Career
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Horst-Günther von Fassong participated in Operation Bodenplatte and was last seen on 1 January 1945 engaged in aerial combat near Maastricht.
Unteroffizier Armin Mehling, Von Fassong"s wingman, reported that Von Fassong was shot down by two P-47 Thunderbolts over Asch flying a Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-8 (Werknummer 682 792—factory number).
The flight was flying at a height of 15 to 20 metres (49 to 66 ft) when they were pounced upon by six P-47s. Von Fassong"s aircraft was hit and burned immediately.
The aircraft crashed in a big ball of flames. Bibliography.
