Franz Brandt

Who is Franz Brandt?

Leutnant Franz Brandt was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.

Brandt entered the war an artilleryman. In July 1915 he transferred to aviation. His first assignment after training was Kampfstaffel 14, between July and September 1916. In December, he moved on to Schutzstaffel 2; he saw some action there, but no results yet. On 2 February 1917, he was reassigned, to Jasta 19. He scored his first victory on 4 May, downing a Spad VII. On 21 August 1917, he took out an enemy observation balloon for his second triumph. On 31 December 1917, he changed squadrons again, to Jasta 27. In his tenure there, he downed enemy fighter planes on 23 January, 7 April, and 17 June 1918. On 27 June 1918, he was appointed to command of Jasta 26. Between 7 July and 22 September, he shot down four enemy fighters and a two-seater. Brandt ended the war still commanding Jasta 26.