Oskar Hennrich

Who is Oskar Hennrich?

Vizefeldwebel Oskar Hennrich was a 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.

Hennrich's first assignment was as an aerial gunner with KG II, from 20 April 1916 through 20 February 1917. He then took pilot's training, and was assigned to FA 273 on 10 October 1917. He moved on to Jasta 46 on 6 May 1918. He scored his first win there on 14 May 1918, when he used his Fokker D.VII to shoot down a balloon west of Albert. He continued to score, mostly balloons, right through 1 October 1918; on 24 September, for instance, he shot down three gasbags. He was awarded the Military Merit Cross on 3 November 1918.