Fritz Höhn
| Fritz Höhn | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 May 1896 Wiesbaden, Hesse-Nassau |
| Died | 3 October 1918 (aged 22) St. Martin l'Heureux, France |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Service/branch | Infantry, then flying service |
| Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit |
7th Guards Infantry Regiment |
| Commands held | Jagdstaffel 41 |
| Awards | Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross |
7th Guards Infantry Regiment
Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 227
Jagdstaffel 21
Jagdstaffel 60
Leutnant Fritz Höhn (31 May 1896 – 3 October 1918) was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 21 victories. He had worked his way up to being a fighter squadron commander, and was on the verge of eligibility for the German Empire's highest award for heroism, the Blue Max, when he was killed in action on 3 October 1918.
Fritz Höhn was born in Wiesbaden, German Empire, on 31 May 1896. He began his military service in the elite 7th Guards Infantry Regiment.
Höhn began aerial duty as an artillery spotter in two-seated reconnaissance planes, flying for Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 227. He was seconded to Jastaschule II and graduated as a fighter pilot. He joined a fighter squadron, Royal Saxon Jagdstaffel 21 on 15 November 1917, just as they received new Pfalz D.IIIs. He shot down a Breguet 14 bomber on 1 December 1917 for his first victory.
Höhn then had Pfalz no. 4011/17 painted with diagonal stripes to deceive the aim of anyone shooting at him. He also had two rear view mirrors and a teddy bear wired on the rear of the cockpit facing tailwards. However, it is unknown if Höhn and his teddy bear mascot were successful with this particular plane. He did become a balloon buster for his next win, shooting down a French kite balloon from 33e Compagnie de Aerostiers on 11 April 1918. The next day, he downed a Spad and a balloon. On 20 April, he scored two victories on balloons—one each from the 45e and 75e Compagnies—making him an ace. In the process, he was severely wounded in the knee.
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