Hans Müller (aviator)

Hans Müller
Born	3 July 1896 Etzel, Ostfriesland
Died	1964 Munich, Germany
Allegiance	German Empire
Service / branch	Imperial German Air Service
Rank	Leutnant
Unit	Jagdstaffel 12; Jagdstaffel 15 Jagdstaffel 18
Awards	Iron Cross

Leutnant Hans Müller, alias Hans Garelt, was a German World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.[1]

World War I

On 1 April 1914, Müller joined Infantry Regiment No. 13. He began World War I with this unit, but transferred to aviation in November 1916. He flew two-seaters a bit, then joined Jagdstaffel 12 in late 1917. In early January 1918, he transferred to Jagdstaffel 15 to fly a Fokker Triplane. He scored for the first time on 9 January 1918. On the 29th, he got a confirmed win but had a second one not confirmed. He switched squadrons to Jagdstaffel 18. Between 27 March and 13 September, he shot down and destroyed five more opponents. Between 9:00 and 9:15 AM on 14 September, Müller shot down three Spad XIIIs from the American 13th Aero Squadron . At 2:40 PM that same afternoon, he shot down a fourth Spad from that same squadron. A week later, he finished his tally with one last Spad.[1]

Post World War I

Hans Müller, at some point, had a neighbor with that identical name. The aviator changed his last name to Garrelt to obviate confusion in their mail delivery.[2]

During World War II, Müller served on the staff of Luftflotte 3 of the Luftwaffe.[2]

Post World War II, he designed steam locomotives for Hanomag and Henschel. He died of a brain tumor in 1964.[2]

Endnotes

1. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918. p. 169.
2. "Hans Müller". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 15 April 2010.

References

• Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 - 1918 Norman L. R. Franks, et al. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.