Max Näther (1899–1919) was a German First World War fighter ace credited with 26 confirmed aerial victories. Between 16 May and 29 October 1918, he shot down 16 enemy airplanes, including 11 first-rate fighters—ten SPAD S.XIIIs and a Sopwith Dolphin. He also destroyed ten observation balloons;[1][2] they were crucial artillery observation and direction posts. As such, they were so heavily defended that attacks on them were considered near-suicidal. In addition to carefully calibrated antiaircraft guns defending these posts, a fighter patrol usually lurked nearby to pounce on intruders.[3]
The victories of Max Näther are reported in chronological order, which is not necessarily the order or dates the victories were confirmed by headquarters.
Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank; Guest, Russell (1993). Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. London UK: Grub Street Publishing. ISBN978-0-948817-73-1.