Sopwith over London for his second aerial victory. Klimke then underwent transition training and became a fighter pilot. He was posted to Jagdstaffel 27 (Fighter Squadron 27) on 12 September 1917; he posted an unsuccessful combat claim on the 16th. He then shot down two Sopwith Camels on 26 September. His fifth victory came on 24 October; that made him an ace. As 1918 began, Klimke began a steady accumulation of victories. Beginning with an unconfirmed claim on 29 January, by 13 August Klimke's list of victims numbered 14. On 26 August 1918, Klimke shot down American ace Robert Todd. At some point, Klimke flew a Fokker Triplane. His mother dictated his insignia. She believed an anchor symbolized 'good hope'. Klimke's airplane bore a black anchor on its fuselage, as well as both elevators. It is not known what model fighter he was flying on 21 September 1918, when he shot down a Camel for his 17th victim. It is known that the crew of a Bristol F.2b hit Klimke in the shoulder with three bullets. Somehow he managed to fly back to the safety of his home field and land. He was rushed from the airfield to the hospital. The hospital was bombed that night. The war ended before Klimke could heal enough to return to duty. He had been awarded the Iron Cross First Class. Sources of information Reference Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918''. Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1993. . 1890 births 1986 deaths People from Merseburg Military personnel from Saxony-Anhalt Recipients of the Iron Cross (1914), 1st class