Early Life and Enlistment
Ulrich Neckel was born in Güstrow, part of Mecklenburg, in northeastern Germany. He enlisted aged 18 in an artillery regiment. After extensive service in Russia he then transferred to flying service in November 1916.
Neckel joined FA 25 in early 1917, flying two-seaters on the Eastern Front. Undergoing single seat fighter training in August, He was assigned to Prussian Jagdstaffeln 12 on 8 September 1917 with the rank of Gefreiter.
This unit was one of four in Jagdgeschwader 2 under command of ace Adolf Ritter von Tutschek. On the 21st, Neckel claimed his first victory, a Sopwith Pup of 46 Squadron. A week later, he shot down an Airco D.H.5. A third victory on 18 October followed.
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