Alfred Fleischer

Background

Alfred Fleischer was born on 16 March 1895 in Graudenz, Silesia, in present day Poland. At the time he was born, it was part of the German Empire.

Career

He served as a grenadier until late 1916 before transferring to aviation and becoming a fighter pilot. In an unusual turn of events, he became friends with an American pilot he shot down. Fleischer would return to Germany"s service during I, commanding air bases in Russia, Hungary, and Yugoslavia.

Postwar, he would move to the United States with the aid of the pilot he had downed in

Fleischer began his military service with the 1st (Emperor Alexander) Guards Grenadiers in 1914.

He served with them through the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun, and was wounded in late 1916. He then transferred to the Luftstreitkräfte, becoming a fighter pilot with Jagdstaffel 17.

He was posted to Jasta 17 on 30 May 1918, and scored his first aerial victory on 29 June 1918. Fleischer"s second victory came on 1 August 1918.

He was in a flight of five on a morning patrol at 14,000 feet.

A Nieuport 28 that had been attacking a German observation two-seater dove to assault Jasta 17"s flight commander. The Nieuport wounded the German pilot and left his plane smoking. In turn, Fleischer attacked to rescue his flight commander.

The Nieuport zoomed vertical to avoid being shot at, but Fleischer managed to pepper him with machine gun fire.

The Nieuport did a wingover to the left to escape, and Fleischer followed. The two of them circled downwards to less than 1,500 feet altitude.

As Fleischer lined up a shot from about 50 yards, he realized the Nieuport"s engine had quit. The Nieuport crashlanded.

Later, Fleischer and Lieutenant Clifford L. McElvain of the 27th Aeronautical Squadron met and cordially shook hands.

lieutenant was the beginning of a 45 year friendship.

Achievements

• Fleischer went on to score four more confirmed victories by war"s end, and was awarded the Iron Cross First Class.