Feldwebel '' '' (Fw or F, ) is a non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in several countries. The rank originated in Germany, and is also used in Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia. The rank has also been used in Russia, Austria-Hungary, occupied Serbia ...

'' Karl Teichmann (1897–1927) was a

Austro-Hungarian Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military and diplomatic alliance, it consist ...

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviation, military aviator credited with shooting down a certain minimum number of enemy aircraft during aerial combat; the exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ...

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 is a mechanic who services and repairs automobiles, sometimes specializing in one or more List of car brands, automobile brands or sometimes working with any brand. In fixing cars, their main role is to Diagnosis, diagnose and ...

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 () is the capital of the Austrian Federal states of Austria, federal state of Styria and the List of cities and towns in Austria, second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 inc ...

, Austria.

Biography

Early life

Karl Teichmann was born in Rabersdorf,

Schlesien Silesia (see names #Etymology, below) is a historical region of Central Europe that lies mostly within Poland, with small parts in the Czech Silesia, Czech Republic and Germany. Its area is approximately , and the population is estimated at 8, ...

, the

Austro-Hungarian Empire Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military and diplomatic alliance, it consist ...

in 1897. He was of

Sudeten German German Bohemians ( ; ), later known as Sudeten Germans ( ; ), were ethnic Germans living in the Czech lands of the Bohemian Crown, which later became an integral part of Czechoslovakia. Before 1945, over three million German Bohemians constitu ...

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 squadron A squadron in an air force, or naval or army aviation service, is a unit comprising a number of military aircraft and their aircrews, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, ...

s. It was armed with

Albatros D.III The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service () during World War I. A modified licensed version was built by Oeffag for the Austro-Hungarian Air Service (''Luftfahrtruppen''). The D.III was flown ...

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 Ma ...

and Ferdinand Udvardy, he helped shoot down a SPAD over Ronchi for his first aerial victory. He then received the Silver Medal for Bravery Second Class. Teichmann was drawn into the fighting at the

Battle of Caporetto The Battle of Kobarid (also known as the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, the Battle of Caporetto or the Battle of Karfreit) took place on the Italian front of World War I. The battle was fought between the Kingdom of Italy and the Central P ...

. On 23 October 1917, he scored another victory, downing a

Nieuport Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars. History Beginnings Originally formed as Nieuport-Duplex in ...

fighter over Lago di Doberdò. 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 ...

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'' 14j at

Feltre Feltre (; ) 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 southwest from Bell ...

. 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 of natural causes 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