Hans Bei%C3%9Fwenger

Hans Beiwenger was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. In 500160combat missions, Beiwenger was credited with 152160victories, making him the 34th highestscoring Luftwaffe fighter pilot of World War II. He was aceinaday twice, shooting down five aircraft on a single day. He claimed all but one of his victories over the Eastern Front. He was reported missing in action in March 1943.

Beiwenger was born on 8160November 1916 at Mittelfischach ber Sulzbach in the district of Schwbisch Hall in Wrttemberg. He was the son of Volksschule, a combined primary and lower secondary school, teacher. Following his graduation, he volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe onNovember 1937, initially serving with the Flak artillery. He was assigned to the 8th battery of FlakRegimentin Gppingen, where he received his basic military training. OnApril 1938, he was posted to a Jagdfliegerschule for flight and fighter pilot training. In October 1940, more than one year after the start of World War II, Beiwenger was transferred to the II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 . He was promoted to Leutnant of the Reserves onNovember 1940.

Source: Wikipedia