Johannes Wiese
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| Johannes Wiese | |
|---|---|
| 7 May 1915 — 16 August 1991 (aged 76) | |
 Johannes Wiese |
|
| Nickname | "Lion of Kuban" |
| Place of birth | Breslau, Schlesien |
| Place of death | Kirchzarten |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany |
| Service/branch | Heer (1934-1935) Luftwaffe(1935-1945), (1956-1970) |
| Years of service | 1934-1945, 1956-1970 |
| Rank | Oberst Oberstleutnant |
| Unit | JG 52, JG 77 |
| Commands held | 2./JG 52, I./JG 52, JG 77 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves |
| Other work | Bundeswehr |
Johannes Wiese (7 May 1915 - 16 August 1991) was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1935 until the end of World War II on 8 May 1945. After the war in 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and attained the rank of Oberstleutnant. He retired on 30 November 1970.
His most successful day was 5 July 1943 when he shot down twelve enemy aircraft in one mission.[1]
Johannes Wiese was officially credited with 133 victories claimed in 480 combat missions. Additionally he had 25 more unconfirmed claims.[1] Among his claims are 70 Il-2 Stormoviks. Soviet fighter pilots therefore greatly respected Wiese, and referred to him as the "Lion of the Kuban."
On December 1, 1944, Wiese became Geschwaderkommodore of the JG 77. Only three weeks later he was severely injured when, following ejection at an altitude of more than 9000 meters after combat with British Spitfires, his parachute ruptured 80 meters above ground. He spent the rest of the winter in hospital, and was replaced as commander by Erich Leie. He surrendered to U.S. forces at the end of the war but was released from captivity only weeks later. However, Wiese spent over four years in Soviet POW camps from September 1945 onward, having been denounced by German communists.
[edit] Awards
- Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (6 November 1941)
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
- German Cross in Gold (8 February 1943)
- Iron Cross 2. and 1. class
- Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross (5 January 1943)
- 418. Oak Leaves (2 March 1944)
[edit] References
- Aces of the Luftwaffe. Johannes Wiese. Retrieved on 7 May 2007.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Schaulen, Fritjof. Eichenlaubträger 1940-1940 Band III Radusch-Zwernemann. Pour le Mérite, 2005. ISBN 3-932381-22-X.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Oberstleutnant Johannes Steinhoff |
Commander of Jagdgeschwader 77 Herz As December 1, 1944-December 25, 1944 |
Succeeded by Major Siegfried Freytag |
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