19 Facts About Horst Hannig

Horst Hannig was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and posthumous recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II.

Horst Hannig was killed in action following combat with Royal Air Force Supermarine Spitfire fighters on 15 May 1943.

Horst Hannig was born on 13 November 1921 in Frankenstein, present-day Zabkowice Slaskie, at the time in Lower Silesia.

Horst Hannig was the son of a secretary of justice.

Horst Hannig had a brother Walter who received the German Cross in Gold on 28 April 1943 as an observer with Aufklarungsgruppe 4.

That day, Horst Hannig claimed his first aerial victory, a Tupolev SB-2 bomber.

Two days later they moved to Dunaburg, present-day Daugavpils, where Horst Hannig claimed an Ilyushin DB-3 bomber shot down.

In late March and April 1942, Horst Hannig claimed further twelve aerial victories, increasing his total to 48 aerial victories claimed.

On 9 May 1942, Leutnant Horst Hannig was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross having flown over 200 operations and claiming 48 victories.

In consequence, Horst Hannig succeeded Wandel as Staffelkapitan of 5.

Horst Hannig was then transferred to the Western Front and command of 5.

On 27 January 1943, Horst Hannig was appointed Staffelkapitan of 2.

Horst Hannig replaced Oberleutnant Christian Eickhoff who had been killed in action the day before.

Horst Hannig was credited with the destruction of a Spitfire shot down east of Troarn, his 98th aerial victory.

Horst Hannig's victor was Squadron Leader J Charles leading Yellow Section of No 611 Squadron.

Horst Hannig had managed to bail out but his parachute failed to open.

Horst Hannig was posthumously awarded the 364th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 3 January 1944 and posthumously promoted to Oberleutnant.

Horst Hannig was interred at the Saint-Desir-de-Lisieux German war cemetery.

Horst Hannig was succeeded by Oberleutnant Karl Haberland as commander of 2.