Heinrich Ritter von Gontermann

Heinrich Gontermann (25 February 1896 – 30 October 1917) was a German fighter ace credited with 39 victories during the First World War.

Life Born in Siegen, Southern Westphalia, on 25 February 1896, Heinrich Gontermann grew into a tall slender man, full of vitality. He abstained from smoking and was only a social drinker. He was a patriotic, religious introvert.

Gontermann's father, a cavalry officer, pushed him towards a career in the military. After leaving school, Heinrich enlisted into the 6th Uhlan Cavalry Regiment in Hanau on 4 August 1914. Only days after arriving in his regiment, he was sent into action. On 18 December 1915, after having been granted 14 days leave at home, Gontermann left the regiment.

Aerial service

Gontermann was finally accepted for pilot/observer training, and upon his graduation in early 1916 was posted to Kampfstaffel Tergnier as a reconnaissance pilot flying the Roland C.II. Later that spring he was posted to Field-Abteilung 25 where he flew both as a pilot and as an observer on AGO C.Is.

On 26 April 1917, Gontermann brought his victory total to 17 victories. Gontermann was also promoted to Staffelführer of Prussian Jagdstaffel 15 four days later. He replaced Max Reinhold, who was killed in action.

Gontermann as commander Gontermann's personal reputation was that of an aloof man with only a few friends. Professionally, he was a student of enemy aircraft types, with a special knack for picking off his foes from point-blank range within their blind spots. He was considered the premier marksman of his unit, as well as a skilled aerobaticist. He was aearded the Pour le Merite on 12 May 1917

Gontermann was granted four weeks leave in May–June 1917 upon receipt of the Blue Max. For the remainder of June, Gontermann again targeted observation balloons, shooting down one on both the 24th and the 27th. He also scored two triumphs in July, one of which was a balloon.

Death

On 30 October 1917, Gontermann took off in a Fokker Dr.I. He had not yet recovered fully from a bout of dysentery. Nevertheless, he was anxious to try his new airplane, despite misgivings about it. After a few minutes, he tried aerobatics at 700 meters altitude. He pulled out of the second loop and dived into a left turn. The upper wing collapsed and broke completely off. His airplane plunged into the ground.

Gontermann was pulled from the wreck alive, though with severe head injuries after slamming into the machine-gun breeches. Medical help from the neighboring village arrived surprisingly quickly. He was then taken to the Jasta's medical bay. Within a few hours, the army's chief physician performed an operation, but human skill could do nothing to heal the extremely severe wound. Gontermann passed away late that evening in the arms of his friend and comrade, also a flight lieutenant.

Gontermann was one of several German pilots killed testing the new Dr.I. As a result, Fokker was accused of shoddy construction and directed to change production methods for the manufacture of the plane.

Awards, decorations and honours Iron Cross (1914), 2nd and 1st Class 2nd Class on 27 January 1916 1st Class on 5 March 1917 Prussian Military Pilot Badge Honour Goblet for the Victor in Aerial Combat Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Knight's Cross with Swords (HOH3X) on 6 May 1917 Pour le Mérite on 12 May 1917 Heinrich-Gontermann-Weg in Stuttgart-Sillenbuch named in his honour