World War II Night Fighter Ace. Holder of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. 44 confirmed victories. In the fall of 1940, he was seconded for night fighter training. He then was assigned to the 3rd Staffel of NG1, flying the Bf 110 twin-engine night fighter, where he later was Staffel Leader. He was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to First Lieutenant in July of 1942. In January 1943, he earned his 40th victory, but was shot down shortly thereafter in aerial combat with and RAF Wellington bomber. His radar operator was able to bail out but he was not, and he was found with the wreckage of his Bf 110-F4 aircraft near Achterveld, The Netherlands. He was awarded the 190th Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross posthumously. He also held the Iron Cross First and Second Class, the honor Cup of the Luftwaffe, and the German Cross in Gold and was mentioned once in the Wehrmachtbericht in May, 1942, honoring his 20th victory.
World War II Night Fighter Ace. Holder of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. 44 confirmed victories. In the fall of 1940, he was seconded for night fighter training. He then was assigned to the 3rd Staffel of NG1, flying the Bf 110 twin-engine night fighter, where he later was Staffel Leader. He was awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to First Lieutenant in July of 1942. In January 1943, he earned his 40th victory, but was shot down shortly thereafter in aerial combat with and RAF Wellington bomber. His radar operator was able to bail out but he was not, and he was found with the wreckage of his Bf 110-F4 aircraft near Achterveld, The Netherlands. He was awarded the 190th Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross posthumously. He also held the Iron Cross First and Second Class, the honor Cup of the Luftwaffe, and the German Cross in Gold and was mentioned once in the Wehrmachtbericht in May, 1942, honoring his 20th victory.
Bio by: Kenneth Gilbert
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