Hans Martin Pippart

Leutnant Hans Martin Pippart (14 May 1888 – 11 August 1918) Iron Cross was a pioneer aircraft manufacturer and early pilot.

He was a principal in the aeronautical firm of Pippart und Noll, which produced Eindekker airplanes.

[1][2][3] By the end of 1917, despite flying on a quiet sector,[4] he had six victories to his credit—two planes and four observation balloons—and was transferred to Jagdstaffel 13 on the Western Front on 4 December.

That same day, he was decorated with the Knight's Cross with Swords of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern.

[2][4] By now, Pippart was anxious to receive Germany's highest decoration, the Pour le Merite, as 20 victories made a fighter pilot eligible for the award.

He shot down a balloon, but was hit by anti-aircraft fire and found he had to abandon his airplane at an altitude of 150 feet.

[2][8] In his victory log, he was credited with seven enemy observation balloons destroyed, eight opposing fighter planes vanquished, and seven reconnaissance aircraft shot down.