Hans Beißwenger

Hans Beißwenger (8 November 1916 – 6 March 1943) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves 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. In 500 combat missions, Beißwenger was credited with 152 victories, making him the 34th highest-scoring Luftwaffe fighter pilot of World War II. He was Ace in a Day twice, shooting down five aircraft on a single day. He claimed all but one of his victories over the Eastern front. He was reported missing in action in March 1943.

Military career
Hans Beißwenger was born on 8 November 1916 at Mittelfischach in the district of Schwäbisch Hall in Württemberg, the son of a teacher.

In 1937, he transferred from the army to the Flak artillery, serving with Flak-Regiment 25 in Göppingen. In 1938, he underwent fighter pilot training and became an instructor and served in this role until winter 1940. In the winter 1940, Beißwenger was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing). Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) Beißwenger was assigned to 6./JG 54 (6th squadron) and claimed his first victory on 7 April 1941, when he shot down a Yugoslav Royal Air Force Hawker Hurricane fighter during the Balkans Campaign. JG 54 had been moved to the Balkan theater to counter the pro-British coup d’état in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, known as Operation Marita. On the Eastern front, serving with 3./JG 54 (3rd squadron), Beißwenger became a leading scorer in I./JG 54 (1st group). Although he was shot down on 17 July 1941 behind enemy lines, he escaped capture and returned to his base. He claimed his 20th aerial victory over an I-18 fighter on 24 August 1941. By the end of 1941, his total stood at 32 aerial victories. He claimed his 40th victory on 6 April 1942, on 8 May, he achieved his 50th victory, and the following day, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 9 May 1942 for 50 victories claimed. Beißwenger and Leutnant Horst Hannig received the Knight's Cross from Generalleutnant Helmuth Förster at Siverskaya. On 11 August 1942, Beißwenger was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 54.

On 15 August 1942, he claimed his 75th aerial victory and his 100th on 26 September, for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 30 September. He became Ace in a day on 23 August during three combat missions, when for the first time he achieved five aerial victories in one day. On 4 September 1942, Hauptmann Dietrich Hrabak, his group commander, filed an officer efficiency report requesting a preferential promotion to Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant). "Tall, slender appearance. Very good attributes as an athlete. Open, sincere character. Decisive and mature. Good general knowledge. Officer without criticism with well-rooted, clear opinions and appropriate demeanor. Very good military personality, self-assured. Very talented as a flyer, he has excelled in action as a fighter pilot . During 449 combat flights, he has 97 kills because of his audacity. As a flight and squadron leader in the air, he demonstrated discretion and good leadership talent. He enjoys the full confidence of the other pilots. Well-liked as a comrade and superior, and correct towards superiors. Positive as a National Socialist. Leutnant Beißwenger has applied for transfer to active duty, regular peace-time officers' list. His activation would definitely be a plus for the officers corps of the Luftwaffe. As a squadron leader, he fulfilled his task very well and he is fully eligible for promotion to Oberleutnant." His promotion was approved and, after a short vacation, Beißwenger returned to combat duty and by the end of 1942, his victory total stood at 119. He claimed his 125th aerial victory on 23 January 1943, 135th by 11 February 1943 and five more on 5 March 1943 (146th – 150th aerial victories)

He did not return to base after an air combat south of Lake Ilmen near Staraja Russa on 6 March 1943 and Oberleutnant Hans Beißwenger, flying Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 (Werknummer 14236—factory number) "yellow 4", was posted as missing. His Schwarm had been engaged in a combat with four Soviet fighters. Beißwenger claimed his last two victories, numbers 151 and 152, over Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighters that day. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 of Unteroffizier Georg Munderloh was damaged in a midair collision, and Munderloh reported that he would try to reach his base. Eventually, he had to land in enemy territory. Taken prisoner, he was later told by Soviet pilots involved in the action that they had shot down another German fighter, which could have been Beißwenger. Another German pilot observed Beißwenger's aircraft flying at low altitude, clearly suffering from engine problems, attempting to return to friendly territory. After that, there was no trace of him. Beißwenger was later listed as missing in action. It may be that Beißwenger was brought down by Starshiy Leytenant Ivan Kholodov of 32 GIAP (Guard Fighter Air Regiment). Kholodov rammed the Bf 109—probably Beißwenger's—that was attacking his wingman, Leytenant Arkadiy Makarov, and managed to bail out of his own damaged craft before it crashed.

Awards

 * German Cross in Gold on 17 October 1941 as Leutnant of the Reserves in the 6./JG 54
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (9 August 1941)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd class (6 May 1941)
 * 1st class (16 August 1941)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold (20 August 1941)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 9 May 1942 as Leutnant (war officer) and pilot in the 6./JG 54
 * 130th Oak Leaves on 30 September 1942 as Oberleutnant (war officer) and pilot in the 6./JG 54