Background
Geiger was born on 6 May 1920 in Überlingen, near Lake Constance.
Geiger was born on 6 May 1920 in Überlingen, near Lake Constance.
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. Geiger joined the Luftwaffe in late 1939 and was posted in mid-1941 as Leutnant to 8. (NJG 1). Geiger"s first two claims were a Vickers Wellington and a Armstrong Whitworth Whitley on 26 June 1942.
In early 1943 Geiger was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) and transferred to a 7./NJG 1, becoming Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) in May 1943, with some 40 confirmed victories.
On 29 September 1943 he was shot down by the Beaufighter VI of West/C Bob Braham of Number. 141 Squadron Royal Air Force over the Zuiderzee, Netherlands.
Gieger managed to bail out of his Messerschmitt Bf-110 G but was drowned when his parachute dragged him under. He was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight"s Cross on 2 March 1944.
In 328 combat missions, Geiger claimed 53 aerial victories, all of them at night.
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