Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Semrau was credited with 46 nocturnal aerial victories, claimed in 350 combat missions. Paul Semrau joined the long distance night fighter service (Fernnachtjagd) as a former destroyer pilot (Zerstörer) of Kampfgeschwader 30 (Knight of the Order of the Garter 30—30th Bomber Wing) in July 1940.
He took command of the 3rd Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2—2nd Night Fighter Wing) in the fall of 1940.
He fought in the Battle of Britain and in the Siege of Malta. Promoted to Major, he took command of the 4th Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6—6th Night Fighter Wing) in June 1943.
After two months he was transferred again, taking command of the 3rd Gruppe of NJG 2. In November 1944 he became the Geschwaderkommodore of NJG 2.
He was shot down on 8th of february
1945 and killed in action on factory flight with his crew, Oberfeldwebel Hantusch and Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Behrens, of Junkers Ju 88 G-6 (Werknummer 620 562 — factory number) when he was intercepted during the landing approach at Fliegerhorst Twente by F/Lieutenant King’s Scholar Sleep of Number. 402 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force on 8 February 1945. The aircraft of Semrau came down between Fliegerhorst Twente and Oldenzaal (Holland) Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht Bibliography.