Helmut Steinbrecher

Who is Helmut Steinbrecher?

Leutnant Helmut Steinbrecher was the first pilot in history to successfully parachute from a stricken airplane, on 27 June 1918. He was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

Helmut's aircraft, a Pfalz D.III was hit by British flying ace Captain Edward Barfoot Drake, 209 Squadron Royal Air Force in his Sopwith Camel over Warfusée. Captain Drake was just 20 years old, from Goodwick in Pembrokeshire, and himself was reported missing in action, presumed killed, just two months later on 29 September 1918.