József Kiss - Hungarian Ace

Lieutenant József Kiss de Elemér et Ittebe was a World War I flying ace for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was credited with 19 aerial victories. He was the most successful Hungarian ace in the war. In June 1917, Kiss received the Hansa-Brandenburg D.I fighter that had arrived at the unit and, due to the commenced Italian offensive, was assigned to the improvised alert squadron of Oberleutnant Elssler. On June 10, 1917, Kiss shot down the first plane himself and then three more, proving his proper calling as a fighter aviator. In total, in the Flik 24 squadron, he achieved 7 victories. In November 1917 Kiss was transferred to the Flik 55J fighter squadron. Over the next two months, flying an Oeffag D.III fighter, he shot down 12 Italian planes there - most of them in a team-locked flight with squadron commander Josef von Maier and ace Julius Arigi, with whom he made special friends. Most of the victims were SAML reconnaissance planes or bombers, there were few opportunities to meet enemy fighters, but due to its efficiency, this squadron came to be called the Kaiser Staffel (Emperor's squadron). His last victory was on 28 January 1918. He flew without any further triumphs until he was killed in action on 24 May 1918 by Lt.Gerald Birks of No 66 Squadron.
Plane on the picture is Albatros DIII OEF 153.47, - Kiss adopted the number 7 with white band and claimed four victories flying it. Second plane belongs to Georg von Kenzian.