Career
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. Operating as a night fighter ace, he was credited with 46 victories, of which 45 were four-engine bombers. Leutnant Augenstein first served with 3. during mid 1942.
He claimed his first victory on the night of 31 July-1 August, a Vickers Wellington downed near Ahlhorn.
In late 1942, Augenstein transferred to 7 staffel. During 1944 Augenstein claimed 42 victories.
On the night of 7 December 1944, Augenstein’s Bf 110 G-4 was shot down near Münster-Handorf by a Mosquito night fighter of the Fighter Interception Unit, flown by Royal Air Force ace F/L Emergency Hedgecoe Distinguished Flying Cross. Augenstein and his Bordfunker Gunther Steins were killed but his Bordschütze Uzz. Kurt Schmidt baled out unhurt.
Hans-Heinz Augenstein was credited with 46 victories, all recorded at night and including 45 four-engine bombers.
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