August Delling
Leutnant August Delling was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.
August Delling | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 October 1895 Braunetsrieth, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire |
| Died | 17 June 1962 (aged 66) Battenberg |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service/ | Artillery; flying service |
| Years of service | 1914-1918 |
| Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit | Jagdstaffel 34 |
| Awards | Military Merit Order, Iron Cross |
Early life and service in artillery
On 19 October 1895, August Delling was born on a farm at Braunetsrieth in northeastern Bavaria. As World War I began, Delling joined the Bavarian artillery service in August 1914. By September, he was an Unteroffizier. On 1 September 1916, he was commissioned as a Leutnant and placed in command of an artillery unit.[1]
World War I aerial service
On 25 June 1917, Delling transferred to the Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Service). He underwent pilot's training at the Bavarian Jastaschule 2 in Furth. Upon graduation, on 16 March 1918 he was posted direct to a fighter squadron, Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 34.[1] In accordance with German custom, Delling was allowed to mark his own Albatros D.V, serial numbered D.4483/17. Over the basic silvery white of the fuselage went a light red wash from nose to cockpit, with the same red in a wide band around the fuselage. Wings remained standard five-color lozenge camouflage. The tailplane maintained its stock coloring of green and lavender on top, but the undersides were light blue and the rudder was painted white.[2] Delling is also known to have operated a third or fourth hand Fokker Dr.I triplane, though probably without his personal markings.[3]
Between 6 April and 23 June 1918, Delling was credited with five confirmed aerial victories, but denied confirmation on a sixth credited to an anti-aircraft unit. On 3 August 1918, Delling left combat duty with Jasta 34 because of ill health. He would recoup to fly again as an instructor at Bavaria's Fliegerersatz-Abteilung (Replacement Detachment) 2.[1]
Post World War I
August Delling survived the war and went on to become a director of the firm of Huecke and Buhren. He died on 17 June 1962[1] in Battenberg.[4]
Honors and awards
- Kingdom of Bavaria's Military Merit Order (Fourth Class with Swords)
- Iron Cross Second and First Class.[1]
Sources of information
- Franks et al 1993 p. 97.
- Franks 2000, pp. 95-96. Note: An old bullet hole in the reddish band was marked with a cockade and the date 4 April 1918.
- Franks, VanWyngarden 2001, pp. 86-87.
- The Aerodrome website's page on Delling http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/delling.php Retrieved 14 January 2013.
References
- Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
- Franks, Norman. Albatros Aces of World War 1. Part 1 of Albatros Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1-85532-960-3, ISBN 978-1-85532-960-7.
- Norman Franks, Greg VanWyngarden. Fokker Dr I Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-223-7, ISBN 978-1-84176-223-4.