Julius Arigi
| Julius Arigi | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
3 October 1895 Tetschen, Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now Czech Republic) |
| Died | 1 August 1981 (aged 85) Seewalchen am Attersee, Austria |
| Allegiance | Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| Service/branch | Artillery, air service |
| Years of service | 1913–18 |
| Rank | Stabsfeldwebel (Staff Sergeant) |
| Unit | Artillery Regiment 1, Fliegerkompanies 6, 41J, 55J, 1J |
| Awards | Medal for Bravery (1 gold award, 4 silver) |
| Other work | Fighter instructor for Luftwaffe (1938–45) |
Julius Arigi (3 October 1895 – 1 August 1981) was a flying ace of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in World War I with a total of 32 credited victories. He was Austro-Hungary's most highly decorated ace. His victory total was second only to Godwin von Brumowski. Arigi was considered a superb natural pilot. He was also a technical innovator responsible for engineering changes in the aircraft he flew.
Julius Arigi was born in Děčín (German: Tetschen), Bohemia, to a Sudeten German family. Before joining the military, he was a waiter or an electrician (sources are unclear in that case). He volunteered in October 1913 for Fortress Artillery Regiment No. 1 of the Austro-Hungarian Army.
In March 1914, he transferred to the Luftfahrtruppen (air service). He trained as a pilot, passing final tests on 26 November 1914, to become Zügsfuhrer (sergeant).
Initially during World War I, Arigi was assigned to Fliegerkompanie 6, based in southern Dalmatia, flying Lloyd Type LS 2 and Lohner biplane aircraft in operations against Serbian and Montenegrin forces. On 20 December 1914, Arigi and his observer, Leutnant Levak, crashlanded a Lohner 140 in the Adriatic Sea; fortunately for them, in the shallow water.
In October 1915, Arigi became a prisoner of war when he was forced down due to engine failure during a reconnaissance flight behind enemy lines in Montenegro. He escaped captivity on his sixth try in January 1916, however, by stealing an enemy staff car belonging to Prince Nicholas of Montenegro, and rejoining his unit which later moved to Albania.
...
Wikipedia