Heinz Ebeling

Heinz Ebeling (2 January 1918 – 30 November 1987) was a Luftwaffe Staffelkapitän and flying ace during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
Heinz Ebeling was born 2 January 1918 in Karlsruhe. As a lieutenant he was posted to 8 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) in December 1939.

His first claim was a French Morane 406 shot down over Gramont on 17 May 1940 and two Hurricanes in late May. He claimed a Caudron C.714 of GC I/145 (Groupe de Chasse) on 9 June. By the end of the French campaign, he had claimed 5 victories. During the initial stages of the Battle of Britain against the Royal Air Force (RAF), Ebeling shot down 10 British fighters in August 1940, including three victories on 12 August and two more on 15 August. Oberleutnant Ebeling was made Staffelkapitän of 9./JG 26 on 22 August 1940. On 31 August Ebeling shot down a Hawker Hurricane of No. 56 Squadron RAF north of London, although his Bf 109 'Emil' was itself damaged in the radiator. Ebeling managed to nurse the damaged aircraft as far as the Channel where he bailed out and was rescued by German air-sea rescue seaplane. Returning to combat later the same day, Ebeling shot down 2 more Hurricanes, both of No. 85 Squadron RAF.

After claiming 3 further victories in September 1940, 9./JG 26 were converted to a 'Jabo' fighter bomber role. Ebeling led the Staffel on many fighter-bomber missions over England.

On 5 November 1940 Ebeling collided with his wingman Fw. Walter Braun over Dungeness, both pilots becoming prisoners for the rest of the war. Ebeling was awarded the Ritterkreuz on this day for 18 victories in 163 missions.

Ebeling died on 30 November 1987 at Obsteig in Tirol.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 November 1940 as Leutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 9./Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"