Johannes Wiese

Johannes Wiese (7 May 1915 – 16 August 1991) was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1935 until the end of World War II on 8 May 1945. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. After the war in 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and attained the rank of Oberstleutnant. He retired on 30 November 1970.

Career
His most successful day was 5 July 1943 when he shot down twelve enemy aircraft in one mission.

Johannes Wiese was officially credited with 133 victories claimed in 480 combat missions. Additionally he had 25 more unconfirmed claims. Among his claims are 70 Il-2 Stormoviks. Soviet fighter pilots therefore greatly respected Wiese, and referred to him as the "Lion of Kuban."

On December 1, 1944, Wiese became Geschwaderkommodore of the JG 77. Only three weeks later he was severely injured when, following ejection at an altitude of more than 9000 meters after combat with British Spitfires, his parachute ruptured 80 meters above ground. He spent the rest of the winter in hospital, and was replaced as commander by Erich Leie. He surrendered to U.S. forces at the end of the war but was released from captivity only weeks later. However, Wiese spent over four years in Soviet POW camps from September 1945 onward, having been denounced by German communists.

Awards

 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (6 November 1942)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (27 September 1941)
 * 1st Class (1 May 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 5 December 1942 as Hauptmann in the I./JG 52
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 5 January 1943 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 2./JG 52
 * 418th Oak Leaves on 2 March 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./JG 52