Xavier Dannhuber

Who is Xavier Dannhuber?

Lieutenant Xavier Dannhuber was a German World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.

Dannhuber was first assigned to Kagohl 6, then to SS 25. His next assignment, on 1 July 1917, was to fly a fighter for Jagdstaffel 26. He shot down an observation balloon near Vlamertinghe on 12 August 1917 to start his victory string. On the 17th, he shot down Canadian ace Harold Joslyn. With a second win later on the 17th, and a win on the 21st, he became an ace on 27 September 1917. He was also shot down that day.

His next victory, on 1 October, killed ace Robert Slolely. On 9 October, he shot down William Rooper. He scored on each of the two next days, and again on 14 October 1917, to bring his count to ten. On the 18th, Dannhuber took a bullet through his upper arm while being shot down, probably by Andre de Meulemeester, which removed Dannhuber from action until 7 November. He returned to action in a different squadron, Jasta 79. Dannhuber ended 1917 by taking command of the jasta in December.

He crashed on 11 February 1918, and was taken out of action until he could resume his command on 9 October. Five days later, on 14 October, exactly one year since his last victory, he scored his final triumph. He shot down a new Sopwith Dolphin.