BUCKLER, Julius. (1894-1960 ). Leutnant. Victories = 36. Highest award = Pour le Merité/Blue Max (December 1917. One of only five recipients of the
Pour le Merité and the Golden Military Service Cross).
Joined the 117th Infantry Regiment in 1913 aged only 16.
He fought on the Western Front and was seriously wounded in August 1914.
Recovered,
in November 1914 he was an early volunteer for the GAAS and was
accepted for training in FEA 6 remaining on as an instructor.
After
serving with FA 209 as an observer, he undertook pilot training and
spent the remainder of his active service with Jasta 17, where he shot
down his first confirmed victory - a Caudron (model unknown).
During his service he received a series of wounds culminating in a serious incident and a crash landing in November 1917.
Buckler was commissioned to Leutnant in November 1917.
Once recovered, Buckler returned to duty, but in May 1918 he was again seriously wounded.
That finished his participation as a fighter pilot, having suffered five separate woundings.
His final victory was Salmson 2A 5th October 1918.
Buckler survived the Great War and served with the Luftwaffe as a flying instructor in the Second World War.
Confirmed victories
| Observation balloons | 7 | |
| Aircraft Manufacturing Co | Airco DH 5 | 1 |
| Amstrong-Whitworth Co. Ltd | AW FK 8 | 1 |
| British & Colonial Aeroplane Co. Ltd | Bristol F 2B | 1 |
| Caudron Fréres | Caudron ? | 3 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF BE 2? | 1 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF FE 2d | 1 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF RE 8 | 7 |
| Société Anonyme des Ateliers d'Aviation Louis Bréguet | Bréguet 14 | 3 |
| Société Anonyme des Etablissements, Nieuport | Nieuport ? | 2 |
| Société Anonyme des Etablissements, Nieuport | Nieuport Scout | 1 |
| Société des Moteurs Salmson | Salmson 2A | 1 |
| Société S.P.A.D. | Spad ? | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith ? | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith Camel | 2 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith Pup | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith Triplane | 1 |
| Unidentified enemy aircraft | 1 | |
| Total | 36 |
