Heinz Schmidt
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| Heinz Schmidt | |
|---|---|
| 20 April 1920 – 5 September 1943 (aged 23) | |
| Nickname | Johnny |
| Place of birth | Bad Homburg |
| Place of death | near Markor, southern Russia |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1938-1943 |
| Rank | Hauptmann |
| Unit | JG 52 |
| Commands held | 6./JG 52 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Heinz Schmidt (20 April 1920 – 5 September 1943) was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Heinz Schmidt was born on 20 April 1920 in Bad Homburg and joined the Luftwaffe on 10 November 1938. After he completed his basic training and fighter pilot training he was assigned to the 2nd Staffel of the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe in Merseburg.
From here he was posted to 4./JG 52 in August 1940. JG 52 at that time was engaged in the Battle of Britain. For a short time Schmidt was acting Staffelführer of 5./JG 52 but returned to the 4. Staffel and was promoted to Feldwebel on 1 April 1941.
Beginning in June 1941 Schmidt participated in Operation Barbarossa on the Eastern Front. He was promoted to Oberfeldwebel on 27 August 1941. Schmidt crash landed behind Russian lines in October 1941. He returned to the German lines six days later.
Promoted to Leutnant on 1 February 1942, he received the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 6 July 1942, followed by his promotion to Oberleutnant on 1 August 1942.
He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for 51 aerial victories on 23 August 1942. Within only three more weeks he was able to claim an addition 51 victories, for which he was honored with the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross.
In February 1943 he was again shot down behind Russian lines but returned after a two-day trek across the frozen Sea of Azov minus one fur-lined flying boot and with a smashed shoulder.[1] He was put in command of 6./JG 52 on 16 September 1943.
Heinz Schmidt is posted as missing in action after aerial combat near Markor on 5 September 1943. He was reportedly shot down in error by a Hungarian fighter.[1] He is credited with 173 aerial victories achieved in 712 combat missions and was posthumously promoted to Hauptmann.
[edit] Summary of career
[edit] Decorations
| • | Flugzeugführerabzeichen (Pilots Badge) |
| • 22 October 1940: | Iron Cross Second Class |
| • 9 November 1940: | Iron Cross First Class |
| • 22 August 1941: | Frontflug-Spange für Jäger in Gold |
| • 6 July 1942: | Honorary Cup of the Luftwaffe |
| • 20 August 1942: | German Cross in Gold |
| • 23 August 1942: | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| • 30 August 1942: | Medaille "Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42" |
| • 16 September 1942: | 124. Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
| • 12 December 1942: | Frontflug-Spange für Jäger in Gold mit Anhänger (front flying clasp in Gold with pendant for fighters) |
[edit] Dates of rank
| 1 December 1939: | Gefreiter |
| 1 October 1940: | Obergefreiter |
| 1 December 1940: | Unteroffizier |
| 1 April 1941: | Feldwebel |
| 27 August 1941: | Oberfeldwebel |
| 1 February 1942: | Leutnant |
| 1 August 1942: | Oberleutnant |
[edit] References
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Weal, John. Aviation Elite Units - Jagdgeschwader 52 The Experten. Osprey Publishing Limited, 2004. ISBN 1-84176-786-7
