'' Feldwebel'' Karl Teichmann (1897–1927) was a

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 ...

World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. His path to aerial victories began in 1915, when he joined the Austro-Hungarian infantry. His prewar training as an

auto mechanic An auto mechanic (automotive technician in most of North America, light vehicle technician in British English, and motor mechanic in Australian English) is a mechanic who services and repairs automobiles, sometimes specializing in one or more ...

saw him assigned as an aviation mechanic on the Russian Front in February 1916. After eight months, he began pilot training, being awarded Austrian Pilot's Certificate 658 on 16 May 1917. Reassigned to the Italian Front, he scored five victories—three shared—between 26 September 1917 and 22 August 1918. Teichmann would survive the war and die of natural causes in

Graz Graz (; sl, Gradec) is the capital city of the Austrian state of Styria and second-largest city in Austria after Vienna. As of 1 January 2021, it had a population of 331,562 (294,236 of whom had principal-residence status). In 2018, the popul ...

, Austria.

Biography

Early life

Karl Teichmann was born in Rabersdorf, Schlesien, the

Austro-Hungarian Empire 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 ...

in 1897. He was of

Sudeten German German Bohemians (german: Deutschböhmen und Deutschmährer, i.e. German Bohemians and German Moravians), later known as Sudeten Germans, were ethnic Germans living in the Czech lands of the Bohemian Crown, which later became an integral part ...

heritage. He trained as an automotive mechanic in his youth before World War I.Franks, Guest, & Alegi, 1997, p. 202. Teichmann joined Infantry Regiment No. 1 in 1915, but soon after basic training found himself forwarded to ''Fliegerkompanie'' 5. He served as a mechanic on the Russian Front, beginning in February 1916. Eight months later, he applied for pilot's training; he was accepted in November 1916. His talent as a pilot got him sent directly to advanced training as a fighter pilot. On 16 May 1917, he was awarded Austrian Pilot's Certificate 659.O'Connor 1994, pp. 221-222. AlbatrosDIII Navratil

Aerial combat

In August 1917, Teichmann was posted to ''Fliegerkompanie'' 42J, considered the cream of the Austro-Hungarian fighter squadrons. It was armed with Albatros D.III fighters. On 26 September 1917, in company with

Ernst Strohschneider Oberleutnant Ernst Strohschneider was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace during World War I. He was credited with 15 confirmed aerial victories during his rise to the simultaneous command of two fighter squadrons. He died in a flying accident on 21 M ...

and

Ferdinand Udvardy Stabsfeldwebel Ferdinand Udvardy was a Hungarian conscript into the military of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who became a flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. Upon the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, Udvardy became a Hungarian citizen, a ...

, he helped shoot down a SPAD over Ronchi for his first aerial victory. He then received the Silver

Medal for Bravery The Medal for Bravery (Serbo-Croatian: ''Медаља за Храброст'', Macedonian: ''Медал за Xраброст'') was a Yugoslav military award created in 1943 for achievements in the line of duty during World War II. It was initial ...

Second Class. Teichmann was drawn into the fighting at the Battle of Caporetto. On 23 October 1917, he scored another victory, downing a Nieuport fighter over

Lago di Doberdò Lake Doberdò ( it, Lago di Doberdò, sl, Doberdobsko jezero) is the name of a sinkhole in the Province of Gorizia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. It is located on the westernmost edge of the Karst ( it, Carso, sl, Kras) plateau, close to the bo ...

. On 27 November, he teamed with

Karl Patzelt ''Oberleutnant'' Karl Patzelt (1893-1918) was an Austro-Hungarian World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. Entering World War I as an officer in an infantry regiment, he distinguished himself during the first two years of the wa ...

for a third victory, a Sopwith destroyed over San Dona di Piave. His feats earned him the First Class Silver Bravery Medal. Teichmann then transferred to a new fighter squadron being founded with Frank Linke-Crawford commanding, ''Fliegerkompanie'' 60 J. On 3 February 1918, he shot down another Nieuport, over Monte Nuoval. Later in 1918, he was granted the highest honor of his nation, the Gold Medal for Bravery. In August 1918, he moved to ''Fliegerkompanie'' 14 at

Feltre Feltre ( vec, Fèltre) is a town and ''comune'' of the province of Belluno in Veneto, northern Italy. A hill town in the southern reaches of the province, it is located on the Stizzon River, about from its junction with the Piave, and southwes ...

. On 22 August, he scored his fifth victory by shooting down a Bristol F.2 Fighter from

No. 139 Squadron RAF No. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron that was fighter unit in World War I and a bomber unit from World War II until the 1960s. History Formation and World War I No. 139 Squadron Royal Air Force was formed on 3 July 191 ...

. Karl Teichmann survived the war. He died a natural death in

in 1927.

Sources of information

References

* * 1897 births 1927 deaths Austro-Hungarian World War I flying aces Austro-Hungarian Air Service personnel Recipients of the Medal for Bravery (Austria-Hungary) {{Authority control