User:Reguyla\Karl Barth

[Link label/Photo of Karl Barth]

Karl Otto Max Barth (* December 29th, 1914 in Lengenfeld - † KIA November 9th, 1942 over the Mediterranean) was a German Hauptmann der Reserve in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Karl Otto Max Barth was born on the 29.12.1914 in Lengenfeld/Auerbach i.V.. His military career is still largely in the dark. As first lieutenant of the reserve and Commander he 115 - aircraft of the 3rd season of the coast pilot group 506, was one he ever again especially from. Still managed to sink him 36,000 opposing GRT. So the own reconnaissance reported a northward operating convoy on the Scottish East Coast for example on the 20.10.1940. The 3rd Squadron under Captain of Dyrchs was used on it. In almost total darkness, the four engines of the season in the West flew to Oberleutnant zur see Barth made the convoy first. However slightly too late, because the aircraft armed with torpedoes had to fly on newly to an attack. While the throwing off of the torpedoes, received the aircraft defensive fire and suffered some heavy hits. The machine of the season captain had to water as a result. The torpedo of the machine Barth met amidships but a 6,500 ton steamer, who sank affiliated after just 60 seconds. After heavy fighting with the forces of nature of the crew Dyrchs the own aircraft again to get ready to go and to join the trip. Could the three sinking successes of the season this day at least 20,000 ton of enemy vessel space will be sunk. Thus, the season in the second half of the year 1940 reached a total tonnage of sinking of 124.00 GRT, what was called the 20.10.1940 in the Wehrmachtbericht. Immediately after the sinking by Oberleutnant Barth, his Group Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Lessing Knight's cross had submitted him. Reason for the proposal to the ceremony was the sinking of 36,000 tons of enemy commercial shipping space by Barth himself. When the aircraft landed Barth, the base crews were ready already, to stick the self made Knight's cross around his neck, which was confirmed by phone awarded. The official ceremony of Karl Barth, as first lieutenant of the reserve and pilots in the 3rd season of the coast pilot group 506 was then on the 14.12.1940. Barth stayed probably some time with its season. So he flew out and others with this from Stavanger numerous inserts. Here, she flew also reconnaissance missions for their own ships for the trade war in the Atlantic. So, the squadron supported e.g. running the Raider "CORMORANT". On the 25.02.1942, the squadron moved to Westerland or Leeuwarden and flew the missions in the channel or in the East - and North Sea from there. So, he undertakes an attack on an English factory for example on the 18.08.1941. Only succeeded after shaking off an enemy night Hunter to drop bombs on the southern gas company to him. These two halls were given heavy hits. Still, Barth sighted a Soviet Minesweeper for example on the 25.09.1941 during a morning mission. Barth attacked him and could install two direct hits. The Minesweeper withered away immediately. Barth is put into the rest of his career to the Kampfgeschwader 26. This was done probably within the framework of the renaming of the battle group 506 in II Group of 26 KG. With this he is s you used in the Mediterranean region. In November 1943, moved the squadron in the room Grossetto in Tuscany and flying missions against Allied ships there. Especially, the pilots flying missions against "Operation torch", the landing of Americans in Algeria. Karl Barth while crashed on the 09.11.1942 as a squadron commander of the 6th season of the fighter squadron 26 over the Western Mediterranean and since then is considered missing.

Awards

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen


 * Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse


 * Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse


 * Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg


 * Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on December 14th, 1940 as Oberleutnant zur See and Flugzeugführer in the 3./Küstenflieger-Gruppe 506


 * Beobachterabzeichen (Wehrmacht) on September 15th, 1935


 * Frontflugspange für Aufklärer in Silber on March 30th, 1941


 * Frontflugspange für Aufklärer in Gold on June 3rd, 1941


 * Ehrenpokal der Flieger on February 16th, 1942