Paul Billik was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 31 victories.
11 Facts About Paul Billik
1.
2.
Paul Billik was killed in a flying accident while pioneering civil aviation.
3.
Paul Billik was promoted to the rank of corporal over the next two years.
4.
Paul Billik was still in this regiment when World War I started, and he went into battle with them.
5.
Paul Billik was assigned an Albatros fighter to fly, which he personalized with his good luck insignia of a pre-Nazi swastika.
6.
Paul Billik downed three more opposing fighters before being transferred, with number four being on 3 July 1917.
7.
The Pfalz was an underperforming airplane, but Paul Billik was shrewd enough to modify tactics to minimise its limitations.
8.
On 7 February 1918, Paul Billik led his new unit, by now nicknamed the "Black Squadron", to Bersee to support 6 Armee.
9.
On 10 August 1918, in a swirling confused dogfight, Paul Billik was shot down and taken prisoner.
10.
Paul Billik had been recommended for a Pour le Merite when his score sheet reached 20 victories.
11.
An Albatros or a Pfalz was considered a poorer combat aircraft than the Sopwith Camel, SE5a or Dolphin, yet Paul Billik shot down nine Camels, seven SE5as and two Dolphins.