SCHLEICH, Eduard Ritter von. (1888-1947). Hauptmann. Victories = 35. Highest award = Pour le Merite (December 1917). Nickname = Black Knight of Germany. Joined the German Army as a cadet in 1908 aged 20 and was posted to the 11th Infantry Regiment in November 1910. At the outbreak of the Great War, von Schleich was 26 years old and commander of his regiment. Seriously wounded in the Battle of Lorraine in August 1914, he was, upon his recovery, transferred in April 1916 to the GAAS and eventually, as a pilot, to FA2 in October 1915 where he was again wounded in February 1916. In September 1916 he became the commander of a Military Flying School (#1) and from there, in May 1917, he contrived to get posted as a fighter pilot and acting commander of Jasta 21. He eventually shot down his first confirmed aircraft that month - a Spad S VII - and in June 1917 became the full commander of Jasta 21. Schleich quickly established an exceptional high level of morale. He was reassigned in October 1917 to Jasta 32, and then, once again, to Flying School #1. In December 1917, he was promoted to Hauptmann and awarded the title of 'Ritter (Knight) von Schleich' and rejoiced under the nickname The Black Knight of Germany, due to his white banded and black painted aircraft. In March 1918, he was promoted to command JG 8, and he continued his successes in the air. His ultimate victory was a Breguet 14 that he shot down on the 1st October 1918. Schleich survived the War and participated in the Armistice Committee.
