Max Ritter von Müller (aviator)
| Max Ritter von Müller | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1 January 1887 Rottenburg an der Laaber, Bavaria |
| Died | 8 January 1918 (aged 31) Near Moorslede |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service/branch | Infantry, Flying Service |
| Years of service | 1907–1918 |
| Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit | Bavarian Infantry Regiment, FFA 1b, FFA 32, Jasta 2, Jasta 28 |
| Commands held | Jasta 2 |
| Awards | Orden Pour le Mérite, Medal for Bravery (Silver and Gold Awards), Iron Cross (First and Second Class), Military Order of Max Joseph |
Max Ritter von Müller (1 January 1887 – 9 January 1918) Orden Pour le Mérite, Iron Cross, Military Order of Max Joseph was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 36 victories. He was the highest scoring Bavarian pilot of the war.
Max Müller was one of eight children born in Rottenburg an der Laaber, Bavaria, Germany, to Max Müller and his wife Margarethe Wiesmüller. The senior Max Müller was a merchant.
The younger Max Müller completed primary school and was apprenticed to a locksmith. When he finished his apprenticeship, he became a journeyman locksmith. He moved several times to pursue his trade. For recreation, he was a gymnast. Physically Müller was small in stature, being only 5 foot one inch tall.
He joined the army on 18 October 1907. He originally served with 6 Kompanie, 1 Königlich Bayrisches Infanterieregiment (Company 6, First Royal Bavarian Infantry Regiment). On 1 October 1911, he transferred to the motorized company of the regiment as a driver. It was soon discovered that he had a natural mechanical aptitude, and coming to the notice of his superiors, he was then assigned as chauffeur to the Bavarian War Minister. He used this opportunity to repeatedly importune the Minister for transfer to the Luftstreitkräfte. In the meantime, he had been promoted to Feldwebel on 18 April 1913.
He was posted to the army flying school at Schleißheim on 1 December 1913, and after four months of training he became a fully qualified pilot on 20 April 1914. He started flying missions immediately.
Müller was assigned to Feldflieger Abteilung 1b on 2 August 1914. When the war broke out, Müller was flying with FA 1b as a reconnaissance pilot and carried out several missions. On 18 August 1914 however, he crashed taking off when his engine failed; both Müller's legs were broken. However, he overcame his injuries to pull his unconscious observer from the wreckage.
He returned to FA 1b and flying on 9 October. On 31 March 1915, flying an Otto CI 'pusher' biplane, he barely survived a hard dogfight against a French-flown Farman. Despite badly damaged elevators and a dozen bullets in his plane, he returned safely to his base.
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