| Hermann Habich | |
| Birth Date: | 15 August 1895 |
| Death Date: | Unknown; after World War II |
| Birth Place: | Plättig, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire |
| Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Unit: | Feldflieger Abteilung 47; Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 215; Jagdstaffel 49 |
| Awards: | Iron Cross First and Second Class; Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order |
Leutnant Hermann Habich (15 August 1895 – unknown) was one of the original pilots in the Imperial German Air Service, having earned his brevet two months before World War I began. He is credited with having downed and killed French aviation pioneer Roland Garros. Habich scored seven victories in all, becoming a flying ace. He joined the Luftwaffe in the 1930s and served in World War II.
Habich was born in Plättig, the Grand Duchy of Baden, the German Empire on 15 August 1895. He was a pioneer aviator, having gained his license, number 697, before the start of World War I, on 17 March 1914.
Habich was one of the early German military pilots, joining Feldflieger Abteilung 47 performing aerial reconnaissance as an Unteroffizier in late 1914. He then transferred to Flieger-Abteilung (Artillerie) 215 for artillery reconnaissance and ranging duties. He was awarded the Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order by his native Baden on 5 February 1915, followed by both classes of the Iron Cross; his First Class Iron Cross was awarded 18 March 1916. In August 1916, he was promoted to Offizierstellvertreter and applied for duty in a fighter squadron. On 8 January 1918, he joined Jagdstaffel 49 in France. By this time, as a Leutnant, he was senior enough to sometimes assume command as the deputy commander. He scored his first air-to-air victory on 27 March 1918. By war’s end, he had destroyed five more enemy aircraft and an observation balloon.
Habich is widely credited with being the aviator who shot down and killed French flying ace Roland Garros.[1]
See also: Aerial victory standards of World War I.
| No. | Date @ time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location (all in France) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 March 1918 @ 1100 hours | Albatros D.III or Albatros D.V | Airco DH.4 Ser. No. A7767 | Destroyed | Bapaume | |
| 2 | 2 September 1918 @ 1320 hours | Albatros | Breguet 14 | Destroyed | Between Châlons-en-Champagne and Suippes | |
| 3 | 7 September 1918 @ 1135 hours | Albatros | SPAD | Destroyed | Saint-Hilaire | |
| 4 | 26 September 1918 @ 1540 hours | Albatros | Observation balloon | Destroyed | Minaucourt-le-Mesnil-lès-Hurlus | |
| 5 | 30 September 1918 @ 1820 hours | Albatros | SPAD | Destroyed | Maure | |
| 6 | 5 October 1918 @ 1106 hours | Albatros | SPAD | Destroyed | Somme-Py | |
| 7 | 6 October 1918 @ 0830 hours | Albatros | Breguet 14 | Destroyed | Somme-Py |
Believed to be Roland Garros[1]
Source:[2]
By the 1930s, Habich worked as a military pilot and flight instructor in the Luftwaffe. He served on the Eastern Front commanding a Nachtschlachtgruppe in 1944.[3] Later information about Habich, including when he died, is lacking.