Karl Emil Schäfer (17 December 1891 – 5 June 1917) was a German pilot during World War I; he became one of the major German flying aces of the war, with 30 confirmed aerial victories.
Early life and infantry service Schäfer was born in Krefeld and joined the Jäger Regiment zu Pferde Nr. 10 of the Prussian Army for his One-year volunteer military service. An engineering student who spoke fluent French and English, he was a fine draughtsman, and was studying in Paris when the war broke out. He managed to return to Germany and was assigned to the Reserve Jäger Bataillon 7 in Bückeburg. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class and was promoted to Vizefeldwebel during September 1914, before being badly woundedGerman Casualty Rolls / Prussian Roll Nr. 61 of October 27, 1914, p.1884) and hospitalised for six months. After returning to the front line, he was commissioned as Leutnant in May 1915.
Flying service Requesting flying duties, Schäfer trained as a pilot and served over the Eastern Front with Kampfgeschwader 2 from July 1916 onwards. He was posted to the Western Front and now flew with Kampfstaffel 11 of KG 2, where he gained his first victory. With just this single victory, he impudently telegraphed Manfred von Richthofen, who was assembling a "top gun" (kanone) squadron at Jasta 11, "Can you use me?" Richthofen replied, "You have already been requested."
Schäfer was then posted to Jasta 11 on 21 February 1917. In intensive operations during Bloody April he became a flying ace, being credited with 21 victories and awarded the Pour le Mérite. While a member of Jasta 11, "Karlchen" (Charlie) became known as the squadron's prankster and recorded many vivid incidents in combat and at play. He flew an Albatros D.III with red and black markings. Somehow amidst all this he found time to pen his autobiography, Vom Jaeger zum Flieger ("From Soldier to Pilot").
Command and death in action Schäfer was then given command of Jasta 28 on 26 April, and after gaining further victories for a total of 30 claims, Schäfer was shot down and killed on 5 June 1917 in combat with No. 20 Squadron. An F.E.2d flown by Lt. Harold Satchell and observer Lt. Thomas Lewis disabled his plane, which broke apart in midair. Both men reported that the Albatros fell in flames. Max Ritter von Müller of Jasta 28 reported seeing it break up, but noted no fire. Photos of the wreckage show no scorching and the wings still attached to the aircraft. His Jasta 28 comrades recovered Schäfer's body, noting that it had no bullet wounds, but that every bone in his body had been broken.
His remains were taken back to his hometown Krefeld and were buried in the main cemetery. The funeral was attended by Manfred von Richthofen.
With 29 of his victories flying the Albatros D.III, he was one of the most successful pilots in the type.
Combat record +List of aerial victoriesNo.Date/timeUnit AircraftFoeLocation1 22 January 1917 Jasta 11 Albatros D.II Caudron West of Pont-à-Mousson2 4 March 1917 @ 1150 Jasta 11 Albatros D.III Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A1109) South-west of Haisnesu/c 4 March 1917 Jasta 11 DH.2 or F.E.8 Near Lensu/c 4 March 1917 Jasta 11 DH.2 or F.E.8 Near Béthune3 6 March 1917 @ 1145 Jasta 11 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A978) Lens4 6 March 1917 @ 1155 Jasta 11 Sopwith 1½ Strutter Lens5 9 March 1917 @ 1120 Jasta 11 F.E.8 (6397) Faschoda6 9 March 1917 @ 1122 Jasta 11 F.E.8 (4874) Pont-à-Vendin7 11 March 1917 @ 1120 Jasta 11 B.E.2c (6232) Loosbogen8 24 March 1917 @ 0900 Jasta 11 Sopwith 1½ Strutter Anzin, near Arras9 3 April 1917 @ 1620 Jasta 11 F.E.2d (6371) South of Lens10 6 April 1917 @ 1020 Jasta 11 B.E.2 Givenchy11 6 April 1917 @ 1037 Jasta 11 B.E.2 West of Vimy12 7 April 1917 @ 1745 Jasta 11 Nieuport 23 Mecatal13 8 April 1917 @ 1440 Jasta 11 DH.4 Épinoy14 9 April 1917 @ 1900 Jasta 11 B.E.2d (5742) Aise Roulette15 11 April 1917 @ 0910 Jasta 11 Bristol F.2A (A3318) Fampoux16 11 April 1917 @ 1250 Jasta 11 B.E.2e Arras17 13 April 1917 @ 1830 Jasta 11 F.E.2b (A6372) Le Point du Jour18 14 April 1917 @ 1705 Jasta 11 F.E.2b (4877) Lievin-Eleu19 14 April 1917 @ 1720 Jasta 11 B.E or Bristol F.2a La Coulette20 21 April 1917 @ 1745 Jasta 11 Nieuport Scout (A6797) East of Fresnes21 22 April 1917 @ 2020 Jasta 11 F.E.2b North-west of Moncy-Tilloy22 25 April 1917 @ 1040 Jasta 11 F.E.2b (A837) Bailleul23 25 April 1917 @ 2030 Jasta 11 Bristol F.2a (A3352) Bahnhoff Roeux24 1 May 1917 @ 1240 Jasta 28 Farman Diksmuide25 1 May 1917 @ 1300 Jasta 28 Nieuport Scout East of Poperinge26 9 May 1917 @ 1900 Jasta 28 Sopwith 1½ Strutter Warneton27 18 May 1917 @ 1110 Jasta 28 F.E.2d Hollebeke28 23 May 1917 @ 1615 Jasta 28 F.E.2d Warenton29 23 May 1917 @ 1845 Jasta 28 Sopwith Pup Wytschaetebogen30 4 June 1917 @ 1410 Jasta 28 D.H.4 (A7420) Moorslede
See also List of World War I aces credited with 20 or more victories Aerial victory standards of World War I
References Citations
Bibliography
External links IWM Interview with Harold Satchell