Karl-Heinz Leesmann

Karl-Heinz Leesmann
Born 3 May 1915
Osnabrück
Died 25 July 1943(1943-07-25) (aged 28)
over Heligoland in the North Sea
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service 1936–1943
Rank Major
Unit JG 52
JG 1
Commands held I./JG 52
III./JG 1
Battles/wars

World War II
Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Karl-Heinz Leesmann (3 May 1915 – 25 July 1943) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Karl-Heinz Leesmann was shot down on 25 July 1943, by a B-17 bomber that he was attacking. During his career he was credited with 37 aerial victories, 27 on the Western Front and 10 on the Eastern Front.

Contents

Awards

Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
Wednesday, 2 July 1941 Hauptmann Balthasar errang am 26. Juni seinen 39. und 40., Leutnant Leesmann am 30. Juni seinen 21. und 22. Luftsieg.[2] Captain Balthasar on 26 June achieved his 39th and 40th, Second Lieutenant Leesmann on 30 June his 21st and 22nd aerial victory.

References

Citations
  1. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 235.
  2. ^ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, p. 602.
Bibliography
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939–1945 (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 3-87341-065-6.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. and Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941–1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II. Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 3-931533-45-X.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Spick, Mike (1996). Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. New York: Ivy Books. ISBN 0-8041-1696-2.
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 1, 1. September 1939 bis 31. Dezember 1941 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Hauptmann Wolfgang Ewald		 Commander of I. Jagdgeschwader 52
25 May 1941 – 6 November 1941		 Succeeded by
Oberleutnant Carl Lommel
Preceded by
Major Walter Spies		 Commander of II. Jagdgeschwader 1
1 April 1943 – 25 July 1943		 Succeeded by
Hauptmann Robert Olejnik