Leutnant Georg von Hantelmann 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.
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. It was the first of five wins in June; on the 26th, Hantelmann became an ace. It was during this period that Kurt Wüsthoff borrowed Hantelmann's Fokker and flew his final mission. Hantlemann scored again on 17 August, but it was his second victory on 12 September 1918 that was notable. Hantlemann shot down David Putnam, a leading ace of the nascent US Army Air Service who had 13 victories of his own, for victory number eight. Just four days and six wins later, Hantlemann scored an even more notable triumph when he shot down French ace Maurice Boyau, who had a score list of 21 balloons and 14 airplanes. Two days and two victories after that, Hantlemann shot down Frank Luke's wingman, Joseph Wehner, for number 16. The young German ace ended September with 18 victories. On 21 October 1918, the day of his 22nd confirmed victory, Hantelmann was awarded the Iron Cross First Class, as well as the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern. He was now past the 20 victories then required for the award of Germany's highest decoration for valor, the Pour le Merite. Hantelmann was recommended for the Blue Max on 3 November 1918. However, the German Empire's defeat scotched the award. Nevertheless, Hantlemann ended the war with 25 confirmed and 5 unconfirmed aerial victories. All of his confirmed victories were on the Fokker D.VII, making him one of the most successful pilots in the type.
Postwar life
Hantelmann settled on a farm in Charcice, Prussia. On 7 September 1924, Polish poachers crossed the nearby border, and murdered Hantelmann when he discovered them trespassing on his property.
