Walter Höhndorf

Leutnant Walter Höhndorf was a pioneer aviator, test pilot, airplane designer and constructor, and fighter ace during World War I. He was credited with twelve aerial victories.

Walter Höhndorf was a schoolteacher's son who was fascinated with engineering and motors. He learned to fly in Paris in 1913. Upon his return, he qualified for pilot's certificate No. 582 on 3 November at Johannisthal Air Field. He became famous as an early pioneer of aerobatics in his native Germany. He also helped design and produce airplanes at Teltow's Union Flugzeugwerke.

Höhndorf volunteered for aviation upon the outbreak of war. He was commissioned on 15 March 1915. He served most of that year as a test pilot for Siemens-Schuckert. In late 1915, he was assigned to FA 12 to fly a single-seater; he shot down two Voisins a week apart, on 12 and 19 January 1916. After service with FA 67, he moved on to KEK Vaux in April 1916. Between 10 April and 19 July, he shot down seven more French airplanes. He received the Pour le Merite on 20 July 1916. He scored twice more in July, bringing his total to eleven. On 23 August, he was forwarded to Jasta 1. He scored his final victory with them, on 17 September 1916.

After an assignment with Jasta 4, Höhndorf returned to test pilot duties, as well as instructing at Valenciennes. On 15 August 1917, he was selected to command Jasta 14. He died in a flying accident while testing one of his own designs, the AEG D.I.