Otto Brauneck

Leutnant Otto Brauneck (27 February 1896 – 26 July 1917) was a German World War I flying ace credited with ten confirmed and five unconfirmed aerial victories. Originally assigned to fly on the Macedonian Front to support Germany's ally, the Ottoman Empire, between September 1916 and April 1917 Brauneck shot down four enemy observation balloons and three aircraft, with a further five claims going unproven. Transferred to the Red Baron's Jagdstaffel 11 in France, Brauneck scored a further three victories before being killed in action on 26 July 1917.

Early life

Otto Brauneck was born on 27 February 1896 in Sulzbach, the German Empire. He then transferred to Jagdstaffel 25 on 14 January 1917. On 19 January, he received the Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern. Between 19 January and 6 April 1917, he claimed seven triumphs, only three of which were confirmed.

Victories in Macedonia "U/C" marks an unconfirmed victory. No.Date/timeUnitFoeLocationNotes 1 September 1916 FFA 69 Biplane Bitola, vicinity of Manastir 2 14 December 1916 FFA 69 Observation balloon Vicinity of Monastir U/C 25 December 1916 FFA 69 Enemy aircraft Foe forced to land 3 5 January 1917 FFA 69 Observation balloon Vicinity of Negočani 4 5 January 1917 FFA 69 Observation balloon Cernabogen 5 19 January 1917 Jagdstaffel 25 Caudron G.IV North of Gjevgjeli U/C 20 January 1917 Jasta 25 Farman Southwest of Doiran Lake U/C 20 January 1917 Jasta 25 Enemy aircraft Southwest of Doiran Lake 6 11 February 1917 @ 1200 hours Jasta 25 Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 South of Hudova, vicinity of Balince Victim was from No. 47 Squadron RFC U/C 1 March 1917 Jasta 25 Enemy aircraft 7 31 March 1917 Jasta 25 Observation balloon Cernabogen, south of Monastir Victim was from 27th Kite Balloon Squadron U/C 6 April 1917 Jasta 25 Observation balloon

In France

On 20 April 1917, he moved to Jasta 11 on the Western Front, to serve under Manfred von Richthofen. He scored twice in early June. On 22 July 1917, he shot down a 10 Naval Squadron Sopwith Triplane, probably Canadian seven-victory ace Flight Lieutenant John Albert Page. On 26 July 1917, Brauneck fell to the guns of 70 Squadron's Captain Noel Webb.

Victories in France

No.Date/timeUnitFoeLocationNotes 8 1 June 1917 @ 1158 hours Jagdstaffel 11 Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 Méricourt, France Victim from No. 16 Squadron RFC 9 5 June 1917 1120 hours Jasta 11 Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter Terhand Victim from No. 45 Squadron RFC 10 22 July 1917 @ 1125 hours Jasta 11 Sopwith Triplane N5478 Becelaere Victim from No. 10 Squadron RNAS

Decorations and awards Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern (19 January 1917) Iron Cross of 1914, 1st and 2nd class

Sources of information