Karl Emil Schäfer

Infobox Military Person
name= Karl Emil Schäfer
lived= December 17 1891 – June 5 1917|placeofbirth= Krefeld
placeofdeath= Becelaere-Zandvoorde


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= German Empire
serviceyears= - 1917
rank= Leutnant
branch= Luftstreitkräfte
commands=
unit= Jasta 11, 28, Kasta 8, 11
awards= Pour le Mérite

Karl Emil Schäfer (December 17 1891 – June 5 1917) was a German pilot during World War I.

Schäfer was born in Krefeld and joined the 10th Jaeger regiment of the German Army for his military service.He was in Paris when war broke out but managed to return to Germany and was assigned to the 7th Jaeger reserve Regiment. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class and was promoted to "Vizefeldwebel" during September 1914, before being badly wounded and hospitalised for six months. After returning to the front line he was commissioned in May 1915.

Requesting flying duties Schäfer trained as a pilot and served over the Eastern Front with KG 2 from July 1916 onwards. He moved to the west and now flew with "Kasta" 11 of KG 3, where he gained his first victory.

Schäfer was then posted to Jasta 11 on 21 February 1917. In intensive operations during Bloody April he became a flying ace, being credited with 21 victories and awarded the Pour le Mérite. Schäfer was then given command of Jasta 28 on 26 April, and after gaining further victories for a total of 30 claims Schäfer was shot down and killed over Becelaere-Zandvoorde on 5 June 1917 in combat with FE-2's of No. 20 Squadron, by ace crew Lt. Harold Satchell and Lt.Thomas Lewis.

ee also

List of World War I flying aces

References

* 'Above the Lines' ; Franks, Bailey & Guest (grub street, 1993)

External links

* [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/schafer2.php Karl Schäfer page at theaerodrome.com]