Walther Wever (pilot)

Walther Wever (16 January 1923 – 10 April 1945) was a German Luftwaffe flying ace during the Second World War. The son of former Chief of the Luftwaffe General Walther Wever, Wever served during 1943 on the Eastern Front and from 19 June 1943 until 10 April 1945 he claimed 44 kills from 250 missions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes).

Career
Notable landmarks during this career include his 10th kill on 1 September, followed four days later by shooting down three Il-2 Sturmoviks in five minutes. On 29 March 1944 he claimed a further five kills, then on 24 June he shot down his 40th kill, and on 10 July Wever lost a foot after being himself shot down by Russian forces on the ground. Nevertheless, Wever continued to fly and was decorated on 28 January 1945 for reaching the final total of 44 kills, before transfer to a new combat group and further training on the Me 262. On 10 April 1945, having not scored another kill, Wever was shot down and killed by Allied fighters near Neuruppin.

Awards and decorations

 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (20 March 1944)
 * German Cross in Gold (20 March 1944)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 28 January 1945 as Leutnant and pilot in the 3./JG 51 "Mölders"