Carl Menckhoff

Carl Menckhoff was a German First World War fighter ace. He was credited with 39 confirmed victories, the majority over opposing fighter aces. In his 30s when he learned to fly in February 1915, he was one of the oldest pilots in the Luftstreitkräfte. After being severely wounded in infantry service, Menckhoff transferred to Jagdstaffel 3 as a vizefeldwebel, afterwards being commissioned as an officer. He won the German Empire's most prestigious decoration, the Pour le Mérite, and was given command of Jagdstaffel 72.