Willy Kahle

Willy Kahle
Born	13 April 1892 Tarff, Sans, German Empire
Died	Unknown
Allegiance	Germany
Service/branch	Cavalry; aviation
Years of service	1911 - 1918
Rank	Feldwebel
Unit	Hussar Regiment No. 5 of the German Imperial Army; Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 27 of the Luftstreitkräfte
Awards	Iron Cross

Feldwebel Willy Kahle was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. This feat came at the end of seven years of service to his nation.

Willy Kahle was born in Tarff, Sans, Germany on 13 April 1892. He became a professional motorcyclist in his teens, before volunteering for Hussar Regiment No. 5 of the Imperial German Army in 1911. He began pilot's training at Fliegerersatz-Abteilung 8 (Replacement Detachment 8) at Grossenhain, Kingdom of Saxony on 18 July 1917. Post graduation, he piloted two-seater reconnaissance airplanes. After this assignment, he returned for further training at Jastaschule II (Fighter School 2), Nivelles, Belgium. His subsequent assignment was to Jasta 27 as an Unteroffizier, on 29 July 1918. His first aerial victory did not come until 2 September; his sixth and final victory was on 4 November 1918, a week before the Armistice.

At some point, Kahle was awarded at least one class of the Iron Cross. In the latter days of the war, he was promoted to Feldwebel.

While it is highly likely Willy Kahle survived the war, there is no further information about his subsequent life.

References

• Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. Norman Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.