Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim O
That's a beautiful photo. Do you know to whom that particular example was awarded and for what?
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Hauptmann Hans Joachim Marseille
According to the book "Knights of the Iron Cross, Luftwaffe pilot Marseille arirved in North Africa in March of 1941 as an officer candiate. By February he had racked up 50 kills to his credit and was presented the Knight's Cross. On June 3rd that same year he engaged and shot down six enemy fighters in 11 minutes. In the next three days he managed to shoot down an additional 19 aircraft bringing his score to 75 kills.
He was awarded the Oak Leave to the Knight's Cross, those in the photograph, on June 6, 1942
But it does not end there.
On September 1, 1942, Marseille shot down 17 RAF fighters in just three sorties in the same day. Eight of those kills made in span of just ten minutes.
For this he was awarded the additional honor of the Swords and Diamonds.
The highest honor Germany could bestow.
Ironically, on September 30, 1942, Marseille's Bf 109 fighter developed engine trouble. As he bailed out he struck the tailplane of his aircraft and was killed instantly.