Franz Rudorfer | |
|---|---|
 Franz Rudorfer.jpg | |
| Born | 29 July 1897 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | 19 November 1919 |
| Allegiance | Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| Service/ | Infantry; aviation |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Unit | Flik 19D, Flik 51J |
| Awards | Order of the Iron Crown, Military Merit Cross |
| Other work | Pioneered European civil aviation |
Oberleutnant Franz Rudorfer (1897-1919) was an Austro-Hungarian World War I flying ace credited with eleven confirmed and two unconfirmed aerial victories.[1]
Franz Rudorfer was born on 29 July 1897 in Vienna, Austria, when it was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.[2]
Rudorfer had volunteered for service before World War I began.[3] He was posted to Infanterieregiment No. 59 as a new leutnant in August 1916. In May 1917, he requested transfer to aviation. His first posting after observer training at Wiener-Neustadt was Flik 19J on the Italian front, under the command of Adolf Heyrowsky. Here he scored his first victory, becoming a balloon buster on 15 November 1917. It was also during his Flik 19J assignment that Rudorfer began to teach himself to fly.[1][3] He would become a pilot without undergoing formal training.[2]
In April 1918, he was posted to Flik 51J to fly Albatros D.III fighters.[1] Between 17 April and 27 October 1918, he reeled off confirmed victories over eight enemy airplanes and two more observation balloons, along with two unconfirmed.[3] During the crucial Battle of Vittorio Veneto, Rudorfer was one of the few Austro-Hungarians flying, bringing down a balloon on 24 October, and a couple of Sopwith Camels on the 27th. He would score no more victories before the war ended on 11 November 1918.[1]
On 30 December 1918, Franz Rudorfer received Austrian Pilot's Certificate No. 2647.
Franz Rudorfer died of unknown causes on 13 November 1919.
