Wilhelm Lemke

Wilhelm Lemke (27 September 1920 – 4 December 1943) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II. Lemke was credited with 131 aerial victories—that is, 131 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. All but six of his victories were claimed over the Soviet Air Forces in over 700 combat missions. (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. Lemke was killed in action with United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters on 4 December 1943.

Military career
Wilhelm Lemke was born on 27 September 1920 in Gundelsdorf near Arnswalde, today Choszczno in Poland, then in the Free State of Prussia of the Weimar Republic. He joined the military service of the Luftwaffe as a Fahnenjunker (cadet) in November 1939.

Lemke was killed in action on 4 December 1943 at Dodewaard, 18 km west Nijmegen. He was shot down by P-47 Thunderbolts of the 352nd Fighter Group, United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (4 July 1941)
 * 1st Class (20 July 1941)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 3 November 1941 as Leutnant and pilot
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 12 September 1942 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 9./JG 3 "Udet"
 * 338th Oak Leaves on 25 November 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./JG 3 "Udet"