Hans-Heinz Augenstein
Hans-Heinz Augenstein | |
---|---|
Born | Pforzheim, Germany | 11 July 1921
Died | 7 December 1944 Münster, Germany | (aged 23)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service | Luftwaffe |
Rank | Oberleutnant |
Unit | NJG 1 |
Commands | 7./NJG 1 |
Battles / wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Hans-Heinz Augenstein (11 July 1921 – 7 December 1944) was a German Luftwaffe fighter and flying ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] Operating as a night fighter ace, he was credited with 46 victories, of which 45 were four-engine bombers.[2][Notes 1]
Career
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.[3]
Hans-Heinz Augenstein was credited with 46 victories, all recorded at night and including 45 four-engine bombers.
Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (17 January 1944)[4]
- German Cross in Gold on 16 January 1944 as Leutnant in the 7./NJG 1[5]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelführer of the 7./NJG 1[6][7]
Notes
- ^ For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
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 (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
{{cite book}}
: Unknown parameter|trans_title=
ignored (|trans-title=
suggested) (help) - Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
{{cite book}}
: Unknown parameter|trans_title=
ignored (|trans-title=
suggested) (help) - Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
{{cite book}}
: Unknown parameter|trans_title=
ignored (|trans-title=
suggested) (help) - 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 (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
{{cite book}}
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ignored (|trans-title=
suggested) (help) - Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. Ivy Books. ISBN 0-8041-1696-2.
External links
- "Aces of the Luftwaffe". Hans-Heinz Augenstein. Retrieved 15 February 2008.