Hermann Habich


Leutnant Hermann Habich Iron Cross, Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order was one of the original pilots in the German Air Service, having earned his brevet two months before World War I began. He is noted for having killed French aviation pioneer Roland Garros. Habich scored seven victories in all, becoming a flying ace.

Early life

Hermann Habich was born in Plättig, the Grand Duchy of Baden, the German Empire on 15 August 1895. He was a pioneer aviator, having gained his license, number 697, before the start of World War I, on 17 March 1914.

World War I

Habich was one of the early German military fliers, joining Feldflieger Abteilung 47 performing aerial reconnaissance as an Unteroffizier in late 1914. He then transferred to Flieger-Abteilung 215 for artillery reconnaissance and ranging duties. He was awarded the Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order by his native Baden on 5 February 1915, followed by both classes of the Iron Cross; his First Class Iron Cross was awarded 18 March 1916. In August 1916, he was promoted to Offizierstellvertreter and applied for duty in a fighter squadron. On 8 January 1918, he joined Jagdstaffel 49 in France. By this time, as a Leutnant, he was senior enough to sometimes assume command as the deputy commander. He scored his first air-to-air victory on 27 March 1918. By war’s end, he had destroyed five more enemy aircraft and an observation balloon.

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I
No.Date/timeAircraftFoeResultLocation
127 March 1918 @ 1100 hoursAlbatros D.III or Albatros D.VAirco DH.4 Ser. No. A7767DestroyedBapaume, France
22 September 1918 @ 1320 hoursAlbatrosBreguet 14DestroyedBetween Châlons-en-Champagne and Suippes, France
37 September 1918 @ 1135 hoursAlbatrosSPADDestroyedSaint-Hilaire, France
426 September 1918 @ 1540 hoursAlbatrosObservation balloonDestroyedMinaucourt-le-Mesnil-lès-Hurlus, France
530 September 1918 @ 1820 hoursAlbatrosSPADDestroyedMaure, France
65 October 1918 @ 1106 hoursAlbatrosSPAD, Roland GarrosDestroyedSomme-Py, France
76 October 1918 @ 0830 hoursAlbatrosBrequet 14DestroyedSomme-Py, France

Post World War I

Habich remained in aviation after World War I, becoming a flight instructor. He returned to service in World War II, commanding a night operations unit in Russia.

Legacy

Habich is widely credited with being the aviator who shot down and killed Roland Garros.

Endnotes