With 62 confirmed victories Ernst Udet was ranked second of the German aces and the highest scorer to survive the war. He was unique in gaining flying experience before becoming a soldier. His first posting was to Fl. Abt.206, equipped with the Albatros BII. Udet was a good pilot but with a tendency to over-confidence; which proved to be his undoing when he crashed his machine. According to authorities it was caused by the pilot indulging in maneuvers beyond the capacity of his aircraft. As a result he was sentenced to seven days detention; such was discipline in the Air Service.
First Success
Udet’s tenure with 206 was destined to be brief. In early 1916 he was transferred to a fighter unit operating with the Fokker DIII. It was regarded as an interim type of mediocre performance pending replacement by the superior Albatros D1 series. In the Fokker Udet had his first encounter with an enemy aircraft, a French Caudron. It proved to be a traumatic experience; for Udet could not summon the courage to seek combat. He was later faced with a more daunting scenario when he encountered a formation of 20-plus French machines. A sense of duty overcame his fears. He singled out a Farman and brought it down for his first victory.
Duel with Guynemer
In early 1917 he transferred to Jasta 15 and by April his score had risen to five. These victories were hard-won; for their French opponents in this sector were quite experienced. In June he was faced with the most difficult fight of his career. His opponent was none other than the fabulous Guynemer.
The French Nieuport’s performance was far superior to Udet’s Albatros and the pilots’ ability could be regarded as equal. For a tense few minutes they circled and weaved like two gladiators, each one seeking an advantage. The climax came when Udet found himself in an advantageous position, only to experience gun stoppage. The chivalrous Guynemer observed his predicament and broke off the combat. The incident had a profound effect on the sensitive Udet. Together with the responsibility of leading Jasta 15, it all proved too much for him.
Jasta11
Udet applied for leave and on his return he was given command of Jasta 37. By March 1918 his score had reached 20. At that point he was summoned by the ‘Rittmeister’ himself; Manfred Richtofen to join Jasta II. His acquaintance with the Baron proved to be brief; for Udet was shortly hospitalised. By the time he returned Richtofen had fallen. On the following day Udet was forced down during a combat, but was uninjured in the engagement.
He was also able to make a unique victory claim against a British tank, which he attacked repeatedly until it overturned out of control. Udet was at the apex of his glory but the realities of combat were unnerving him. He applied for leave and on his return he resumed combat flying. He shot down 2 American DH4s for his 61st and 62nd, which proved to be his final tally. A few days later Germany sought an Armistice.Udet was one of a select group of high-scoring German aces to survive the war; another was the remarkable Rudolf Berthold.
Peace and War
Post war Udet gained fame as an exhibition pilot and in 1931 he made a goodwill tour of The United States. He was instrumental in the formation of Hitler’s Luftwaffe and rose to high rank as chief of the Technical Office. It was a role that he proved incapable of fulfilling; until finally he became so unnerved by Goring’s intrigues against him; that in November 1941 Ernst Udet took his own life.
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