Georg von Hantelmann
| Georg von Hantelmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 October 1898 Rokietnice, Prussia (now Rokietnica, Poland) |
| Died | 7 September 1924 (aged 25) Charcice, Poland |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service/branch | Hussars, Air Service |
| Years of service | 1916–1918 |
| Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit | Braunschweig Hussar Regiment No. 17, Jagdstaffel 18, Jagdstaffel 15 |
| Awards | Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross Second and First Class |
Leutnant Georg von Hantelmann (9 October 1898 – 7 September 1924) was a German fighter ace credited with winning 25 victories during World War I. It was notable that these victories included three opposing aces shot down within the same week in September 1918–David Putnam, Maurice Boyau, and Joseph Wehner.
Georg von Hantelmann was born into a minor Junker family on 9 October 1898. He was born in Rokietnice, Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire (present day Rokietnica, Poland). He was the eldest son. He joined the army in 1916. He was commissioned as a Leutnant on 15 June 1917 before he transferred to aerial service with the Luftstreitkräfte.
Hantelmann began training at FEA 9 on 20 September 1917. Upon graduation from this basic aviation training, he moved on to learn to fly a fighter plane at the Jastaschule in Valenciennes, France. His initial assignment as a fighter pilot took him to Jagdstaffel 18, commanded by Rudolf Berthold, on 6 February 1918.
When Berthold changed commands on 18 March 1918 to take charge of Jagdstaffel 15, he took many of his pilots with him in a highly unusual mass exchange of personnel. Hantelmann was one of the pilots who accompanied Berthold to the new unit. Once he arrived at his new squadron, Hantelmann had his personal insignia of a "totenkopf"-style skull and crossbones painted on the fuselage sides of his Albatros D.V reflected his prior service in the 17th Braunschweig "Death's Head" Hussar Regiment.
Hantelmann posted his first victory claim on 29 May 1918, but it went unconfirmed. Thus, on June 6, when Jasta 15 dove into battle, he was eager for success. As his squadron-mate Joachim von Ziegsar recalled, "Like a steer unbound, the aircraft with the Braunschweig Hussar's crest dived onto the enemy first." A British Airco DH.4 fell before the young Prussian's guns.
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