Karl Deilmann

Who was Karl Deilmann?

Lieutenant Karl Deilmann was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.

Deilmann was born in Dortmund on 22 April 1894. As World War I began, Deilmann joined the Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches in September 1914. He was posted to Feldflieger Abteilung 34 in October. He was appointed as a Gefreiter in November, and promoted to Unteroffizier in January 1915.

During 1915, Deilmann served successively in Feldflieger Abteilung 52 and FFA 58. He was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class on 17 July 1915. On 14 February 1916, he was assigned to Staffel 30 of Bombengeschwader 5, which operated under direct command of the German Supreme General Staff. He won a First Class Iron Cross, awarded on 10 July 1916. Although details are lacking, Deilmann was credited with two aerial victories during 1916. On 15 September 1916, he was promoted to the officer ranks as a Leutnant, and transferred to fly fighter aircraft for Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 6. He scored his third aerial victory on 25 March 1917, and ran his total to six credited and one unconfirmed aerial victories by 17 August 1917. He transferred to FAA 244 for September and October 1917, before being withdrawn from combat for instructor duties.