Werner Husemann

Werner Husemann (born 10 November 1919) is a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Husemann claimed 34 aerial victories—that is, 34 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—during World War II.

Career
Husemann was born on 10 November 1919 in Schötmar/Lippe. He served with a weather reconnaissance squadron since 1941. In late 1942 he transferred to the Stab (staff) of the Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing). He claimed his first aerial victory on the night 17/18 August 1942. His number of victories had increased to 17 by the end of 1943, among them three British Avro Lancaster bombers shot down on the night of 25/26 June 1943. He was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron commander) of the 7th squadron of NJG 1 on 1 October 1943. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 24 October 1943 and the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 1 November 1943. He became commander of the I. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3—3rd Night Fighter Wing) in January 1944. Husemann was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 September 1944 after he was credited with 30 aerial victories. In total he claimed 34 nocturnal victories in over 250 combat missions. The last 13 victories were claimed with Oberfeldwebel Hans-Georg Schierholz as his wireless/radio operator.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (1 November 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold on 24 October 1943 as Oberleutnant in the 7./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 September 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 3