Max Immelmann

Max Immelmann (September 21, 1890 - June 18, 1916) was a German World War I Flying ace.

Related Topics:
September 21 - 1890 - June 18 - 1916 - German - World War I - Flying ace

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He was born in Dresden the son of a paper board container factory owner. After leaving school he joined Eisenbahnregiment Berlin. During 1913 - 1914 he studied mechanical engineering in Dresden.

Related Topics:
Dresden - Berlin - 1913 - 1914

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When World War I started he joined the Luftstreitkräfte and was sent for pilot training in November 1914. He was initially stationed in northern France as a reconnaissance aviator. On June 3, 1915 he was shot down by a French pilot but managed to land safely behind German lines. He was decorated with the Iron Cross, Second Class for this. Later in 1915 he became a fighter pilot. He became known as Eagle of Lille (Der Adler von Lille).

Related Topics:
Luftstreitkräfte - France - June 3 - 1915 - Iron Cross

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An aerobatic maneuver, performed by rolling the plane 180 degrees, then pushing it through an inverted dive, is now called an Immelmann turn. The maneuver, also known as a "split-s," (the top half of the letter "s" being the arc described by the plane during the maneuver) rapidly changes the forward direction of the plane in flight by 180 degrees while lowering its altitude, yet keeping it in the same vertical plane. There is some controversy over whether Immelmann himself actually developed the turn. It is also said that the term Immelmann turn was originally used to refer to a different maneuver, known as the Hammerhead.

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He was the first German combat pilot to be awarded the Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military honour. The medal became known as the Blue Max in honor of Immelmann. His medal was presented by Kaiser Wilhelm II in January 1916. Oswald Boelcke received his medal at the same ceremony.

Related Topics:
Pour le Mérite - Wilhelm II - 1916 - Oswald Boelcke

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Immelmann was killed in combat over Sallaumines in northern France on June 18, 1916. Some sources, including the Luftwaffe at the time, claimed this was due to (friendly) anti-aircraft artillery. Others, including his brother, believed the interruptor mechanism (which was designed to prevent his through-the-propeller machinegun from damaging the propeller blades) had catastrophically malfunctioned. According to the British official version however, he was shot down by an F.E.2b aircraft flown by pilot G.R. McCubbin and observer J. H. Waller from Royal Flying Corps Squadron 25.

Related Topics:
Sallaumines - June 18 - 1916 - Luftwaffe - Interruptor mechanism - F.E.2b - Royal Flying Corps

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He was credited with 15 victories.

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