The Hunting Falcon: The Story of WW1 German Ace Hans-Joachim Buddecke

Hans-Joachim Buddecke was a German First World War ace who wrote The Hunting Falcon. He was shot down over the Western Front in 1918 and had thirteen kills to his name. Buddecke's journey to war began in America, where he learned to fly and established a plane manufacturing company. He was one of the few Germans in America who found his way home and joined the German air force.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The Hunting Falcon, penned by Hans-Joachim Buddecke, a renowned German ace of the First World War, recounts his remarkable experiences as a combat pilot. Despite the publication of his autobiography in the spring of 1918, Buddecke did not witness the print edition of his book until the very last year of the war. Tragically, on March 10, 1918, he was shot down over the Western Front. In the aftermath, his father assumed the responsibility of writing the forward. Buddecke's journey to the war commenced in America during 1913–1914, where he worked at his uncle's car factory in Indianapolis. As a newcomer to the United States, he actively integrated into the German community of Indianapolis. Driven by ambition, he pursued flying lessons at Cicero Flying Field near Chicago, eventually securing Indianapolis investors to establish a new plane manufacturing company. The deal was finalized just as the war in Europe erupted in 1914. Buddecke then disguised himself as a man from Alsace-Lorraine and embarked on a journey to Italy, navigating around the British blockade by traveling on a Greek ship. Among the few Germans in America who managed to return home, Buddecke joined the German air force and flew alongside his close friend, future ace Rudolf Berthold. As one of the pioneering Eindecker pilots, he began racking up kills. Among his victims was the younger brother of Lawrence of Arabia. Over time, Buddecke was deployed to Turkey, where he emerged as a top ace, engaging in aerial combat over Gallipoli. His heroic actions in this theater earned him the revered nickname "El-Schahin," or the Hunting Falcon. Remarkably, he became the third German pilot to receive the Pour le Merite, the Blue Max, Germany's highest military award. The previous recipients were the legendary ace Max Immelmann, the namesake of the medal's nickname, and Oswald Boelcke, a prominent figure in German combat aviation and an ace himself. After returning from Gallipoli to the Western Front, Buddecke's exceptional skills as a pilot were widely recognized. He was hailed as one of the top pilots, demonstrating his bravery and dedication to the cause.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399085014