Helmut Lent
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| Helmut Lent | |
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| June 13, 1918 – October 7, 1944 | |
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| Place of birth | Pyrehne in Landsberg |
| Place of death | Paderborn |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1936 - 1944 |
| Rank | Oberst |
| Unit | ZG 76, NJG 1, NJG 2, NJG 3 |
| Commands | IV./NJG 1, II./NJG 2, NJG 3 |
| Battles/wars | Invasion of Poland (1939) Norwegian Campaign |
| Awards | Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwerten und Brillianten |
Helmut Lent (June 13, 1918 - October 7, 1944) was an "Ace" German fighter pilot of World War II, and one of only 27 people awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.
[edit] Biography
Lent was born in Pyrehne, Kreis Landsberg (now part of Poland), the son of a clergyman.
In 1936 he volunteered for the Luftwaffe and after training was posted as a Me-110 pilot. In 1938, he joined 3 Staffel, Zerstörergeschwader 76. He served with this Staffel at the beginning of World War II in the campaign against Poland. On 2 September 1939 he claimed one of the first air-victories of the war.
After the fall of Poland, ZG 76 was assigned to defend the German coastline on the North Sea. Here, Lent claimed two victories against attacking Vickers Wellingtons on 18 December 1939. During the invasion of Norway, he scored four more kills (one Norwegian and two RAF Gloster Gladiators, and a Short Sunderland flying boat).
His career as a nightfighter commenced in August 1940, when he became Staffelkapitän of the newly formed 6./NJG 1. On the night 11-12 May 1941, Lent claimed two aircraft shot down. 30 August 1941 he was awarded the Ritterkreuz for 7 daytime and 14 night victories.
On 1 November 1941, Lent became Gruppenkommandeur of the new II./NJG 2. One week later, he celebrated his 20th victory. When his score reached 42, he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. By the end of 1942, Lent had 56 victories and was the top German night-fighter.
After 73 kills, he was awarded the Swords to the Knight's Cross, and on 2 August 1943 he was appointed Kommodore of NJG 3. His promotion to Major was announced shortly before.
In January 1944 Lent downed three 'heavies' in one night, but his plane was damaged by return fire, causing a forced landing. He used just 22 cannon shells in downing 2 bombers on the night of the 22-23 March 1944, and against 3 Avro Lancasters on 15-16 June he fired only 57 rounds in seven minutes.
Promoted to Oberstleutnant, he was awarded the Diamonds in recognition of his 110 confirmed air kills, the first night-fighter awarded the decoration.
On the 5 October 1944, Lent flew his Junkers Ju-88 G-6, coded D5+AA, to Paderborn. During the landing approach, the left engine of the plane failed and the plane hit high-voltage cables. In the ensuing crash, two of his crewmen died instantly. His radio-operator for many years, Leutnant Kubisch, died the next day. Lent himself died on 7 October 1944.
Helmut Lent is officially credited with 110 victories in 507 flights. The total includes 103 victories at night, with 59 four-engine bombers and one Mosquito destroyed.
[edit] Awards
- Wound Badge
- Iron Cross 2. and 1. class
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (26 June 1941)
- German Cross in Gold (9 April 1942)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
- Knight's Cross (20 August 1941)
- Oak Leaves (6 June 1942)
- Swords (2 August 1943)
- Diamonds (31 July 1944)
[edit] External links
- Detailed biographical information on Helmut Lent can be found here.
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Werner Mölders | Adolf Galland | Gordon Gollob | Hans-Joachim Marseille | Hermann Graf | Erwin Rommel | Wolfgang Lüth | Walter Nowotny | Adelbert Schulz | Hans-Ulrich Rudel | Hyazinth Graf von Strachwitz | Herbert Otto Gille | Hans-Valentin Hube | Albert Kesselring | Helmut Lent | Sepp Dietrich | Walter Model | Erich Hartmann | Hermann Balck | Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke | Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer | Albrecht Brandi |
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