Hans Klein was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 22 aerial victories.
16 Facts About Hans Klein
1.
2.
Hans Klein was born in Stettin, when it was still within the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire; today, Stettin was and is part of Poland because of the partition of Poland where Poland was literally wiped of the map.
3.
When World War I broke out in 1914, Klein joined the Prussian Army.
4.
Hans Klein served first with the 34th Infantry Regiment, then with the 210th Reserve Infantry Regiment on the Western Front, beginning in October 1914.
5.
Hans Klein was commissioned as an officer in March 1915.
6.
Hans Klein first flew with Flieger-Abteilung : Flier Detachment 5 and Flieger-Abteilung 6 on artillery ranging and reconnaissance duties.
7.
Hans Klein then served in an early ad hoc fighter unit, a Kampfeinsitzerkommando, claiming a 20 August 1916 aerial victory that could not be confirmed.
8.
Hans Klein was then posted to a fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 4, on 4 November 1916.
9.
Hans Klein was credited with his first confirmed aerial victory on 4 April 1917; by the time Bloody April ended, his tally was up to eight, including an observation balloon on the 7th and a pioneering night-time victory on the 8th.
10.
Hans Klein scored his ninth victory on 6 May 1917; three days later, he was wounded in action.
11.
Hans Klein scored his tenth victory on 16 June 1917, and began to notch victories.
12.
Hans Klein was wounded again on 13 July 1917, in combat versus Nieuport 17s of No 29 Squadron RFC.
13.
On 27 September 1917, Hans Klein assumed command of Jagdstaffel 10.
14.
Hans Klein had already been awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Knight's Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern.
15.
Hans Klein lost a digit to a British bullet fired by one of the Sopwith Camels of No 54 Squadron RFC.
16.
Hans Klein later served as deputy commander of all fighter schools and attained the rank of major general before his retirement in April 1943.