Hans Hahn (night fighter pilot)
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Hans Hahn (21 February 1919 – 11 October 1941) was a Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II; his was the first awarded to a night fighter.[1]
Nazi GermanyHans Hahn | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 February 1919 |
| Died | 11 October 1941 (aged 22) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Branch |  Luftwaffe |
Service years | 1940–1941 |
Rank | Leutnant (second lieutenant) |
| Unit | NJG 2 |
Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Death
Hans Hahn was killed near Grantham, England, on 11 October 1941 after his JU 88 collided with a RAF Oxford trainer aircraft he targeted. He is buried at Cannock Chase German war cemetery.[2]
Summary of career
Aerial victory claims
During his career he claimed twelve aerial victories, all of them at night.[Note 1]
Most successful Night Fighter pilot until his death. On five occasions, he returned to his base at Gilze-Rijen on one engine. Once he returned with a balloon cable wrapped around his wing in his C-4.[1]
| Chronicle of aerial victories | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claim | Date | Time | Type | Location | Serial No./Squadron No. | |
| – 3. Staffel of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 – | ||||||
| 1 | 24 October 1940 | 23:02 | Wellington | vicinity of Linton-on-Ouse[3] | ||
| 2 | 2 January 1941 | 19:00 | Whitley | 50 km (31 mi) east of Withernsea[4] | ||
| 3 | 13 March 1941 | 01:15 | Hudson | vicinity of Leeming[5] | ||
| 4 | 13 March 1941 | 22:00 | Blenheim | vicinity of Waddington[5] | ||
| 5 | 8 April 1941 | 01:43 | Hereford | Wellingore[6] | ||
| 6 | 9 April 1941 | 00:40 | Wellington | vicinity of Upwood[6] | ||
| 7 | 17 April 1941 | 01:22 | Hampden | southeast of Waddington[6] | ||
| 8 | 21 April 1941 | 03:30 | Hereford | vicinity of Digby[6] | ||
| 9 | 3 May 1941 | 01:20 | Stirling | vicinity of Oakington[7] | ||
| 10 | 4 May 1941 | 03:10 | Fulmar | Stoke Holy Cross[7] | ||
| 11 | 5 May 1941 | 01:12 | Blenheim | vicinity of Feltwell[7] | ||
| 13 | 12/13 October 1941 | — |
Oxford | vicinity of Grantham[8] | Oxford AB767/No. 12 Flying Training School RAF[9] | |
Awards
- Aviator badge
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 July 1941 as Leutnant and pilot in the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2[10][Note 2]
Notes
- For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces
