Heinrich Bartels was an Austrian-born German fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe and fought during World War II.
17 Facts About Heinrich Bartels
1.
2.
Heinrich Bartels was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" on the Channel Front which was tasked with intercepting Royal Air Force incursions over occupied France and Belgium.
3.
Heinrich Bartels achieved his first aerial victory in August 1941.
4.
Heinrich Bartels was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 5 on the Eastern Front where he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for 46 aerial victories.
5.
In 1943 Heinrich Bartels moved to Jagdgeschwader 27 "Afrika" to serve in the Mediterranean and Balkans theatres and by the years end had 73 victories.
6.
On 23 December 1944, while supporting German forces in the Battle of the Bulge Heinrich Bartels was shot down by United States Army Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts belonging to the US 56th Fighter Group after achieving his 99th aerial victory and he was posted missing in action.
7.
Staffel had combat with 20 Hurricane fighters near Ura-Guba during the course of which Heinrich Bartels claimed three Hurricanes shot down.
8.
Heinrich Bartels claimed six aerial victories on two separate combat missions, including four Hurricanes and two MiG-3 fighters in the vicinity of Murmashi.
9.
Heinrich Bartels received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after 46 aerial victories on 13 November 1942.
10.
In early 1943, Heinrich Bartels was transferred due to disciplinary reasons.
11.
The intoxicated Heinrich Bartels then attempted to drive a truck, was caught in the act by a fellow soldier who hit Heinrich Bartels in the face.
12.
Heinrich Bartels pursued the soldier only to get into a fight with another soldier.
13.
The events pinnacled when Heinrich Bartels made a donkey empty its bladder into the company sergeant major's bed.
14.
Between Stari Bar and Cape of Rodon the Gruppe engaged in combat with P-38 fighters of which Heinrich Bartels shot down four of the USAAF fighters.
15.
Heinrich Bartels claimed his 70th aerial victory on 15 November 1943.
16.
Gruppe claimed 60 aerial victories, including eleven by Heinrich Bartels, making him the most successful pilot of the unit.
17.
On 23 December 1944, Heinrich Bartels took off for his last and fatal mission.