Theodor Rumpel (aviator)

Leutnant Theodor Rumpel (born 25 March 1897, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.^[1]

Biography[]

Theodor Rumpel was born in Bahrenfeld, Germany on 25 March 1897.^[2]

On 1 October 1914, while still 17 years old, he volunteered for military service in the First World War. As a Jaeger, he was stationed on the Eastern Front. He was commissioned as an officer and transferred regiments during May 1916.^[2]

In August 1916, he transferred to aviation duty to begin pilot training. In January 1917, he was posted as a pilot to Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie)280 for artillery direction duties. He requested transfer to a fighter squadron, and was sent to Jagdstaffel 26 on 18 March. On 22 April, he moved to Jagdstaffel 16.^[2] There he flew an Albatros D.V with his personal colors upon it: black and white stripes encircling the fuselage, with a black nose from the cockpit forward.^[3] On 10 August 1917, he shot down an observation balloon for his first aerial victory. He followed up with a French Morane on 5 September.^[1][2]

Later in September, he was transferred to Jagdstaffel 23, and scored his third victory by downing a on 19 September 1917. He destroyed another SPAD on 12 December. On 18 February 1918, he became an ace by killing Guy William Price in his Sopwith Camel.^[1][2]

On 24 March 1918, Rumpel was seriously wounded while in a dogfight. That seemed to end his combat career, as he was next known to be serving in a training unit, Fliegerersatz-Abteilung 11.^[2]

During World War II, Rumpel would command a training unit, as well as the Dalag Luft prisoner of war camp.^[2]

End notes[]

References[]

• Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Norman Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.

• Albatros Aces of World War I. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-85532-960-7