 In Spring 1917, he underwent pilot's training and was posted to a Saxon two-seater replacement unit, "Fliegerersatz-Abteilung" 6.He transferred to "Flieger-Abteilung" 39, but after being injured in an accident, returned to FEA 6 in January 1918.He passed through Kest 1 on his way to posting with a fighter squadron, Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 45.