Hans-Joachim Birkner

October 22, 1921 (age 23)

Schönwalde

The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Birkner was credited with 117 aerial victories—that is, 117 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. Feldwebel Birkner was posted to 9. (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front in summer 1943 and recorded his first victory, a P-39 Airacobra, on 1 October. By the end of the year he had claimed 24 victories in total. Over the next few months Birkner often flew as Rottenflieger (wing man) to the high scoring aces Günther Rall and Erich Hartmann, claiming any of his victories whilst flying with them. On 15 January 1944 Birkner claimed five P-39 fighters shot down. In April, he claimed a further 29 victories, including six in one day on 19 April. In May he claimed 17 victories, including five on 30 May. In June he claimed a United States Army Air Forces (United States Army Air Force) P-51 Mustang escort fighter over Rumania on 24 June for his 92nd victory. On 1 October 1944, Birkner was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) 9./JG 52. In October Birkner claimed another 18 victories, including his 100th victory on 14 October. Birkner was killed on 14 December 1944 when he suffered engine failure landing at Krakau in a Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14. Hans-Joachim Birkner was credited with 117 victories in 284 missions, and some 121 combats. All his victories were recorded over the Eastern Front. Included in his total are at least 15 Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmoviks. Bibliography.

Hans-Joachim Birkner

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Soldier

Background

Birkner was born on 22 October 1921 at Schönwalde (East Prussia).

Career

The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Birkner was credited with 117 aerial victories—that is, 117 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. Feldwebel Birkner was posted to 9.

(JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front in summer 1943 and recorded his first victory, a P-39 Airacobra, on 1 October.

By the end of the year he had claimed 24 victories in total. Over the next few months Birkner often flew as Rottenflieger (wing man) to the high scoring aces Günther Rall and Erich Hartmann, claiming any of his victories whilst flying with them.

On 15 January 1944 Birkner claimed five P-39 fighters shot down. In April, he claimed a further 29 victories, including six in one day on 19 April.

In May he claimed 17 victories, including five on 30 May.

In June he claimed a United States Army Air Forces (United States Army Air Force) P-51 Mustang escort fighter over Rumania on 24 June for his 92nd victory. On 1 October 1944, Birkner was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) 9./JG 52. In October Birkner claimed another 18 victories, including his 100th victory on 14 October.

Birkner was killed on 14 December 1944 when he suffered engine failure landing at Krakau in a Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14.

Hans-Joachim Birkner was credited with 117 victories in 284 missions, and some 121 combats. All his victories were recorded over the Eastern Front.

Included in his total are at least 15 Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmoviks. Bibliography.

Achievements

Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 24 April 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot German Cross in Gold on 20 March 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52 Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52.

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Born

October 22, 1921

Schönwalde
Died

December 14, 1944 (aged 23)

Kraków, Kraków County, Poland
Nationality
German

Awards

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross; German Cross in Gold German Cross; Iron Cross; Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 24 April 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot German Cross in Gold on 20 March 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross; German Cross in Gold German Cross; Iron Cross; Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 24 April 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot German Cross in Gold on 20 March 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 52

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