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Rudolf Windisch

Rudolf Windisch
Born 27 January 1897
Dresden, Germany
Died After 27 May 1918
Missing in action in vicinity of Gouvrelles, France
Allegiance Germany
Service/branch Infantry, then aerial service
Years of service 1914 - 1918?
Rank Leutnant
Unit Infantry Regiment 177, FEA 6, FFA 62, Kagohl II, Jasta 32, Jasta 50
Commands held Jasta 66
Awards Prussian Order of the Crown (4th Class with Swords), Pour le Merite, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross, Gold Medal of the Military Order of St. Henry

Leutnant Rudolf Friedrich Otto Windisch was a World War I fighter ace credited with 22 victories.

Rudolf Friedrich Otto Windisch was born in Dresden, Germany, the son of Bruno Windisch, who owned a pastry shop. During his childhood, Rudolf was very interested in aviation. He built model airplanes, and then a glider.

On 14 September 1914, at the age of 17, he volunteered for a year's service with Infantry Regiment 177. After a short period of training, he was off to war on the Western Front. On 21 November, he was wounded by shrapnel and removed from front line duty. He recuperated first at a hospital in Laon, France, then at the Reserve Military Hospital in his home town of Dresden.

In February 1915, he was assigned to the Military Aviation School in Leipzig-Lindenthal. He was promoted to sergeant and was a flight instructor with FEA 6.

1 May 1916 brought a front line flying assignment with FA 62 on the Russian Front. On the night of 2/3 October 1916, he set out on what is arguably the first case of air-supported espionage. He landed behind Russian lines and dropped off Oberleutnant Maximilian von Cossel (1893-1967) near the Rowno to Brody rail line. Cossel destroyed a railroad bridge that was of strategic importance to the Russians. Windisch swooped in on the 3rd to pick Cossel up and carry him back to safety. This feat earned him the Prussian Order of the Crown (4th Class with Swords); the Kaiser himself presented it on 18 October 1916. Windisch would be the only pilot so honored.

In November, he would transfer to Kagohl II to fly recon missions on the Western Front. On 20 February 1917, he moved up to flying fighters with Royal Bavarian Jasta 32.

Even before his feat of espionage derring-do, Windisch had scored his first aerial victory. On 25 August 1916, while still flying a two-seater reconnaissance airplane, he became a balloon buster by shooting down one of the Russian observation balloons southeast of Brody.


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