Joachim Kirschner

Hauptmann Joachim Kirschner (7 June 1920 – 17 December 1943) was a German World War II Luftwaffe 188 victories Flying ace. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. 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.

Career
Joachim Kirschner joined the military service in the Luftwaffe on 26 August 1939. He received the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe and the German Cross in Gold afer claiming 51 aerial victories. He claimed his 150th aerial victory on 5 Juli 1943. Following his 170th aerial victory he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943. On 17 December 1943 his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 (Werknummer 20618—factory number) was shot down by a Republic P-47D Thunderbolt of the 57th Fighter Group over Croatia. He bailed out safely and landed on his parachute between villages Bjelojevići and Donje Hrasno. He was killed by a firing squad from the 29. Hrcegovacka Udarna Divizjia (29th Herzegovina Striking Division) at Metković.

Awards

 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold with Pennant
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (21 December 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 3 December 1942 as Leutnant in the 5./JG 3
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (27 January 1942)
 * 1st Class (12 April 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 23 December 1942 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 5./JG 3 "Udet"
 * 267th Oak Leaves on 2 August 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 5./JG 3 "Udet"