Wilhelm Crinius
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| Wilhelm Crinius | |
|---|---|
| 1 December 1920 – 26 April 1997 | |
 Wilhelm Crinius |
|
| Place of birth | Hohenhausen in Kalletal |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
| Rank | Leutnant |
| Unit | JG 53 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves |
Wilhelm Crinius (born 1 December 1920 in Hohenhausen, Kalletal, died 26 April 1997) is a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
On 13 January 1943 Crinius engaged in aerial combat with RAF Supermarine Spitfire fighters near El Kala, Crinius’ aircraft was hit and he was wounded in the thigh. Breaking off combat, he headed for his base but his engine then caught fire. He ditched his damaged Bf 109 G-2 (W.Nr. 10805) in the sea. He spent 24 hours in the water before being rescued by French sailors and Arabs. After hospitalisation for his wounds, Crinius became a prisoner of war.
Wilhelm Crinius is credited with 114 victories claimed in approximately 400 combat missions. He recorded 100 victories over the Eastern front. Of his 14 victories claimed over the Western front, one was a four-engined bomber.
[edit] Awards
- Iron Cross 2. and 1. class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross (23 September 1942)
- 127. Oak Leaves (23 September 1942)
[edit] References
- Ritterkreuzträger 1939-1945. Wilhelm Crinius. Retrieved on 6 June 2007.
- Aces of the Luftwaffe. Wilhelm Crinius. Retrieved on 6 June 2007.
- Lexikon der Wehrmacht. Wilhelm Crinius. Retrieved on 6 June 2007.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
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