List of aerial victories of Hans Bethge

Hans Bethge (1890-1918) was a German First World War fighter ace credited with 20 confirmed aerial victories. He scored his first three aerial victories as a member of Germany's first dedicated fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 1. On 14 January 1917, he was posted to command of a forming squadron, Jagdstaffel 30. He would score 17 more victories while in their lead. His 20th victory, a week before his death on 17 March 1918, qualified him for Germany's highest military honor, the Pour le Merite, or Blue Max, but his death in action scotched the award.[1][2]

The victory list

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Hans Bethge's victories are reported in chronological order, which is not necessarily the order or dates the victories were confirmed by headquarters.

No. Date Time Foe Unit Location
1 29 August 1916 1205 hours Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c No. 15 Squadron RFC South of Auchonvillers, France
2 31 August 1916 0815 hours Martinsyde G.100 No. 27 Squadron RFC Fins, France
Unconfirmed 20 December 1916 Enemy airplane
3 26 December 1916 1210 hours Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2d Beugny, France
4 28 March 1917 1024 hours Nieuport Scout No. 1 Squadron RFC Roubaix, France
5 6 April 1917 1048 hours Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter No. 45 Squadron RFC Vicinity of Tournai, Belgium
6 25 May 1917 2055 hours Nieuport Scout Vicinity of Douai, France
7 1 June 1917 2130 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8 No. 41 Squadron RFC Warneton
8 5 June 1917 1245 hours SPAD Frelinghen
9 15 July 1917 2110 hours Sopwith Camel No. 8 Naval Squadron RNAS BetweenLoison, France and Harnes, France
10 20 July 1917 2130 hours Sopwith Pup Diernacourt
11 15 August 1917 2045 hours Nieuport West of Annay, France
12 and 13 17 August 1917 1905 hours Two Sopwith Camels collided No. 8 Naval Squadron RNAS Wingles, France
14 21 August 1917 0805 hours Martinsyde G.100 Seclin, France
15 4 September 1917 1945 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter La Bassée, France
16 4 September 1917 1950 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter La Bassée, France
17 18 September 1917 1035 hours Airco DH.5 No. 41 Squadron RFC Viz-en-Artois
18 31 October 1917 1310 hours Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 Blouvain
19 19 February 1918 1405 hours Sopwith Camel No. 80 Squadron RFC North of Lorgies, France
20 10 March 1918 1210 hours Airco DH.4 No. 18 Squadron RFC Allennes, France[1][2]

Abbreviations were expanded by the editor creating this list.

Citations

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Sources

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  • Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank; Guest, Russell (1993). Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. London UK: Grub Street Publishing. ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.