Hans-Heinz Augenstein
| Hans-Heinz Augenstein | |
|---|---|
|
Hans-Heinz Augenstein | |
| Born |
11 July 1921 Pforzheim, Germany |
| Died |
7 December 1944 (aged 23) Münster, Germany |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Unit | NJG 1 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Hans-Heinz Augenstein (11 July 1921 – 7 December 1944) was a German fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Operating as a night fighter pilot, he was credited with 46 victories, of which 45 were four-engine bombers.[1]
Leutnant Augenstein first served with 3./NJG 1 during mid 1942. He claimed his first victory on the night of 31 July-1 August, a Vickers Wellington downed near Ahlhorn. In late 1942, Augenstein transferred to 7 staffel. He claimed four victories on 27–28 May. In March 1944 Augenstein was made Staffelkapitän of 12./NJG 1 and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944.
During 1944 Augenstein claimed 42 victories. On the night of 7 December 1944, Augenstein’s Bf 110 G-4 was shot down near Münster-Handorf by a Mosquito night fighter of the Fighter Interception Unit, flown by RAF ace F/L ER Hedgecoe DFC. Augenstein and his Bordfunker Gunther Steins were killed but his Bordschütze Uzz. Kurt Schmidt baled out unhurt.[2] Augenstein was credited with 46 victories, all recorded at night and including 45 four-engine bombers.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (17 January 1944)[3]
- German Cross in Gold on 16 January 1944 as Leutnant in the 7./NJG 1[4]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelführer of the 7./NJG 1[5][6]
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. Ivy Books. ISBN 0-8041-1696-2.