Fritz Rumey

Fritz Rumey (March 3, 1891 – September 27, 1918) Pour le Mérite, Golden Military Merit Cross was a German fighter pilot in the First World War, credited with 45 victories.

Service career

A pre-war infantryman with the 45th Infantry regiment, he saw action against the Russians and was decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd class. Subsequently in August 1915 he applied for aviation duty and completed an observer's course and served with Fliegerabteilung (Artillerie) 219. Later he was accepted for pilot training and when he completed his training, he was sent to France in early 1917, serving for a brief period with Jasta Boelcke, and then went to Jagdstaffel 5 on 10 June 1917. He served as a Vizefeldwebel, along with Josef Mai and Otto Könnecke, as one of the three NCO pilots who flew together and scored 40% of the squadron's successes, and were known as "The Golden Triumvirate". His personal marking on the aircraft he used was a demon's head.

Rumey's first victim was a British observation balloon, flamed on July 6, 1917. His third was over British ace Captain Gerald Crole (5 victories) of 43 Squadron, who was taken prisoner. Rumey was wounded on 25 August 1917, and again on 24 September. By year's end he was credited with five victories.