Josef Mai
| Josef Mai | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 3 March 1887 Ottorowo, Province of Posen, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died | 18 January 1982 (aged 94) Germany |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Service/branch | Air Service |
| Years of service | 1915–1918 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Kasta 29, Jagdstaffel 5 |
| Battles/wars | Verdun, Somme |
| Awards | Iron Cross First and Second Class |
| Other work | World War II service |
Major Josef Mai (3 March 1887 – 18 January 1982) Iron Cross First and Second Class, was a World War I fighter pilot credited with 30 victories.
Josef Mai was born in Ottorowo, Province of Posen. His original military service began on 3 October 1907 with the 10th Lancers. When World War I began Mai was part of the offensive aimed at the French capital of Paris. He later took part in the fighting around Warsaw, Poland. In 1915 he campaigned along the Dniester River. He also served at the battles of Verdun and the Somme.
Mai joined the German air service in 1915; he trained at the Fokker plant at Leipzig. He originally served in Kasta 29, flying reconnaissance aircraft in 1916. He then underwent fighter training and joined Jagdstaffel 5 in March 1917. As a Vizefeldwebel, he was one of three non-commissioned pilots (along with Fritz Rumey and Otto Koennecke) who flew together so successfully they ended up claiming 40% of the Jasta's victories between them, and making Jasta 5 the third highest scoring unit of the war. The trio was nicknamed "The Golden Triumvirate".
Mai scored his first victory on 20 August 1917, flying an Albatros D.V, and downing a Sopwith Camel of No. 70 Squadron. His fifth victory, over a RAF SE.5a, was on 30 November. Mai did not score again until 13 January 1918. On 25 April 1918 he forced down British 18-kill ace Lt Maurice Newnham of No. 65 Squadron, for his tenth victory.
By May 1918 Jasta 5 was sharing an airstrip with Jagdgeschwader 1, and as the "Flying Circus" re-equipped with new Fokker D.VIIs, Mai started flying a cast-off Fokker Dr.I triplane. He flew this triplane (Serial No. 139/17) for his next victory, over a pair of aces in a No. 11 Squadron Bristol F.2B. Pilot Lt Herbert Sellars (8 claims) was killed although Observer Lt. Charles Robson survived and taken prisoner. He claimed three victories with the Triplane.
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