Paul Semrau

Paul Semrau (12 November 1915 – 8 February 1945) was a Luftwaffe night fighter flying ace of World War II. 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. Semrau was credited with 46 nocturnal aerial victories, claimed in 350 combat missions.

Career
Paul Semrau joined the long distance night fighter service (Fernnachtjagd) as a former destroyer pilot (Zerstörer) of Kampfgeschwader 30 (KG 30—30th Bomber Wing) in July 1940. He took command of the 3rd Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2—2nd Night Fighter Wing) in the fall of 1940. He fought in the Battle of Britain and in the Siege of Malta. Hauptmann Semrau received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after 160 missions on 7 October 1942. Promoted to Major, he took command of the 4th Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6—6th Night Fighter Wing) in June 1943. After two months he was transferred again, taking command of the 3rd Gruppe of NJG 2. In November 1944 he became the Geschwaderkommodore of NJG 2. He was shot down and killed in action on factory flight with his crew, Oberfeldwebel Hantusch and Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Behrens, of Junkers Ju 88 G-6 (Werknummer 620 562 &mdash; factory number) when he was intercepted during the landing approach at Coesfeld by F/Lt K.S. Sleep of No. 402 Squadron RCAF on 8 February 1945.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (17 May 1941)
 * 1st Class (12 June 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold on 24 April 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 3./NJG 2
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 7 October 1942 as Staffelkapitän and Hauptmann of the 3./NJG 2
 * 841st Oak Leaves on 17 April 1945 (posthumously) as Major and 'Gruppenkommandeur of the I./NJG 2
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht