Gustav Sprick | |
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Nickname | “Micky” |
Born | 29 November 1917 Biemsen, Germany |
Died | 28 June 1941 Holque, France |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
Years of service | 1935–1941 |
Rank | Oberleutnant |
Unit | JG 26 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Gustav "Micky" Sprick (29 November 1917 – 28 June 1941) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Sprick was credited with 31 victories in 192 missions. All his victories were recorded over the Western front.
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At the beginning of World War ІІ, Sprick was posted to JG 26 on 23 September 1939. Leutnant Sprick shot down his first enemy aircraft on 10 May 1940, a Dutch Fokker T-5 twin-engined bomber over Breda during the Battle of France. Sprick was very successful during the French campaign having accrued nine victories by the fall of France. However, on 14 June he was shot down, near Évreux, by Royal Air Force (RAF) Hurricane fighters after claiming one of their number. He gained 11 victories in the Battle of Britain. He was one of the leading aces of the battle.
He was awarded the Ritterkreuz (Knights Cross) on 1 October after gaining his 20th victory. By the end of 1940 his score had increased to 24.
While engaged in a dogfight with RAF Spitfires the right wing of his Bf 109 F-2 collapsed and he plunged to his death near Holque, France.
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