Friedrich Christiansen

Friedrich Christiansen was a World War I German seaplane ace who claimed shooting down twenty planes and an airship thirteen of those victories were confirmed. During World War II, he was the commander of the German Wehrmacht in the Netherlands he was convicted for war crimes after the war.

He was born in Wyk auf Fhr, Province of SchleswigHolstein, into an old seafaring family, the son of a sea captain. The generationslong seafaring tradition within his family charted an obvious course for his future. In 1895 he joined the merchant marine, serving foryears and volunteering in 1901 for MTBs. After one year, he returned to the merchant marine, serving several years aboard the 5masted Preussen as Second Officer. In 1913 he decided to deviate from this career, and learned to fly. Having graduated and gaining licence No. 707, he became a flying instructor at a civilian flying school.

Source: Wikipedia