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After training as a pilot for the rest of 1916, Jäger returned to the
Otto Jäger
Russian Front to score his sixth victory on 20 July 1917. He was
then transferred to a fighter squadron in Italy, where he shot down Born April 6, 1894
an Italian Nieuport on 19 August 1917. Shortly thereafter, Otto Aš, Bohemia (today
Jäger was shot down and killed by another Nieuport. He was then the Czech Republic)
awarded his highest honor, the Order of the Iron Crown. Died August 19, 1917
(aged 23)
Italy
Contents Allegiance Austro-Hungarian
In the beginning Empire
Jäger was wounded twice during early 1915. On 21 March, he suffered a serious chest wound. He rushed
his return to duty from hospital, only to be shot through the lung on 17 May. This third wound left him unfit
for infantry combat duty. Austria-Hungary awarded Jäger the Bronze Military Merit Medal and the Silver
Medal for Bravery, First Class. Prussia presented him with its War Service Medal.
Invalided from the front lines, Jäger was posted to a training position. He promptly volunteered for the
Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops.[1] He reported to Officers Flight School in Wiener-Neustadt for
training as an observer and technical officer.[2]
On 7 June, once again piloted by Urban, Jäger forced down another Farman at 0730 hours, and still
another five minutes later.[1] Both planes made emergency landings behind Russian lines, one in the
vicinity of Ostrosez, the other near Olyka.[3]
On 2 August 1916, Jäger and Urban were flying a morning patrol in a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I when they
destroyed a Sikorsky bomber east of Szelwow. Russian prisoners of war would later confirm the death of
the Russian aircrew.[3]
Jäger was now an ace, and had the medals to prove it--the Silver Military Merit Medal, the Military Merit
Cross Third Class with War Decorations and Swords, and the Prussian Iron Cross Second Class.[1]
With this proof of ability, Jäger was sent to a dedicated fighter squadron, Fliegerkompanie 42J (Flik 42J),
on the Italian Front. Flik 42J was stationed at Sesana Airfield east of Trieste, and operated on the Isonzo
Front. On 19 August 1917, he shot down a two-seated Nieuport. Later in this same dogfight, Jäger came
under fire from a second Nieuport. The wings of Jäger's Albatros D.III collapsed from damage, and he
plummeted to his death. His emperor, Wilhelm II, awarded him his highest honor, the Order of the Iron
Crown, after his death.[1][6]
Sources of information
1. Franks, Guest & Alegi 1997, p. 184.
2. O'Connor 1994, p. 129.
3. O'Connor 1994, pp. 129, 308.
4. O'Connor 1994, p. 130.
5. O'Connor 1994, p. 308.
6. O'Connor 1994, p. 130, 308.
References
Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell; Alegi, Gregory (1997). Above the War Fronts: The British
Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces,
and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Fighter Aces, 1914–1918. Grub
Street. ISBN 978-1898697565.
O'Connor, Martin (1994). Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1914 - 1918. Flying
Machines Press. ISBN 978-0-9637110-1-4.