1. Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll began his military career as a cavalryman as the war began in 1914.
12 Facts About Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll
1. 2.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll flew a strategic bombing mission directed against Milan, Italy, on 14 February 1916; this is believed to be the first strategic bombing mission in history.
3.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll was born in Hungary in 1891.
4.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll trained at Fischamend as an aerial observer and was then assigned to Fliegerkompanie 17.
5.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll did well enough flying with Flik 17 that he won the Silver Military Merit Medal in June 1916.
6.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll finished his pilot training and received his Field Pilot's Badge on 31 March 1917.
7.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll was then transferred to a dedicated fighter squadron, Fliegerkompanie 41J.
8.
The abandoned Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll spiraled down in an attempted escape from the dogfight, was forced to level off at treetop level, and then was shot in the back by either Pessi or Baracca.
9.
The severely wounded Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll managed to crash-land his Albatros in Austro-Hungarian territory at 10:30 hours.
10.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll was buried with honors in the cemetery at Ajello.
11.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll was posthumously rewarded with his greatest honor, of which there is confusion.
12.
Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll received either the Order of the Iron Crown, Third Class with War Decorations and Swords, or the Knight's Cross of the Order of Leopold with War Decorations and Swords.