| Paul Bäumer
- Iron cross Eisernes Kreuz EK1 EK2 Pour Le Merite |
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| Rank:
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| Date
of Award: |
| Cross
Class: Iron cross Eisernes Kreuz EK1 EK2 Pour Le Merite |
| Branch
of Service: Army Air Corps |
Description
of Action: Bäumer learned to fly before the war but joined the infantry and was wounded in 1915. He transferred to the air service as a dental assistant before being accepted for military pilot training. In 1917 he gained experience on two-seaters with FA7 before acceptance as a noncommissioned fighter pilot.
Bäumer joined Jagdstaffel 5 in June of 1917, scoring three victories in July before going to the elite Jasta Boelcke.
Bäumer claimed heavily, reaching 18 victories by year end. He was commissioned in April 1918 and, with arrival of the Fokker D.VII he claimed even more success, including 16 in September. Nicknamed 'The Iron Eagle' and with a personal emblem of an Edelweiss on his aircraft. He was one of the few pilots who saved their life by parachute when he was shot down in flames in September. He received the Pour le Mérite shortly before the armistice. He was credited with 43 victories, ranking ninth among German aces. Ref Wikipedia |
| Mini
Biography: |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Bäumer |
| From:
First World War Award Winners |
| Listing
Date: Aug 27, 2008 |
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