19 Facts About Gotthard Sachsenberg

Gotthard Sachsenberg was a German World War I fighter ace with 31 victories who went on to command the world's first naval air wing.

Gotthard Sachsenberg was born in Rosslau, north of the Elbe River near Dessau, Germany on 6 December 1891.

Gotthard Sachsenberg received the Iron Cross First Class in August, 1915 as an officer candidate, for his excellence as an artillery spotter.

However, Sachsenberg was fascinated by aircraft and in December 1915 transferred to the air service.

Gotthard Sachsenberg was posted to Marine Feldflieger Abteilung II as a Fahnrich zur See observer.

Gotthard Sachsenberg underwent pilot training at Johannisthal, qualifying as a pilot.

Gotthard Sachsenberg then returned to MFA II to fly a Fokker Eindecker.

On 1 February 1917, Sachsenberg succeeded Oberleutnant von Santen as commanding officer of Marine Feld Jasta I MFJ II was organized somewhat later, and the two were combined into a larger unit, Marine Jagdgruppe Flandern.

Gotthard Sachsenberg claimed his ninth victory on 17 March 1918, and continued to score steadily until 29 October 1918, when he downed his 31st confirmed.

Midway through this run, Gotthard Sachsenberg was awarded Prussia's and Germany's highest decoration, the Pour le Merite, on 5 August 1918.

Gotthard Sachsenberg formed Kampfgeschwader Gotthard Sachsenberg in January 1919, consisting of 700 personnel.

Gotthard Sachsenberg then joined with Professor Hugo Junkers, whose aircraft he had used in the Baltic, to found Aero Lloyd Airlines.

Gotthard Sachsenberg became interested in politics and was elected to the German Parliament.

Gotthard Sachsenberg represented Liegnitz from May 1928 to July 1932.

Gotthard Sachsenberg's taking a pacifist stance, not to mention his Jewish family members, made him anathema to the Nazis.

Gotthard Sachsenberg wrote and published articles decrying Germany's military buildup toward war, and especially its establishment of the Luftwaffe.

Gotthard Sachsenberg predicted it would bring war home to German families and German soil.

Gotthard Sachsenberg escaped the consequences of the conviction because his family shipyard was producing military ships.

The hydrofoil concept gradually spread worldwide, but Gotthard Sachsenberg did not live to see its general use.