Fritz Rumey
| Fritz Rumey | |
|---|---|
Fritz Rumey
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| Born |
March 3, 1891 Königsberg, Germany |
| Died | September 27, 1918 (aged 27) Neuville-Saint-Rémy, France |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Service/branch | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 |
| Rank | Leutnant der Reserve |
| Unit | FA(A) 19, Jastas 2, 5 |
| Awards | Pour le Mérite |
Fritz Rumey (March 3, 1891 – September 27, 1918) Pour le Mérite, Golden Military Merit Cross was a German fighter pilot in the First World War, credited with 45 victories.
A pre-war infantryman with the prussian 45th Infantry regiment, he saw action against the Russians at the Eastern Front and was decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd class. Subsequently in August 1915 he applied for aviation duty and completed an observer's course and served with Fliegerabteilung (Artillerie) 219. Later he was accepted for pilot training and when he completed his training, he was sent to France in early 1917, serving for a brief period with Jasta Boelcke, and then went to Jagdstaffel 5 on 10 June 1917. He served as a Vizefeldwebel, along with Josef Mai and Otto Könnecke, as one of the three NCO pilots who flew together and scored 40% of the squadron's successes, and were known as "The Golden Triumvirate". His personal marking on the aircraft he used was a demon's head.
Rumey's first victim was a British observation balloon, flamed on July 6, 1917. His third was over British ace Captain Gerald Crole (5 victories) of 43 Squadron, who was taken prisoner. Rumey was wounded on 25 August 1917, and again on 24 September. By year's end he was credited with five victories.
Rumey continued to accrue single victories throughout the first half of 1918. He killed ace Lt. James Dawe (8 victories) of No. 24 Squadron on 7 June 1918, for his 23rd claim. This same day he was commissioned as a leutnant. He brought down and killed Canadian ace Lt. Edward C. Eaton of No. 65 Squadron on 26 June 1918. About this time, he switched to a yellow Fokker D.VII.
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