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Werner Voss ((ドイツ語:Werner Voß)) (13 April 1897 – 23 September 1917) was a World War I German flying ace credited with 48 aerial victories. Voss, a dyer's son from Krefeld, was a patriotic young man even while still in school. He began his military career in November 1914 as a 17‑year‑old Hussar. After turning to aviation, he proved to be a natural pilot. After flight school and six months in a bomber unit, he joined a newly formed fighter squadron, ''Jagdstaffel 2'' on 21 November 1916. There he became friends with Manfred von Richthofen. By 6 April 1917, Voss had scored 24 victories and awarded Germany's highest award, the ''Pour le Mérite''. The medal's mandatory month's leave removed Voss from the battlefield during Bloody April; in his absence, Richthofen scored 13 victories. Nevertheless, Richthofen regarded Voss as his only possible rival as top scoring ace of the war. Soon after Voss returned from leave, he was at odds with his squadron commander. He was detailed from his squadron to evaluate new fighter aircraft and was enthused by the Fokker Triplane. After transferring through three temporary squadron commands in two months, Voss was given command of ''Jagdstaffel 10'' on 30 July 1917 at Richthofen's request. By now, his victory total was 34. His last stand came on 23 September 1917, just hours after his 48th victory. After he fell in solo opposition to eight British aces, he was described by his preeminent foe, James McCudden, as "the bravest German airman". ==Early life and entry into military service== Werner Voss was born in Krefeld, Germany, on 13 April 1897. His mother, Johanna Mathilde Pastor Voss, was a pious homemaker who raised her children in the Evangelical Lutheran faith. His father Maxmilian owned a dye factory. Werner was soon followed by two brothers; Maxmilian Jr. was born in 1898, and Otto on 22 April 1901. An unusual feature of the Voss household was the presence of two first cousins, Margaret and Katherine. The elder Vosses longed for daughters, so they virtually (if not formally) adopted their nieces. The two nieces were commonly referred to within the family as "daughters" and "sisters".〔Crean 2011, pp. 57–59.〕 The Voss family home at 75 ''Blumenthalstrasse'' was a comfortable two-storey house with surrounding grounds. Young Werner was expected to carry on the family trade as he grew into his heritage.〔("Werner Voss" ) ''The Blue Max website,'' 2012. Retrieved: 18 June 2012.〕〔Diggens 2003, p. 16.〕 However, even before World War I burgeoned, he was already drawn towards patriotic service. When he finished his schooling at Krefeld's Moltke Gymnasium,〔 he joined the Krefeld Militia. In April 1914, disregarding conscription laws, underaged Werner Voss joined ''Ersatz Eskadron 2''.〔Diggens 2003, pp. 45–46.〕 As the war erupted, Voss qualified as a motorcyclist and motorcycle mechanic. He received his "Certificate of Graduation" as a motorcyclist on 2 August 1914;〔Crean 2011, p. 45.〕 subsequently, his parents would give him a 300 cc (18.3 cid) Vee-twin Wanderer motorcycle for his 18th birthday.〔Diggens 2003, second page of photo inserts.〕〔Crean 2011, p. 56.〕 After Germany entered World War I, he spent August and September 1914 as a civilian volunteer driver for the German military.〔Crean 2011, p. 46.〕 The Militia ''Ersatz Eskadron 2'' had been set up to feed recruits to Westphalia's 11th Hussar Regiment. On 16 November 1914, Werner Voss became one of those recruits despite still being only 17 years old. On 30 November, the hussar regiment was ordered to combat duty in the Eastern Front.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Werner Voss」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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