Heinrich Geigl

Who is Heinrich Geigl?

Leutnant Heinrich Georg Geigl was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories.

Geigl was an elementary school teacher and a philosophy student in civilian life. Once trained as a pilot, he went through assignments with Kagohl 6 and Kasta 36. On 26 February 1917, he was assigned to Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 34. His first victory was on 29 April 1917; he became an ace with his fifth, on 10 August 1917. One week later, he was appointed to lead Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 17. Three days later, August 20, Geigl was wounded in action by small arms ground fire as he shot down a Caudron. He would not score again until 18 March 1918; between then and 3 April 1918, he would shoot down six more British airplanes. On 4 April 1918, during a dogfight, he collided with a Sopwith Camel. Geigl was killed and the Camel counted as his thirteenth win.