.
Matthaei joined Saxon Field Artillery Regiment No. 46 as an officer candidate on 13 February 1913. His first wartime service was in France. He was commissioned on 23 April 1915. He shipped out with his regiment to the Eastern Front
. After a transfer to Infantry Regiment No. 79, Matthaei returned to France in September 1915. In early 1916, he began aviation training. He was assigned to Kasta 9 on 12 October 1916. He upgraded to fighter pilot at Valenciennes
during the first two months of 1917. In late February, he was posted to Jasta 21. On 24 March 1917, he shot down an observation balloon for his first victory. After an unconfirmed claim on 15 April, he shot down a second balloon on 30 April. By 22 November 1917, he had a string of nine victories credited to Jasta 21, even though he had been posted to Jasta 5 in June and become its temporary commander in August. On 17 December, he was promoted to command of Jasta 46. On 21 February, he capped his career with his tenth win, when he shot down a Spad
over Wavrin
. On 17 April, he spun in, crashed, and burned on his home airfield. He was pulled alive from the wreckage, but died later that night. He had been awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, as well as the Brunswick State War Service Cross.
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 ten aerial victories.
Matthaei joined Saxon Field Artillery Regiment No. 46 as an officer candidate on 13 February 1913. His first wartime service was in France. He was commissioned on 23 April 1915. He shipped out with his regiment to the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War I)
The Eastern Front was a theatre of war during World War I in Central and, primarily, Eastern Europe. The term is in contrast to the Western Front. Despite the geographical separation, the events in the two theatres strongly influenced each other...
. After a transfer to Infantry Regiment No. 79, Matthaei returned to France in September 1915. In early 1916, he began aviation training. He was assigned to Kasta 9 on 12 October 1916. He upgraded to fighter pilot at Valenciennes
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt river. Although the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded...
during the first two months of 1917. In late February, he was posted to Jasta 21. On 24 March 1917, he shot down an observation balloon for his first victory. After an unconfirmed claim on 15 April, he shot down a second balloon on 30 April. By 22 November 1917, he had a string of nine victories credited to Jasta 21, even though he had been posted to Jasta 5 in June and become its temporary commander in August. On 17 December, he was promoted to command of Jasta 46. On 21 February, he capped his career with his tenth win, when he shot down a Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
over Wavrin
Wavrin
-References:*...
. On 17 April, he spun in, crashed, and burned on his home airfield. He was pulled alive from the wreckage, but died later that night. He had been awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, as well as the Brunswick State War Service Cross.