Robert Heibert

Robert Heibert
Born8 January 1886
Oberfell, Rhine Province, Prussia, German Empire
Died10 May 1933(1933-05-10) (aged 47)
AllegianceGermany
Service / branchArmy; aviation
Years of service1914–1918
RankOffizierstellvertreter
UnitFlieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) (Flier Detachment (Artillery)) 207;
Feldflieger Abteilung (Field Flier Detachment) 227;
Jagdstaffel 33 (Fighter Squadron 33);
Jagdstaffel 46 (Fighter Squadron 46)
Battles / warsBattle of Verdun
AwardsMilitary Merit Cross, Iron Cross

Offizierstellvertreter Robert Heibert MMC IC (8 January 1886 – 10 May 1933) was a German flying ace during World War I. He was credited with 13 confirmed aerial victories; he also had seven unconfirmed claims.

Early life and service

Heibert was a native of Oberfell in the Mosel region, being born there on 26 January 1886. He joined the German army in August 1914.[1]

World War I

He transferred to aerial duty in May 1915 and began service as a two-seater pilot on artillery cooperation duty with FA(A) 207 in October. He then transferred to FA(A) 207. He was active in the skies over Verdun. He then became a fighter pilot, and beginning 17 August 1917 was stationed with Jagdstaffel 33.[2] He enjoyed his first aerial success there, downing a Sopwith northeast of Diksmuide on 20 August 1917. After a transfer on 17 December 1917 to help found Jagdstaffel 46,[3] he resumed his winning ways with a double win on 16 February 1918. He would run off a string of ten more confirmed wins through 9 August, including busting two balloons on 1 August. He ended the war with 13 victories certified;[4][1] some or all of the seven more unconfirmed victories may have failed to gain approval as the German administrative system bogged down in the war's ending days.[2]

After winning both classes of the Iron Cross, Robert Heibert was awarded the highest award for valor available to a German enlisted man, the Military Merit Cross on 5 July 1918. He had been wounded four times, which should have qualified him for a Silver Wound Badge, though no award to him has been reported.[5] He also received his final promotion in military rank in July 1918. Heibert would survive the war.[1]

Post World War I

Heibert committed suicide on 10 May 1933.[2][1]

Endnotes

  1. ^ a b c d Franks et al 1993, p. 125.
  2. ^ a b c Franks & van Wyngarten, p. 43
  3. ^ Franks, p. 65
  4. ^ The Aerodrome website page on Heibert http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/heibert.php Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  5. ^ The Aerodrome website's page on the Wound Badge http://www.theaerodrome.com/medals/germany/wb.php Retrieved 21 January 2011.

References

  • Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell. Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
  • Franks, Norman. Albatros Aces of World War 1: Volume 32 of Aircraft of the Aces; Volume 32 of Osprey Aviation Series; Volume 32 of Osprey Aircraft of the Aces. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1-85532-960-3, ISBN 978-1-85532-960-7.
  • Franks, Norman, & van Wyngarten, Greg. Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1, Part 2: Aircraft of the Aces, 63; Osprey Aircraft of the Aces. Osprey Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-84176-729-8, ISBN 978-1-84176-729-1.