Oskar Hennrich
# Oskar Hennrich

Oskar Hennrich was a German World War I flying ace credited with 20 aerial victories. He was a notable balloon buster, as thirteen of his wins were destructions of observation balloons. He was the leading ace of his squadron, and ended his service with the rank of Vizefeldwebel.

## Aerial service

Hennrich's first assignment was as an aerial gunner with Kampfgeschwader (Tactical Bomber Wing) II, from 20 April 1916 to 20 February 1917. He then trained as a pilot, and was assigned to Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) (Flier Detachment (Artillery)) 273 on 10 October 1917. He moved on to Jagdstaffel 46 (Fighter Squadron 46) on 6 May 1918. On 14 May 1918 he scored his first victory flying a Fokker D.VII with his initial 'H' on the fuselage; he shot down an observation balloon west of Albert. He continued to score, mostly balloons, until 1 October 1918. On 24 September, he shot down three balloons. He was awarded the Military Merit Cross on 3 November 1918.

## Sources of information

* 1 2 3 Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. p. 128.
* 1 2 The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/hennrich.php Retrieved on 16 April 2010.
