Offizierstellvertreter Offiziersstellvertreter, short OStv ( en: ''Officer deputy''), is a rank of the higher non-commissioned officers rank group (also staff NCO group) in the Austrian Bundesheer and Imperial German Army. ;See also Ranks of the Austrian Bundesheer ...

'' Bernhard Ultsch (born 26 March 1898, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/ultsch.php Retrieved on 17 April 2010.

Early life

Bernhard Ultsch was born in Wunsiedel, Bavaria, the

German Empire The German Empire (),Herbert Tuttle wrote in September 1881 that the term "Reich" does not literally connote an empire as has been commonly assumed by English-speaking people. The term literally denotes an empire – particularly a hereditary ...

on 26 March 1898.

Military service

Ultsch volunteered for service in the artillery when World War I began. During his service with them, he won the Iron Cross Second Class and a promotion to Unteroffizier. He then transferred to aviation, beginning Fliegerschule 2 at Neustadt on 19 September 1916. His first assignment was to Shutzstaffel 29 to fly two-seaters. There he received his pilot's badge on 18 June 1917, along with his native Bavaria's Military Merit Cross Third Class with Swords. He scored his first three victories there, on 24 and 29 July, and on 4 September. On 9 September, he was reassigned to fly fighters for Jagdstaffel 39 in Italy. He received the Iron Cross First Class on 22 September. During October and November 1917, he scored five more wins. He was also promoted again, to Vizefeldwebel, on 28 October. On 31 December, he was awarded the

Austro-Hungarian Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...

Silver Bravery Medal. In February 1918, he was transferred back to the

Western Front Western Front or West Front may refer to: Military frontiers *Western Front (World War I), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (World War II), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (Russian Empire), a majo ...

and stationed with Jagdstaffel 77. He had a couple of unconfirmed wins in March, followed by a couple that were confirmed. Then, on 5 May, he was wounded in action, and off duty until 22 August. He came back for two last wins in September 1918. Also during September, he was awarded the Bavarian Military Merit Cross Second Class with Swords.

Sources of information

References

* ''Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918'' Norman L. R. Franks, et al. Grub Street, 1993. , . {{DEFAULTSORT:Ultsch, Bernhard 1898 births People from Wunsiedel Recipients of the Iron Cross (1914), 1st class German World War I flying aces People from the Kingdom of Bavaria Year of death unknown Military personnel from Bavaria Luftstreitkräfte personnel