1. Hans-Karl Stepp was a German ground attack pilot and wing commander during World War II.
13 Facts About Hans-Karl Stepp
1. 2.
Hans-Karl Stepp was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, a grade of the highest award in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.
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Hans-Karl Stepp studied eight semesters of law in Tubingen, Breslau and Munich before joining the Luftwaffe as Fahnenjunker on 6 April 1936.
4.
Hans-Karl Stepp received his commission to Leutnant on 1 January 1938.
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Hans-Karl Stepp fought in the Invasion of Poland and Battle of France in the opening phase of World War II.
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Hans-Karl Stepp was awarded the Iron Cross second and first class, the latter on 15 June 1940.
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Hans-Karl Stepp was transferred to Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 in May 1941.
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Hans-Karl Stepp became the wing's adjutant and flew with the Stabstaffel.
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Hans-Karl Stepp was awarded the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 9 September 1941 as Oberleutnant on the Eastern Front.
10.
Hans-Karl Stepp was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 15 October 1941 and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 February 1942 for 418 combat missions.
11.
On 2 March 1943 Hans-Karl Stepp was ordered to Rechlin and appointed head of the Versuchskommando fur Panzerbekampfung.
12.
On 18 May 1943 Hans-Karl Stepp was sent to StG 1 and 17 June took command of II.
13.
Hans-Karl Stepp was due to board U-234 for Japan but he did not travel.